Looking for a quick way to spice up your party cakes? In just a few steps, these textured buttercream designs easily add fun and flair to an otherwise ordinary cake.
Easy Buttercream Ideas
I made these simple, textured buttercream cakes with just a few tools from my cake decorating kit and kitchen drawers. While a smoothly frosted cake is always chic, adding a bit of texture adds interest and jazz-hands to your designs.
Try one of these designs on a plain buttercream cake before adding decorative borders and accents or give texture to an ombre cake to really take it to the next level.
With all layer cake designs, it's important to start with a solid base. Before getting started, be sure to follow the same steps for filling and stacking a layer cake.
Horizontal Stripes
This effect reminds of subtle waves and ribbons. Hold a metal spatula perpendicular to the turntable, and place the tip of the spatula to the bottom of a freshly iced cake. While spinning the turntable, carefully spiral the spatula around the cake by moving the spatula up the height of the cake.
Clean up the top edge as you would icing a smooth cake by pulling in any excess frosting towards the center of the cake with an offset spatula. Finish off the top with a spiral.
Vertical Stripes
Using a spoon, drag the rounded side up the height of a smoothly iced cake. Use the width of the spoon to create the ridges that define the stripe. Continue around the entire cake and finish off the top by pulling in any excess frosting on the top edge.
Skinny Combed Stripes
Use a cake comb as you would an icing smoother to get this textured buttercream look. While holding the rigid edge perpendicular to the turntable, gently touch the teeth of the comb to a smoothly iced cake. Spin the turntable while keeping the comb still.
Finish off the top by pulling any extra icing towards the center of the cake. If the ridges on the cake start to clump or become undefined, make sure your icing is not too thick and clean the comb between spins.
Use this same technique to create filled-in stripes as well. Take buttercream of a different color and carefully pipe it in between the ridges. Use an icing smoother to remove a layer of buttercream around the sides to reveal the stripes, like in this Candy Cake Cake.
Rustic Buttercream Finish
Although this texture might look effortless, there is some strategy behind it. Start with a semi-smooth finish to make sure there is an even layer of icing on all sides of the cake. Aim for a look that is rustic and "home-made," but not messy.
Once the buttercream is already evenly applied, use a small off-set spatula to give it some natural-looking swirls and strokes. Try drawing "S" and "C" shapes, making sure to switch directions as you go around the cake.
Be sure to add the textured designs just after the cake is iced. Do not let the buttercream set or crust over, or the designs won't work.
lyndsay
awesome, tessa! ^__^
every one is so cute... i love a pretty and rustic buttercream cake!
elaine
My favorite is the combing effect. Seems so simple with the right tool, but I'm still a rookie decorator at best.
Rustic Buttercream Cake | IMG Recipes| Share Your Favorite Recipes, Cooking Tips & Food Images
[…] Rustic Buttercream Cake How to create textured and rustic buttercream iced cakes.For full “Rustic Buttercream Cake” recipe click here […]
divine fingerz
Am in to cakes,wish to learn more,like your icing.
diana
Hi!! Love all the different designs!!! I just have a question. Is that crusting buttercream? I have a wedding cake coming up where I have to give it a rustic look and just wondering what kind of buttercream you used. Thank you!
Tessa
Thanks for stopping by! I use a meringue-based buttercream, usually Swiss or Italian Meringue Buttercream. They tend to be much silkier and smoother. For a rustic finish, an American buttercream would probably work too.
Candice
Hi Tessa,
I was wondering where you purchase your pastry bags, tips, and frosting combs? I am interested in purchasing the same products. Thanks!
Tessa
Candice,You can usually find most pastry bags, tips, etc at Michael's or other craft stores these days. There are plenty of online shops too, if you don't have a local store in your area.
Candice
Tessa,
Do you use the vinyl or cloth bags? I have used the plastic bags before and am not a fan. I'm looking for something more along the lines of commercial grade. Any suggestions?
Tessa
Candice,I use both. If I am working with royal icing or just a small/quick project, I use the disposable ones. The canvas/cloth ones are great for frosting larger cakes and a big order of cupcakes at one time. Plus, they are re-usable!
maria
Hi Tessa Thank you for the tutorial above on the buttercream textures. I am not a professional cake maker I only make cakes for my family. I was asked to make a cake for a family member for her engagement. It's a 3 tier chocolate mud cake. The cake is a rustic look painted in gold. I use the swiss buttercream for frosting my cakes which I love but in this cake I am reluctant to use because the whether is hot and I am not sure if it will hold. Do you have any suggestion on anything else to give me that look. Thank you
Tessa
Maria,I tend to favor Swiss meringue buttercream even in hot climates... I guess it depends on how hot you are talking about. I used to ice all my wedding cakes in SMB when I lived in Northern California, even in the summer. Definitely better than sometime like cream cheese or whipped cream. Best of luck! =)
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Ainsley
Great tutorial! I've been thinking of making the cake for my son's birthday and want to copy the texture on this cake I found. Do you think I would have to do something similar to the rustic cake?
https://www.facebook.com/YumaCoutureCakes/photos/a.740426942654374.1073741831.110414962322245/740427019321033/?type=1
Tessa
Ainsley,Thank you! Yes, you could certainly start with the rustic finish and play around a bit until you achieve a pattern you like.
Brittany
Awesome cakes!!!!! I am doing a cake for my soon to be sister in laws bridal shower this weekend. She loves the rustic look. She asked if I could use cream cheese butter cream to ice the cake. Would it work?
Tessa
Hi there! Thank you! You can totally use a cream cheese frosting with the rustic finish =)
опрессовка системы труб
bookmarked!!, I love your web site!