Tipless bags! What's the deal?
"Tipless" piping bags are a recent trend in cookie decorating that is here to stay! But what are they? Basically they are a thin, disposable pastry bag that has very little seam, and a finished point, so you are able to cut that point into the size you need for your project - instead of using a coupler and piping tip. For real detail work, many people may still choose to use a tip. For basic piping and flooding, going tipless may be your new thing! And the greatest part about using a tipless bag is that there is nothing to clean at the end of your decorating session!
To fill your bag with icing simply place it in a glass of some sort, and fold the edges over the side. Leave yourself enough empty space at the top to knot, clip, or tie off with rubber bands. Give the bag a few shakes to help the icing move down towards the point and let any air bubbles rise to the top.
When you are ready to use your bag, grab the sharpest scissors you have, and flatten out the point of the bag, so that the seam is flat and in the middle. Don't flatten along the seam. This will ensure you get a nice round opening. You'd be surprised at how little you need to cut off to use. Think of yourself cutting a number 2 tip sized hole, or number 3 or 4, depending on what you will be using the icing for. Start smaller than you need if you are unsure, you can always cut more. Once you have done this a few times you will get the hang of cutting where you need.
A handy trick you can use is to pop the full icing bag into a tip and see how much of the bag point comes out through the tip. If you use that as your cutting guide, the opening will be about a 1/2 size smaller than the tip you used. I.E. - a #2 tip with result in about a 1.5 or somewhere between 1.5 and 2. I's not an exact science - but its a great way to gauge your bag trimming!
You can also use your tipless bag as an icing pod to use in a more traditional piping bag with a coupler and tip. When done you just pull our the tipless bag/pod and toss it. This will leave you very little cleanup at the end.
At The Cookie Countess we offer 2 different thickness and 2 sizes in each thickness, (a larger 12" size is coming in April). The 8" size is great for detail work and piping. The 10" can handle more icing, perfect for flooding.
Why 2 thicknesses? Our 40 micron thickness is a sturdy (more traditional tipless bag), with a puckered appearance, made from LDPE plastic. The 55 micron is an even thicker bag, with a smooth plastic finish, made from HDPE.
Why would you choose one over the other? Well in all honesty it may come down to how they feel in your hand. The thinner LDPE has a softer feel than the thicker HDPE - personal preference may led you to like one over the other. Or if you plan to pop a tip inside the bag for star tips, etc... the thicker one will hold that tip better. Or if you are using your bag as more of an icing "pod" to drop in a thick bag with tip, just go with the thinner. Try them both and see!
We also sell the perfect little clips to clip off the end of your bag to keep your icing from flowing out. Check them out here!
Have fun and go Tipless!