Making buttercream pumpkins on cakes and cupcakes

Happy November!  The weather is finally cooling off here in Texas and we have been loving all things autumn.  As I mentioned in THIS POST, my family loves to celebrate fall.  We are especially excited for all the yummy baking, and today, I wanted to show you how I make my buttercream pumpkins.

Making buttercream pumpkins on cakes and cupcakes. Caputo's Cakes.

These buttercream pumpkins are a great way to add some extra fall flair to any cake or cupcakes.  They’re easy to make, and are perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving treats.  

Making buttercream pumpkins on cakes and cupcakes. Caputo's Cakes.

What you need to make buttercream pumpkins:

  • Cake (covered in buttercream)
  • Buttercream
  • Gel food color
  • Piping bags
  • Sprinkles (optional)
  • Wilton Tip 1M (for larger pumpkin)
  • Wilton Tip 32 (for smaller pumpkin, I used this on my cupcakes)
  • Wilton Tip 18 (for stems)
Making buttercream pumpkins on cakes and cupcakes.  Caputo's Cakes.

How to make buttercream pumpkins:

  1. Separate your buttercream in 2 bowls.  Color 1 bowl orange (for the pumpkin), and the other bowl green (for the stem). 
  2. Add the orange buttercream to a piping bag with the 1M tip if you are making larger pumpkins, or tip 32 for smaller pumpkins.  Add the green buttercream to a piping bag with tip 18. 
  3. On your buttercream covered cake (or cupcake top), use your orange buttercream to pipe 3 lines upwards.  You will want these 3 lines to look somewhat like a pumpkin, I like to start with one side, and pipe this line slightly curved. Next I pipe the middle stroke, keeping it straight, and last I pipe the other side, also slightly curved. I like to have my 3 lines meet in the middle at the top, and try not to have any gaps in your pumpkin strokes. This will create your pumpkin base.
  4. Using your green buttercream, pipe a small line (for the stem) of green buttercream at the top of your 3 orange lines.  I use this stem to also cover up to top of my pumpkin, where my orange lines come together. You can curve this stem a bit, or keep it straight, don’t be afraid to play around with the piping a bit. 

Buttercream pumpkins go great on cakes, cupcakes and even sugar cookies.  If you want to practice a bit, you can tape some wax paper or parchment paper onto your counter or table and practice piping…. Have fun!

Making buttercream pumpkins on cakes and cupcakes. Caputo's Cakes.

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