The Best Piping Bags

Buying Guide

A cupcake just isn’t a cupcake without that delectable swirl of icing on top. The same goes for cakes, cookies and other desserts. While they still taste great and look beautiful without icing, the decorative finishing touches are what really set them apart. In order to get your icing to look just right, use piping bags to help you decorate your baked goods.

Piping bags are kitchen tools that are primarily used when decorating desserts. They are cone-shaped bags which are then filled with icing, which is squeezed out through the tip of the bag. Often, you can put a molded tip in a special shape on the top of the bag to help the icing come out in a particular way. While piping bags are mostly used for this purpose, they can also be used to squeeze out certain kinds of dough onto baking sheets or even savory foods like mashed potatoes into special formations.

There are two main types of piping bags: disposable and reusable. Disposable piping bags are made from a food-safe pliable plastic material that makes cleanup easy and mess-free. All you have to do is toss the bag out when you’re done using it. Most disposable bags can be used with molded tips. Reusable piping bags are made from different types of materials such as canvas, nylon or polyester. These bags are strong and durable, and designed for heavy-duty use. Many of these bags are microwave safe. However, cleanup can be difficult as reusable piping bags typically need to be hand washed.

• Watching someone use a piping bag makes it look like an easy task, when in fact it’s quite an art and requires a lot of practice. If you’re new to using piping bags, make sure you know how to hold the bag properly so you have control over where the icing goes. Be sure to use your dominant hand and hold the bag a few inches behind the coupler. This will make it easy to maneuver the bag when working on small details. Use the non-dominant hand to hold up the bag and ensure the top of it is closed.
• Need help cleaning out piping bags? The best way is to turn them inside out first. Use a spoon to scrape off any leftover food. If the bag is dishwasher safe, you can place it in the dishwasher on the top rack and attach it with a clothespin so it doesn’t move around. For handwashing, use soapy hot water and scrub gently. Ensure the bag has dried fully before turning it outside in and putting it away.
• Many people have trouble filling piping bags. If you have a helper in the kitchen, ask them to hold the bag open while you add in the icing. If you don’t have someone around, find a tall glass or jug and place the piping bag in there face down. Fold the sides of the bag over the edges of the glass or jug so it’s fully open. This will make filling the piping bag a breeze.
• You can use piping bags with decorating tips to make savory food look just as good as dessert. Consider piping mashed potatoes onto a dish in beautiful floret shapes or pipe cream cheese onto little crackers for a stunning appetizer.