Filling a Piping Bag - The "Plastic Wrap" Method

Check out this great method for filling the decorator bag with icing. It’s called a “plastic wrap” method. It’s pretty neat.

My cake decorating instructor showed a great method for filling the decorator bag with icing. It’s called a “plastic wrap” method. It’s pretty neat.

Step 1. Take a piece of plastic wrap about 8″-10″ long. With a spatula, take a bit of frosting and place it in the center 1″ away from the edge.
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Step 2. Take one side of the plastic wrap and fold it over to the next side matching up the edge – your frosting will now be enclosed on the side of the plastic wrap
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Step 3. Roll the plastic from where the frosting is to the edges
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Step 4: Twist the free end of the wrap
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* (Optional step 5: I tie mine off in a knot)
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Step 5 (or 6 if you follow the optional “tie off”): You can now insert the plastic “tube” of icing into the decorating bag.
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Just wanted to share. I think it’s a pretty cool way to get the frosting in the bag and it isn’t that messy either. Plus it makes switching frosting in and out so simple – if you’re careful enough you won’t have any transfer colour either.

Comments (33)

on

Looks like it would be a good way to freeze leftover frosting as well - just twist both ends, and put in a freezer bag... ready to go for the next time.

on

Awesome! I love the idea. That way if you have just a small amount left you could freeze it in the plastic and use it later. Thanks for sharing.

on

I learned about this several years ago and it works GREAT...You can make them up ahead of time, load them in the bag as you need them and clean up is a breeze!!!

on

I was taught this method when I was first learning to decorate. It's really great when you are wanting to blend 2 colors. Just put a "line" of each color side by side....I have used up to 3 different colors...then rolled and tie. You have to squeeze a little out first but then you have multi colored frosting without the whole striping mess. It's really great on boarders.

on

What a great idea, especially is you want two colors of icing in the same bag. Will be using this method this week. Thank you so much for sharing.

on

Thank you so much. This is so genius! YaY!! I am so messy with frosting. This is reduce hopefully eliminate the mess. Thank you

on

Awesome!! It totally eliminates the worry of anything coming out the back of the bag. I don't have the issue but when I'm teaching others it's a technique that takes time to learn...this will be much easier. Love it!

on

Tried this last weekend with the paste to add the crosses to Hot Cross Buns. It worked a treat and even though my piping bags are disposable, I could re-use the bag!!! No mess - how great is that?(I usually end up with it running down my arms).

Fab trick that I have shared with friends. Thankyou

on

This is Brilliant!- I like the idea of being able to change colors without too much hassle. Gonna try this! :)

on

I feel silly now for never thinking of this before! What a huge time and mess saver for us messy decorators! Pure genius!

on

I've been doing this for about 4 years now. I love it. Saves on mess and on wasted icing. Whoever thought of this method way back when is brilliant. 

on

I use this method all the time, it is the easiest clean up ever. The only difference is that I put my icing in the center of the plastic and edge it from corner to corner...gives you more plastic to wrap with and if you use the large wrap 24"  you can easily use it with your large icing bags. Saves so much time, I do not knot the ends I roll the plastic over the icing and then I lift it and sort of twirl it, holding both ends in order to twist the ends together... usually that is sufficient. This also allows you to change colors with minimal use of bags...and if you put all your icing that you make in these pouches if you don't use all of your icing, it is already wrapped and ready to go for your next cake. I put mine in a plastic shoe box with a lid and store them in the fridge til I need them. Makes make ahead icing a breeze, just pull out the wrapped icing from the fridge as you need it. Let it set for a few minutes before you use it, to soften and go...this also helps to eliminate those annoying air pockets that you get when piping. I will never use icing any other way! www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rI-kx6XHz4&list=PL7B0C045459FFA3AB&index=125