Evil Eye Cupcakes

A Bold, Graphic Design Using My Pipe and Press Method

Evil Eye cupcakes decorated with concentric circles of blue, white, and black buttercream.

These Evil Eye cupcakes look bold and graphic, but they are actually much simpler than they appear.

Clean circles. Strong colour. Smooth finish.

This design uses my Pipe and Press method. I pipe layered chocolate onto parchment paper, let it set, then press a buttercream dome onto the design. After a short freeze, you peel the paper away and the pattern transfers perfectly onto the cupcake.

It feels a little bit magical the first time you do it.

If you love designs that look structured and precise without complicated piping, this one is so satisfying to make.

The Design for my Evil Eye Cupcakes

The “eye” is built in layers using black, light blue and white candy melts. Each colour is piped in a ring on parchment paper and left to set before adding the next.

Once the chocolate discs are ready, a smooth dome of bright blue buttercream is piped onto each cupcake. The cupcake is turned upside down and gently pressed onto the chocolate design.

This is where the magic happens.

After a short time in the freezer, you peel the parchment paper away to reveal crisp, clean concentric circles that look like they were stamped directly onto the buttercream.

No hand painting. No fiddly detailing. Just clean layering and a steady hand.

If you are new to this method, you can read more about my Pipe and Press technique, Working with Candy Melts, and How to Colour Buttercream for the best results.

Why You’ll Love These Evil Eye Cupcakes

They look intricate, but the method does most of the work for you. Once you understand the Pipe and Press technique, you can recreate this clean, graphic design again and again with different colours and patterns.

They are bold without being overcomplicated. No tiny piping details. No steady-hand stress. Just smooth domes and layered chocolate rings that transfer perfectly.

They are also surprisingly satisfying to reveal. Peeling back the parchment and seeing those crisp circles appear never gets old.

And because the chocolate discs can be made ahead of time, this design is great if you like working in stages rather than doing everything in one go.

Things I Used

Cupcakes
I used my chocolate cupcake recipe for this design, but vanilla works just as well. Just make sure they are fully cooled before decorating.

Basic Buttercream
One batch of my Basic Buttercream Recipe, tinted bright blue. A smooth, stable buttercream works best for creating that clean dome shape.

Blue Gel Colouring
I use gel rather than liquid colouring for strong, vibrant shades without thinning the buttercream. If you are unsure about achieving bold colour, see my How to Colour Buttercream guide.

Candy Melts
Black, light blue and white candy melts are used to create the layered eye design. These are easy to melt and pipe, but if you are new to them, read my Working with Candy Melts guide for tips on melting and consistency.

Large Round Piping Tip
I used an Ateco 809 for the smooth buttercream dome. A large round tip gives you that clean, structured finish.

Piping Bags
One bag for each candy melt colour, plus one for the buttercream. Use sturdy bags, especially when working with melted chocolate. I love the Colourmill range of piping bags.

Parchment Paper
For piping the chocolate discs. Make sure it sits flat on your tray for clean circles.

Baking Tray
Sized to fit in your freezer for the Pipe and Press stage.

Cocktail Stick
Helpful for gently guiding the candy melts into neat, even rings.

Rachel Lindsay

Rachel Lindsay

Chief Resident Cake Baker

Ingredients

  • 12 Chocolate cupcakes
  • 1 batch of my basic buttercream
  • Blue gel colouring
  • 1 Cup Black candy melts
  • 1 Cup light blue candy melts
  • 1 Cup white candy melts
  • 3 tbsps Vegetable shortening (if using)

Equipment

  • A 12 hole cupcake/ muffin tin
  • 12 Cupcake cases
  • 4 piping bags
  • 1 Extra large round piping tip (Ateco 809)
  • A baking tray or board
  • Parchment paper
  • A small palette knife/ metal spatula
  • Cocktail sticks

How to...

Piping bags, round piping tip, candy melts, and baking tray prepared for decorating Evil Eye cupcakes.

Step 1

Cut a sheet of parchment paper into 12 squares, each approximately 8cm x 8cm, and place them on a baking tray that fits in the freezer. Alternatively, use a single sheet of parchment paper. Using individual squares can provide more flexibility during preparation. Gently melt the coloured candy melts in the microwave on a low heat setting, then transfer the melted candy into separate piping bags.

Black candy melt dot piped in the centre of parchment square for Evil Eye cupcake design.

Step 2

Begin by trimming a small portion from the tip of the black candy melts bag. If the opening is too large, the candy may dispense too fast and be harder to manage. Place a black dot in the centre of each parchment paper square; each dot should be about 2 cm in diameter. You can use a cocktail stick to move the candy into place. Allow the dots to set at room temperature before moving on to the next step.

Light blue candy melt ring piped neatly around the black centre.

Step 3

Repeat the same process with the light blue cand melts. Adding a ring approximately 7mm thick, around the black dot. Again, using the point of a cocktail stick works great to guide the candy into place. Gently tap the tray with your fingertip to level out the melted candy. Allow to set at room temperature.

White candy melt ring piped around the blue circle to build the Evil Eye pattern

Step 4

Move on to the white candy melts and repeat the previous step. If necessary, reheat the candy melts before using. You can do this by adding the bag to the microwave and heating on low for 30 seconds to a minute. Make sure that they aren’t too hot before piping. let them set at room temperature before moving on to the next step.

Step 5 - Evil Eye Cupcakes

Step 5

Add a few drops of blue gel colour to a bowl of basic buttercream. Mix it using a rubber spatula until the colour is evenly distributed. A small amount of food gel is usually sufficient to achieve a noticeable blue hue, so introduce the gel gradually. Note that the colour may intensify as it sits, so adding less initially is recommended when colouring buttercream.

