When it comes to frosting cupcakes, there are a variety of frostings and techniques that can be employed that will best match the style and taste of the treats.

Whether it be a simple glaze or an elegant piping, the art of frosting cupcakes can require patience and practice. However, with a little time even the most inexperienced cook can frost their cupcakes like an expert pastry chef. Read on to learn how to frost cupcakes.

• Before you try frosting your cupcake, you should understand the difference between frosting, icings and glazes. Basically, the difference lies in the thickness and the ingredients.

• Frosting is the thickest of the three. It is traditionally made with butter, sugar, and either water or milk.http://www.chsugar.com/Consumer/beyond_frostings.html It holds shapes better and remains soft to the touch.http://www.christmas-cookies.com/bakingtips/decorating.php

• Icing is thinner than frosting but thicker than glaze. http://www.christmas-cookies.com/bakingtips/decorating.phpSome of the major types of icing include: buttercream, royal, ganache and fondant.

• Glaze is very thin and usually drizzled on.http://www.chsugar.com/Consumer/beyond_frostings.html It is made up of a simple combination of powdered sugar and either water or milk.http://www.chsugar.com/Consumer/beyond_frostings.html

• There are two different methods you can use to frost your cupcakes: a spatula/knife or a pastry bag. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages.

A pastry bag can give your cupcakes a more professional look, as well as add different swirls and stripes onto your cupcakes.http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t--33662/pastry-bag.asp Pastry Bag]http://homemakers.com/food&nutrition/cookscorner/10-expert-tips-for-making-great-cupcakes-n238212p1.html Pastry bags can be used for icing, which can run if spread with a knife or spatula.http://www.christmas-cookies.com/bakingtips/decorating.php

A small offset spatula will spread frosting evenly and give you extra leverage with the crooked handle.http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t--37459/baking-spatula.asp Baking Spatula It is also called an icing spatula, frosting spatula, or pastry spatula.http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t--37459/baking-spatula.asp

A rubber spatula is gentler than a knife or metal spatula, and less likely to cut off the top of your cupcake.http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t--37950/flexible-spatula.asp

• A baking or flexible spatula is one of the easier methods to use when frosting cupcakes, especially since you most likely have one of those tools available already. Here are some tips to make your cupcakes look their best:

• Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting. Warm cupcakes can cause the frosting to soften or melt.http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/baseball-cupcakes-90720.aspx

• Divide one batch of vanilla frosting into different bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to ensure a rainbow of cupcakes.http://homemakers.com/food&nutrition/cookscorner/10-expert-tips-for-making-great-cupcakes-n238212p1.html

Frosting the Cupcakes with a Spatula

1. Brush the cupcakes lightly with your fingers to remove any crumbs before frosting.http://www.dianasdesserts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/bakingtips.
2. Avoid crumbs by placing a dollop of icing in the center of the cupcake.
3. Then, using a table knife or spatula, make short strokes to spread the icing outward from the center.http://www.dianasdesserts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/bakingtips.Cupcakes/Cupcakes.cfm Tips for Cupcakes
4. Work your way down in a circular motion, moving a littler further out each turn.http://cookies-n-cakes.com/2008/05/14/cupcake-decorating-tips-part-3/
5. Try not to let your spatula touch the cupcake, as this will get crumbs in the frosting.http://baking.about.com/library/weekly/aa092197.htm
6. Occasionally dip your spatula in hot water to clean off any crumbs and frosting accumulation.http://www.chsugar.com/Consumer/beyond_frostings.html

After frosting, dip your knife in hot water and smooth it over the top of the frosting to make a smooth surface.http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/EYEBALL-CUPCAKES-232942 Eyeball Cupcakes

• A pastry bag is a cone shaped bag with a small hole on one end and a large hole on the opposite end.http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t--33662/pastry-bag.asp Here are some tips you should consider when using a pastry bag to frost your cupcakes:

1. Measure and cut the end of your pastry bag http://www.baking911.com/decorating/pb_pastrybags101pg1.htm
2. You can make your own pastry bag by cutting off the corner of a small plastic baghttp://astrology.yahoo.com/channel/food/how-to-frost-cupcakes-with-a-homemade-pastry-bag-261315/
3. Insert the tip before adding the frosting.[http://www.baking911.com/decorating/pb_pastrybags101pg1.htm
4. Fill the bag half way with frosting.Baking911: [http://www.baking911.com/decorating/pb_pastrybags101pg1. Do not overfill.
5. Make sure the coupler ring is screwed on straight and secure, and the bag is airtight at the end.http://www.baking911.com/decorating/pb_pastrybags101pg1.htm
6. You can twist the bag above the tip and secure with a clip to prevent any frosting from coming out the end of the bag.http://www.baking911.com/decorating/pb_pastrybags101pg1.htm

1. Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting. Warm cupcakes can cause the frosting to soften or melt.http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/baseball-cupcakes-90720.aspx

2. Brush the cupcakes lightly with your fingers to remove any crumbs before frosting. http://www.dianasdesserts.com/index.c...>

3. Hold the tip about 1/8 inch off the surface of the cupcake.http://www.expertvillage.com/video/114452_using-pastry-bag-decorate-cakes.htm

4. Gently squeeze the pastry bag.

For colorful swirled frosting, try this advanced technique:

1. Place the pastry bag inside a glass.
2. Use a paint brush to paint 1/2-inch thick stripes of different colors on the inside of the bag.http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/09/18/colorful-swirled-cupcakes/
3. Scoop white icing into the bag with a spoon.
4. Squeeze the bag until the white icing no longer flows white.http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/09/18/colorful-swirled-cupcakes/