Blue Swirl Cupcakes

How to make my
Blue Swirl Cupcakes

Learning to pipe a classic large rosette swirl is an extremely useful skill in cake and cupcake decorating.
Mix up the colors and sprinkles to make these match any party or theme!

What You Need

Find links for supplies and materials at the bottom of this page
Cupcake liners/wrappers
Cupcake pan
Recipes for your favorite cake and buttercream frosting (find all my recipes HERE), or mixes
Cookie scoop
Gel coloring - blue
Piping bag
Piping tip 828 or other large open star tip
Colorful sprinkles

Step 1: Baking Cupcakes

Mix up your favorite cupcake recipe (find all my recipes HERE) or as per package directions if using boxed mix. Optional: add rainbow jimmies sprinkles to batter to make rainbow confetti cupcakes.

Add cupcake liners to cupcake pan and scoop batter into liners 1/2 to 2/3 full.

Bake as directed by recipe or mix instructions. Cupcakes will be done once a toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool completely before decorating. May store in freezer in airtight container if decorating later.

Step 2: Making Buttercream Frosting

Mix your favorite buttercream frosting (find all my recipes HERE) stand mixer or hand mixer on low to medium speed, or use prepackaged frosting if desired.

Stir 6-8 drops of royal blue gel coloring into buttercream. Color will deepen with time, so buttercream may be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Add coloring or make multiple buttercream colors if desired. Add 2 tsp powdered sugar to buttercream frosting to stiffen the consistency slightly.

If refrigerating, allow buttercream to warm up a bit at room temperature before using to make piping easier. Keep covered until ready to use. Stir well just prior to using to press out air bubbles.

Step 3: Preparing to Decorate

I used Ateco tip 828 for these cupcakes, but any large open star tip with multiple prongs will give a similar effect.

Place the metal piping tip into the piping bag, and cut the tip of the bag off so that the tip is sticking through the end of the bag, but still stays in place. Fill this bag with the royal blue buttercream.

Step 4: Piping a Buttercream Rosette Swirl

If this is a new piping style for you, I've found it helpful to try piping a couple of practice swirls back into the buttercream bowl (you can stir this and use it after practicing) to determine if you are more comfortable piping in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

To pipe the swirl, start in the center of the cupcake and squeeze with light to medium pressure to attach the buttercream to the cupcake. Maintaining this pressure, move your hand in a spiral around the center until the cupcake is covered. Finish by gradually easing up and then stopping pressure at the end of the spiral (see video).

Step 5: Adding Sprinkles

Choose a sprinkle mix (or mix a few different sprinkle colors together) - both coordinating or contrasting colors will have fun, different looks!

Add these to “tails” of swirls or wherever desired on your cupcakes.

Supplies and Materials Links

Recipes for cupcakes and buttercream frostings
Gel coloring: Chefmaster Liqua-Gel or Americolor Gel-Paste: Amazon Storefront
Cupcake pans: Wilton: Amazon Storefront
Cupcake liners: Mr Miracle: Amazon Storefront
Tip 828: Ateco: Amazon Storefront
Piping bags and other tips: Ateco, Wilton, and various brands: Amazon Storefront
Sprinkles: Sweets & Treats, SprinklePop, SimplySucre, and various brands: Amazon Storefront

I would love to see your cupcakes!
Tag me @erin.cakesandcupcakes on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!

Want to create this cake and receive a copy of the video tutorial, PDF step-by-step instructions, and all supplies and materials together? Check out my DIY kit for this cake HERE!

Note: purchases made from links on this page may result in my earning a commission.

How to make my Blue Swirl Cupcakes