In order to create a beautiful cake, you need more cake decorating supplies than just a spatula and your icing. From basic pastry bags and tips to elusive discontinued cake pans, having a well-stocked decorating supply is key to making cakes with ease.
Basic Supplies
Decorators will need to keep several basic decorating supplies on hand in order to make decorating a breeze. Some basics include:
- Frosting ingredients
- Food colorings (gels, liquids, pastes, powders)
- Clear flavorings
- Large spatulas
- Small spatulas
- Parchment paper
- Pastry bags
- Couplers and tips
- Round cake pans
- Square cake pans
A favorite decorating instruction or idea book, like one of Wilton's cake decorating books, is usually a staple in both novice and expert decorator kitchens. Aprons and plenty of washrags and paper towels are also helpful supplies to have on hand.
Specialty Supplies
As your skills increase, you will likely need to begin expanding your supply collection. Find many of these items in more intermediate to advanced decorator kitchens:
- Cake decorating caddy to hold multiple tips
- Airbrush guns and food coloring accessories
- Fondant and gumpaste tools
- Specialty tips, like multiple opening tips
- Shaped cake pans, like Disney character cake pans
- Tilting cake turntable
- Cake stands and separator sets for making multi-tiered cakes
- Rose nail and tips
Collect Cake Decorating Supplies
Every decorator will have different supply needs. Novices who want to attempt a shaped pan may need to purchase a specialty tip, while some experts may be able to create extravagant cakes using only their basic supplies. Start with a few basics and build your supply based upon your needs at the time. Supplies for cake decorating are available through online retailers, local kitchen/baking shops or craft stores. Local libraries may have supplies, pans or instructions, too.