Blue buttercream piped in a smooth dome on top of a cupcake.

Step 6

Add the blue buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a large round piping tip (ateco 809) Pipe a dollop of the buttercream on top of the cupcakes. Hold the piping bag vertically with the tip just above the centre of the cupcake. Squeeze out the buttercream and then slowly lift the bag, stop squeezing and pull away. Leave enough space around the edge as the buttercream will spread when pressed down.

 

Cupcake being gently pressed onto candy melt Evil Eye topper.

Step 7

Gently press the cupcakes face down onto the candy melt centres.

Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for around 15 minutes. 

Removing paper for cupcake to reveal pattern

Step 8

Remove the baking tray from the freezer and peel the cupcakes away from the parchment paper.

Evil Eye cupcakes decorated with concentric circles of blue, white, and black buttercream.

The results! Well done!

Well Done! You’ve just created a batch of stunning Evil Eye cupcakes. Time to admire your work (and maybe snap a photo before they all get eaten!)

Notes & Tips

Let each candy melt layer set fully before adding the next colour. Rushing this step can cause the rings to blur together.

Melt candy melts gently in short bursts, stirring between each interval. If they become too thick, they will be harder to pipe neatly. A small amount of vegetable shortening can help loosen the consistency if needed.

Pipe the buttercream dome and press it onto the chocolate design straight away. Do not chill it first. The buttercream needs to be freshly piped so it spreads evenly when pressed.

When assembling, hold the cupcake directly over the centre of the chocolate disc and press straight down. Apply gentle, even pressure so the buttercream spreads across the design evenly.

Do not skip the freezer step. This is what gives you the clean, stamped finish when you peel the parchment away.

If your kitchen is warm, work in small batches so the buttercream stays soft enough to spread properly during pressing.

Serving Ideas

Arrange these in tight rows or neat circles for maximum impact. The clean design really stands out when they are grouped together.

Pair them with plain chocolate or vanilla cupcakes in matching blue liners if you want the Evil Eye design to be the clear focal point.

They work beautifully on themed dessert tables, especially when styled with blue and white tones.

You could also box them individually as statement party favours. The graphic finish makes them feel extra special.

And if you are making a larger spread, mix in mini versions for a layered look.

FAQ: Evil Eye Cupcakes

Do I need special equipment for this design?
No. A large round piping tip, piping bags and parchment paper are all you need. The clean finish comes from the method, not fancy tools.

Can I use chocolate instead of candy melts?
Yes, but it will need to be tempered properly to set with a clean finish. Candy melts are easier and more forgiving, especially if you are new to this technique.

Can I make the chocolate discs ahead of time?
Yes. You can pipe the candy melt discs a day or two in advance and store them at room temperature in a cool spot. Assemble the cupcakes on the day you plan to serve them.

What if my circles are not perfectly even?
Do not worry. As long as each layer sets before the next is added, the design will still look clean once transferred. The freezer step helps sharpen everything up.

Can I use different colours?
Absolutely. This method works with any colour combination. Once you understand the Pipe and Press technique, you can adapt it to lots of different designs.

Final Thoughts on Evil Eye Cupcakes

Do I need special equipment for this design?
No. A large round piping tip, piping bags and parchment paper are all you need. The clean finish comes from the method, not fancy tools.

Can I use chocolate instead of candy melts?
Yes, but it will need to be tempered properly to set with a clean finish. Candy melts are easier and more forgiving, especially if you are new to this technique.

Can I make the chocolate discs ahead of time?
Yes. You can pipe the candy melt discs a day or two in advance and store them at room temperature in a cool spot. Assemble the cupcakes on the day you plan to serve them.

What if my circles are not perfectly even?
Do not worry. As long as each layer sets before the next is added, the design will still look clean once transferred. The freezer step helps sharpen everything up.

Can I use different colours?
Absolutely. This method works with any colour combination. Once you understand the Pipe and Press technique, you can adapt it to lots of different designs.

Do I need special equipment for this design?
No. A large round piping tip, piping bags and parchment paper are all you need. The clean finish comes from the method, not fancy tools.

Can I use chocolate instead of candy melts?
Yes, but it will need to be tempered properly to set with a clean finish. Candy melts are easier and more forgiving, especially if you are new to this technique.

Can I make the chocolate discs ahead of time?
Yes. You can pipe the candy melt discs a day or two in advance and store them at room temperature in a cool spot. Assemble the cupcakes on the day you plan to serve them.

What if my circles are not perfectly even?
Do not worry. As long as each layer sets before the next is added, the design will still look clean once transferred. The freezer step helps sharpen everything up.

Can I use different colours?
Absolutely. This method works with any colour combination. Once you understand the Pipe and Press technique, you can adapt it to lots of different designs.

Final Thoughts

This is one of those designs that looks far more complicated than it actually is. Layer the chocolate, pipe the dome, press, freeze and reveal.

The first time you peel that parchment back and see those crisp circles underneath is so satisfying.

Once you get the hang of the Pipe and Press method, you will start spotting ways to use it in so many other designs. It gives you that bold, graphic finish without any tiny, fiddly piping.

Share Your Creations

I’d love to see how your Evil Eye Cupcakes turn out!

  • Tag me on Instagram @cakedbyrach so I can share your bakes.

  • Or post your cupcakes in the Caked by Rach, Baked by You Facebook group to join our baking community.

  • If you enjoyed this tutorial, please leave a comment or review on the blog — it helps others find these designs too.

 

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