How to Use Russian-Style Tips the Correct Way

Let’s get the most out of our Russian-style piping tips! These specialty tips make it easy to quickly pipe buttercream flowers in a variety of shapes. They can be challenging to use at first, but with these 6 tips you’ll see great results right away!

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USE LARGER PIPING BAGS

First, you'll want to use 16-inch decorating bags with Russian style piping tips instead of 12-inch decorating bags. These tips are larger and require more icing than your typical piping tips. Sixteen-inch decorating bags will give you the extra space when working with these tips.

BE MINDFUL OF ICING THICKNESS

The second tip involves using the right icing consistency. The icing should be smooth but not too soft. It should hold its shape. If you need to thicken your buttercream, add one tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time. To loosen buttercream that's too thick, all you need is a little bit of water or whatever liquid ingredient your recipe called for (i.e. cream, milk, etc.).

MIX ICING COLORS TO CREATE VISUAL INTEREST

The third tip is to consider using more than one color of icing. I have pink and purple icing that I'll use to stripe my bag. First, I fill a piping bag with pink icing and press the icing to the end of the piping bag. Next, I use an offset spatula to spread the purple icing around the inside edge of my decorating bag. Next, I squeeze the pink icing into the center of my bag. Consider using white and a second color to really make your pipe decorations stand out.

HOLD THE PIPING BAG AND TIP VERTICALLY

Fourth, because the ends of the Russian tips are flat, you'll want to hold your bag completely vertical like this, and never at an angle when piping.

WIPE THE END OF THE TIP CLEAN BEFORE PIPING

Fifth tip, before you start piping, press all the icing to the end of the nozzle. Avoid taking the icing past the openings. If this happens, simply clear the end of the tip with a paper towel. This is a great way to start!

PRACTICE, PRATICE, PRATICE!

The final tip is to practice a few decorations to get the sense of how hard and how long you need to squeeze to achieve the decoration.