Buzz
A piping bag might not be something you'd think of as a standard kitchen item. Professional chefs and pastry chefs might have one in their kitchens because the affordable, flexible, conical bag has proven useful over time. However, most home cooks probably don’t have one—unless of course, they suddenly find themselves needing one. I'm not here to persuade you to purchase something new that you're unfamiliar with (at least not today). Besides, that wouldn’t help much if you find yourself in need of a piping bag right now. In that case, just grab the next best thing: a zip-top storage bag.
What exactly is a piping bag?
As I mentioned, a piping bag has a conical shape. It can be crafted from parchment paper, disposable plastic, or even reusable coated fabric. These bags come in various sizes, ranging from small enough to fit in your hand for precise designs or writing with chocolate, to large enough to hold dough for piping larger amounts. You can use a piping bag on its own or pair it with a piping tip to create intricate patterns and designs.
How to Create Your Own DIY Piping Bag
The key feature of a piping bag is its shape, which helps to concentrate the filling at one point—without that, it's just a regular plastic bag. You can use any plastic bag with a corner to mimic this form. The most convenient options are likely the zip-top plastic sandwich bags or storage bags that you probably already have in your kitchen drawer.
If you're not using a piping tip
1. Fold back the opening
Fold over the top inch or two of the zip-top bag. This keeps the bag open and prevents frosting, jam, or (in my case) deviled egg filling from getting on the outside. This helps maintain a better grip and, of course, keeps things cleaner.
2. Fill the bag with your chosen filling
I typically focus on one of the two corners. Position the filling closer to that side to minimize having to move it around later.
3. Close the top
Press out the air and twist the plastic above the filling. You don’t absolutely need to zip the top closed, but you can if you prefer. It’s the twisted section of the bag that will prevent the filling from leaking out the back. Hold the twist securely with your dominant hand.
4. Cut the corner
When you're ready to use the bag, grab a pair of scissors and cut off the corner of the bag. Start with a small cut—a tiny triangle of plastic should come off. Test the bag by squeezing a bit of the filling onto your cake or wherever you plan to use it. If the hole is too small, you can always trim more, but remember, you can't shrink the hole back once it's cut. Now your piping bag is ready to go.
Be cautious if your zip-top bag has a 'foot,' meaning the bottom is pleated to allow the bag to stand upright. The freezer bag I used in the pictures above has this feature. The issue is that the corner isn’t a single simple seam. Cutting it will result in two separate openings—or one large opening if you cut too much. While this is fine for filling deviled eggs (it actually created a fun pattern) or tasks that don’t require precision, these types of bags can cause issues when using a piping tip or for intricate decoration work.
If you're using a piping tip
This is entirely optional: there’s no shame in using a plain round opening. However, piping tips can be helpful for creating designs or for adding structure to the end of the bag, especially if you’re filling something like doughnuts or cream puffs. Make sure your plastic storage bag has a simple single-seam design and doesn’t have a 'foot' (as mentioned earlier). You can compare the corner of the bag I used in the photos above with the design of the one I used in the pictures below.
1. Fold back the opening
Fold back the top inch or two of the plastic bag to create a cuff. This will prevent any filling from spilling onto the outside of the bag.
2. Insert the piping tip
If you’re using a piping tip, now is the time to insert it into the bag and push it into one of the corners. Don’t force it to fit too tightly, but be mindful of where the opening of the tip ends. That’s where you’ll make your cut.
3. Cut the bag
You’ll want the entire design of the piping tip to be visible, so once you identify where that is, move the piping tip slightly away from the corner of the bag. Use sharp scissors to trim the corner at that point. Push the tip firmly into the corner to check if the design is properly exposed. If it’s not, trim a little more. Always cut in small increments—if you cut too much, the piping tip might pop out.
4. Fill the bag
Fold the tip of the bag back to prevent the filling from spilling out while you load it. Place the bag into a measuring cup or a pint glass to keep the tip in place and make loading the bag easier. Once filled, twist the top of the bag to seal it. Your piping bag is now ready for use.
When should you use a piping bag?
Piping bags make many cooking tasks quicker, simpler, and less messy. Use them to decorate cakes and cookies with frosting. Pipe cookie dough to make dozens of butter cookies. Fill homemade doughnuts with jam. Use them to pipe filling into twice-baked potatoes or deviled eggs. Stuff dumpling skins with your special pork mixture. Anytime you need to fill, scoop, or add a tiny spoonful of something, it’s a great time to create your own piping bag.
