Piped details can turn a simple design into a stunning cake and yet many people shy away from even trying their hand at piping. This chapter, taken from The Contemporary Cake Decorating Bible, will help demystify the art and inspire you to perfect the technique. The basics are not difficult to master – having the correct equipment and icing consistency is key, whether it's buttercream or royal icing. Then all you need is practice to become familiar with the amounts of pressure required as you pipe. LindySmith shows you how to pipe swirls, peaks, daisies, roses with buttercream and dots, hearts, drop line work, brushwork embroidery with royal icing.