"At least you know that it's not bullshit camera tricks — I can really decorate cakes," laughs Buddy Valastro. He's showing us his latest creation at the original Hoboken, NJ, outpost of Carlo's Bakery, and he's right: He is a wizard with a piping bag. Valastro, who you probably know better as the Cake Boss, learned how to decorate under his father Buddy, Sr., and this edible bouquet of floral cupcakes is just the latest of many impressive creations. It's made up of six cupcakes — three chocolate and three vanilla — and when asked about his favorite design, Valastro shies away from answering. He can't decide.
According to the Cake Boss, piping is all in the wrist. It's a lot of the same motions — up, out, around — but the different tips he uses make each flower unique. There's the flat tip that creates the pansy's petals, the grass one that Valastro uses to make the center of every flower, and one called a Lily of the Valley tube for the leaves of the white and purple succulents. By the time Valastro's done decorating each cupcake, they're an inch or two taller than before, thanks to the mound of Swiss meringue buttercream. And if that's not flavor (or calorie) enough, they're all stuffed with chocolate ganache.
The best part, though: "Not only do they look beautiful, they taste delish, too!" says Valastro. That's when he calls his cousin Frankie over to prove it — by shoving a whole one in his mouth. He does it … and we're almost tempted to, too.
Follow Delish on Instagram.
