How to pipe a simple rainbow cupcake swirl

Rainbow cakes and cupcakes are incredibly popular at the moment and have been for quite some time with no sign of slowing down. They are so popular that I’ve dedicated an entire playlist to rainbow-themed Food on my YouTube channel, full of rainbow inspiration. So, no doubt that this article about preparing and properly using the rainbow cupcake swirl will be a hit!

Therefore, with no further introductions, today I’m sharing with you a super easy, fuss-free method of achieving a simple rainbow swirl, using 3 colors of frosting and just one piping bag.

However, you can watch the full comprehensive video tutorial below, or you can read on for step-by-step instructions and the ingredients and tools list. Any of these two options is explanatory enough for any junior cooker.

Tools, Equipment and Ingredients:

• Piping bag;
• Star piping tip;
• 3 Teaspoons;
• 1 Tablespoon;
• 3 Bowls;
• Buttercream frosting;
• Cupcakes to frost – whatever flavour you like;
• Food colour – I used liquid colours, blue, yellow and pink but you can use any type of colouring you like.

You can use a round piping tip for a smooth swirl effect, a star shape like I’ve used for a sundae style swirl, and of course, you can change the colors to suit any theme or color scheme. Just imagine how incredible they would look in ombre, army camouflage, 4^th of July, and a whole lot more!

Piping Raindbow Cupcake Swirl: Steps

Finally, here are all the instructions you need in order to achieve a simple rainbow swirl, using 3 colors of frosting and just one piping bag. In addition, there are two main stages you’ll go through: first, creating the rainbow cupcake swirl and then decorating your cupcakes with it. So, let’s get it started!

Creating the Raindbow Cupcake Swirl

Step 1

Prepare your colored frosting by evenly dividing the vanilla frosting into 3 separate bowls and adding color till you reach your preferred level of brightness.

Tip: Be careful if using liquid colors as they can water down your frosting a  little. If this happens, simply add additional icing sugar and mix thoroughly to thicken the frosting back up again.

Step 2

Insert your chosen piping tip into your piping bag. Also, I prefer to use clear disposable piping bags for this, so I can see the way the colors are mixing inside the bag.

Step 3

Then, take a spoon and add the desired amount of your first color, ensuring you keep it to one side of the piping bag. In addition, keep in mind not to push the icing all the way down into the piping tip just yet.

Step 4 

Take your next spoon and add the same amount of your second color into the piping bag, touching the first color but still leaving an even amount of space for the final color.

Step 5

Add your third color, trying to keep the colors fairly even and level in the bag.

Step 6

Lay your piping bag flat and gently push the colors together with your fingertips until they just start to combine

Decorating With the Rainbow Cupcake Swirl

Step 7

Twist the end of the piping bag to seal the frosting in, and do a “test squeeze” in a spare bowl until you see all three colors appear at the end of the piping tip at the same time. Your rainbow frosting is ready to pipe!

Step 8

Starting in the center of the cupcake, make a swirl of frosting that doesn’t quite cover the edges of your cupcake.

Step 9

Continue to decorate as desired

Happy Caking!

Finally, in my opinion, these cupcakes require no additional decoration as the rainbow of colors is striking enough. However, feel free to add different toppers and sprinkles to make these gorgeous rainbow swirl cupcakes suit any occasion you like.

Last but not least, I hope you loved as much as we do this easy, fun frosting technique! Therefore, if you did, do not hesitate to show your love on our social media, by giving us likes and comments. You can even show me all your fine rainbow cupcakes!

Also, if you have any questions about this tutorial, please watch the video above. However, you don’t find your answer, feel free to comment below and I will do my best to answer.

Elise