How To Make Store-Bought Frosting Pipeable

Last Updated on March 18, 2023

The store-bought frosting is a tasty and convenient way to decorate your baked goods. Knowing how to make store-bought frosting pipeable is a simple hack that will save you time. You can convert frosting from a can into beautifully piped designs with just a few simple steps.

There are several different types of store-bought frosting you can choose from, such as vanilla buttercream, cream cheese, and chocolate fudge. You can use any kind of canned frosting you like to decorate your cakes or cupcakes. You will be amazed by the designs you can make and how easy it can be to pipe canned frosting.

Piping Store-Bought Frosting

Buying frosting from the store can be great for decorating your favorite cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. However, straight-of-the-jar store-bought frosting isn’t quite the right texture for piping. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to make it great for piping.

Adding Powdered Sugar

Powdered sugar is an easy way to thicken up your canned frosting. Simply add your jar of frosting to a large bowl along with about 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer or hand mixer to beat the frosting and powdered sugar until fully combined.

Powdered sugar thickens up frosting to make it easier to pipe. If needed, you can add one tablespoon more powdered sugar at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. Once your mixture is ready, add it to your piping bag and use your favorite piping tip.

If desired, you can also add food coloring to your frosting as well. Start with just a few drops of coloring and mix them in with your mixer. If it is not yet the desired shade, add a couple more drops and mix again.

Adding powdered sugar will work for any type of canned frosting, whether it is buttercream, cream cheese, or even whipped cream.

 

Adding Cream Cheese

Another way to make your frosting pipable is to add cream cheese. The cream cheese will help thicken the frosting while also giving it a rich and creamy flavor.

Add one eight-ounce block of cream cheese and a teaspoon of vanilla extract to one can of frosting. Combine the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric or hand mixer until smooth or creamy.

Aucma Stand Mixer,6.5-QT 660W 6-Speed Tilt-Head Food Mixer, Dough Hook, Wire Whip & Beater

If the frosting is not quite thick enough yet, you can add powdered sugar. Start by adding one tablespoon at a time and add more to your frosting as needed. Then, add it to your piping bag and decorate your baked goods.

If you add cream cheese to your canned frosting, be sure to refrigerate it when not serving. Cream cheese is perishable and will melt if exposed to warm temperatures or direct sunlight.

Tips for Using a Piping Bag

When filling a piping bag, the easiest way to do it is to put the piping bag in a glass and turn the top down over the sides of the glass. Then, simply scoop the frosting into the bag using a rubber spatula. Once full, remove the piping bag from the glass and get decorating.

To avoid air bubbles, only fill your bag around 2/3 to 3/4 full. Once you have filled it, twist the top of the bag closed and gently pat it. By gently patting it, you are realizing some of the pressure that can lead to air bubbles forming.

You can use a chip clip to keep your frosting bag secure as you pipe. Then, when you need to refill your piping bag, simply repeat the process.

Canned Frosting Hacks

In addition to making store-bought frosting pipeable, you can do many other hacks to improve it. These hacks are great if you are on a tight schedule and are looking to save time in the kitchen.

 

How to Thin Frosting

If you are wanting to thin out your canned frosting, you can simply do so by adding milk. Simply mix in one tablespoon of milk at a time to one can of frosting until it meets your desired consistency.

In addition to milk, you can also use heavy whipping cream or half-and-half to thin out your frosting. All of them will also add a nice flavor to your frosting. You can also use water to thin it out, but it won’t add any flavor.

A thinner frosting is great for bundt cakes, muffins, quick bread, or even donuts. There are many different desserts you can add it to and if you add enough milk, it will have a consistency similar to a glaze.

How to Make it Fluffier

To make canned frosting fluffier, you can add whipped topping to it. Not only will the whipped topping give it a lighter consistency, but it will also cut back on the sweetness.

Add one sixteen-ounce can of frosting with a sixteen-ounce can of whipped topping. Combine both of them in a large mixing bowl and use a hand or electric mixer to combine. Mix until the frosting is light and fluffy inconsistency.

This is a great hack if you find buttercream frosting too sweet, to begin with. Since you are adding whipped topping, be sure to keep it refrigerated when not serving. It will begin to melt if it is exposed to warm temperatures or direct sunlight.

Which Store Bought Frosting is Best For Piping?

When it comes to piping frosting, it’s typically easiest to make your own so you can achieve the consistency you require. However, I’ve found that there are a few store-bought frostings that work just as well. Let’s take a look at some of my favorites.

• Betty Crocker Vanilla Frosting. This is one of the most accessible and affordable options. Betty Crocker is a well-loved trusted brand and never disappoints. It’s thick and creamy and can easily be placed into a piping bag. What I particularly love about this tub is that it’s great at maintaining its texture and taste; meaning it can be reused time and time again (be sure to consume within 30 days once opened). I’ve found that this frosting is as close to homemade as you can get…without all the extra work!
• Duncan Hines Creamy Buttercream Frosting. Another household favorite brand is Duncan Hines. However, this frosting does taste quite artificial in comparison to Betty Crocker, so it’s worth bearing that in mind. However, this frosting is incredibly smooth and spreadable, making it ideal for piping.
• Ann Clark Cookie Cutters Royal Icing. While this brand may not be quite as well known as the previous one we’ve looked at, it’s a good option. I’ve found that it does need additional confectioners’ sugar added to achieve a thick enough frosting for a cake, but once that’s added, it’s perfect. And the taste is homemade too, which is ideal!

Where Can I Buy Icing Piping Bags?

You can icing piping bags from a range of places. You can buy piping bags from most grocery stores. However, the easiest place is from crafting and decorating stores. As well as that, you can purchase piping bags online from stores such as Amazon.

How Can I Pipe Icing Without Piping Bag?

There are a few ways to pipe icing without the use of a piping bag. The most effective way is to use a Ziploc bag. All you need to do is tape one corner of the bag and using scissors (or a sharp knife), snip a corner and then push your frosting down into the corner and pipe as you usually would. Another way is to use an ice cream scoop.

Scoop up some frosting and scrape off any excess, then place it on top of your cupcakes…it is that easy! If you’re not looking for a perfectly iced cake, you can also use a spatula, knife, or the back of a spoon to spread on your frosting. It may not look perfect, but it’ll taste just as delicious!

Can You Pipe Cold Frosting?

While I find it’s better to pipe frosting at room temperature, some people think it’s better to put cold frosting in their piping bag. I’ve found that most of the time, the temperature of your hands won’t keep the frosting cold for long anyways. For this reason, you can pipe either cold frosting or room temperature frosting, but they usually both end up at the same temperature in the end anyways!

Can I Pipe Royal Icing on Fondant?

Of course. There are some instances in that I’ve found using royal icing works best when working with fondant. Piping royal icing is great if you want borders. It’s also great if you need drippy icing too. This is because the icing is the right consistency and sets hard, which is just what you need when piping onto fondant.

Transforming Canned Frosting

There are many benefits to using canned frosting. It is convenient, tasty, and comes in a variety of different flavors. It is especially great if you are short on time or want a simple way to pipe decorations.

By simply adding powdered sugar to your store-bought frosting, you can make it the right consistency for piping. The addition of powdered sugar will help thicken it up. In addition, you can also add cream cheese as well for more flavor and a thicker consistency.

Do you have any questions on how to make store-bought frosting pipeable? If so, please ask any frosting-related questions down below or share any canned frosting hacks as well.