Now i know this has to be soo simple, but what tip/tool was used to make the icing swirl like that? any ideas would be great, thanks!

http://wonderlandbakery.com/mylink.php?id=1031

I would think just a large round tip. It looks like that would be the way to go.

When I do that I just use the large round hole and swirl it around. Hope that helps.

For example, #12 or larger if you have it!

thanks everyone - i knew it was way too simple!

When I do these, I start in the middle and make larger and larger circles toward the outside of the cupcake, and then when I get to the edge I keep right on going to make smaller and smaller circles until I get back to the center. If you try to make the icing that tall without doing this, you wind up with a "cave" under the icing. In other words, if you just do one layer of icing but try to make it tall, it will have a hole under the center of the icing unless you squeeze really hard, and that won't look neat.

Here are some I did with a star tip. I had to have enough icing underneath that macadamia nut to hold it up.

Deanna

TooMuchCake, those look yummy!!!!

OK Deanna... what a mean, mean thing to do... attach that picture!! Now I am starving for a chocolate cupcake. Verrrrry evil of you! Haha! I am teasing of course. Those look scrumptious!! Excellent point on the method you use to stack the icing. I didn't even think to mention that. Good thing you're here!!

I think I gained 5 pounds just by looking at those! Thanks for sharing, TooMuchCake! Lovely presentation!

Thanks, everybody. My 15 y.o. son took that picture as part of his photography merit badge in Scouts. I'm going to tell him it was well-received.

Deanna