Learn
Pipe it, spot the problem, fix it
Guides that go with the free sheets, what each nozzle makes, and the eight mistakes the scorer looks for, each with the sheet to practise on.
Guide · PrintableFree Piping Practice Sheets (Printable PDFs)
Print 12 free cake piping practice sheets for A4 or Letter, pipe on the grey shapes, then photograph the page to get a score out of 100 and your top fixes.
6 min read
Nozzle tip · RoundRound tip 3
Fine lines, dots, writing and block letters.
Nozzle tip · Open starOpen star tip 21
Shell borders, stars, reverse shells and scrolls.
Fix a mistake · Lines and dotsWobbly line
The line snakes from side to side of where you meant it to go.
Nozzle tip · RoundRound tip 5
Bolder dots, pearl borders, bead edges and thick writing.
Fix a mistake · Lines and dotsGaps and breaks
The icing stops, thins out or breaks where the template carries on.
Fix a mistake · Lines and dotsThin then thick
The bead swells and shrinks along a line or ring.
Fix a mistake · Lines and dotsDrifting off the line
The icing sits beside the template, shifted to one side.
Fix a mistake · Shells and starsDifferent sizes
Repeated units come out in different sizes or with uneven spacing.
Fix a mistake · Shells and starsPeaks on dots
Dots and stars end in a pointy peak or a tail instead of a neat finish.
Nozzle tip · Open starOpen star tip 1M
Big rosettes and swirls for cupcake tops.
Nozzle tip · Closed starClosed star tip 2D
Deep drop flowers and tall swirls.
Fix a mistake · Swirls and flowersRosette open or off-centre
The rosette has a hole in the middle, or its swirl is not centred on its circle.
Nozzle tip · PetalPetal tip 104
Ruffles, swags and rose petals.
Nozzle tip · LeafLeaf tip 352
Leaves and foliage around flowers.
Fix a mistake · Clean sheetsIcing off the template
Icing ends up where there is no template: drips, smears and test squeezes.