How to Pipe Buttercream Waterlilies & Koi Fish | Beginner Cake Decorating Tutorial
If you’re looking for a buttercream cake design that is simple to make yet looks like a work of art, this Buttercream Waterlily Cake is the perfect choice. With a little piping practice and some colour play, you can transform a plain cake into a serene pond scene – complete with blooming waterlilies and koi fish!
The best part? It looks far more complicated than it really is, making it an ideal project for beginners.
See VIDEO Tutorial Below (Only 3 Minutes) 👇
What You’ll Need
Piping Tips & Tools
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Wilton 352 – for waterlily petals
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Wilton 125 – for leaves
- Wilton 103/104 – for fish fins and tails
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Piping bag with orange/white/black buttercream – for koi fish details
Buttercream Colours
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Blue & green shades (for the pond effect)
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Pink/Purple (for waterlilies and koi fish)
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Yellow (for flower centres)
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White/Orange (for koi fish patterns)
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Black (for koi eyes)
Step 1: Create the Pond Base
Start by covering your cake with swirls of different shades of blue and green buttercream. Use an palette knife to blend them gently, creating the look of rippling water. Don’t over-mix – the streaks and shades will give it a more natural pond effect.
Step 2: Pipe the Waterlily Leaves
Using the Wilton 125 leaf nozzle and green buttercream, pipe lily pads on top of the cake. Keep them flat and slightly spread out, like they’re floating.
Step 3: Add the Waterlily Flowers
Switch to the Wilton 352 petal nozzle with pink or purple buttercream. Pipe petal shapes on to form your waterlilies. Build them up in layers, starting from the outside and moving inwards.
To finish, add small yellow dots in the middle of each flower to create the flower’s centre.
Step 4: Make the Koi Fish
This is where the cake comes to life!
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Fish Body – Take a piping bag filled with uncoloured buttercream and snip a small hole at the end. Pipe a slightly curved strand for the fish’s body.
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Fins & Tails – Using the Wilton 103/104 nozzle, pipe delicate fins and tails.
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Orange Patterns – With orange buttercream in a bag (snipped end), pipe spots and patches along the fish’s body.
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Eyes – Finally, use black buttercream (snipped end) to dot tiny eyes.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Step back and admire your pond scene! The mix of floating waterlilies and koi fish creates a calming, artistic design that looks intricate but is easily doable.
