It’s no secret that I have a huge passion for baking. It’s a passion that I have been working on developing and one that brings me so much joy. I am still very much in the amateur stages of baking, but I have been slowly developing my skills and enjoying each new technique that I try. Along the way I have learned that good baking tools, while not totally essential, can make a big difference in making processes not only easier, but yield more professional results. Below are a few of my absolute favorite beginners tools for baking and decorating cakes. (You’ll find that I happen to be a big fan of the Wilton brand. They are a solid quality and so affordable. What’s not to love?) I love them all and every one of them (with the exception of one) was used for the cake I did above for my daughters mermaid themed birthday party.
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Cake Pans– Cake pans are obviously an essential. However, some pans are better than others and these aluminum ones are my favorite. These are the 6″ size which makes for a smaller cake round, which we love for our smaller family. It is the size for the cake above (which has three layers) and we use it to feed four adults and two kids. (With a bit left over.)
Bakers Joy Baking Spray- A good baking spray is a HUGE deal! Nothing is more frustrating that a cake that sticks to the pan and breaks apart before you even get to decorate. Bakers Joy is flour based and the best baking spray I have tried to date. When I want to be extra cautious I spray it on top of a butter and flour spread that I do beforehand and my cakes slide out with ease when they are baked.
Piping Tips and Bags– Okay, so here’s the thing. My favorite piping set that I use all the time is currently unavailable because the small company is either out of business or taking a small break. (It’s called Bake it Pretty.) So, that set is unavailable. However, I have used Wilton bags and tips before and loved my results with them. This is their cupcake set that has four standard nozzles that are a bit larger and should be absolutely wonderful.
Cake Leveler- For bigger cakes use THIS ONE – I used to have a big struggle with getting my cakes to be straight and almost every cake I did was at least a little lopsided. I swear I did a little happy dance when I discovered and purchased this handy leveling tool and it is one of my favorite tools ever now because it is so easy to use and straightened my cakes right up.
Icing Smoother– Getting your icing smooth around your cake is, at least for me, a lot harder than it looks. Sometimes I even try to avoid smooth surfaces and opt for a rippled icing (like above) or “rustic” style because I find it easier. However, using a straight metal icing smoother really makes a big difference and with a bit more practice I am confident that I can master smooth icing eventually.
Angled Icing Spatula – Angled spatulas are so handy for icing. They can be used to scoop up large amounts of frosting to spread along the sides and top of your cake. They are good for smoothing out the icing a bit, especially on the top and help make sharper edges along the top.
Piping Tip for Icing Sides (with 16″ or larger piping bag)- My favorite way to get icing on the sides of my cake is to pipe it on with this large tip. That way I have a semi-even thickness of icing already along my cake that I can easily work on smoothing and perfecting afterwards.
Turning Cake Stand– Cake stands that turn aren’t necessarily essential for decorating and icing, but they are so much fun to use and really make the process easier. (Especially when piping and smoothing out the sides.) I love this one because it turns smoothly and has a rubber ring on the top to help hold my cake in place.
Cardboard Cake Circles– These are essential if you are using a turning cake stand. That way you can decorate your cake on the stand and then move it to your decorative cake stand or plate afterwards. These are the 6″ ones to match my 6″ pans above, but you can get them in any size that you need.
Silicone Molds and Candy Melts– Silicone molds are so much fun to play with! This is the set I bought from Amazon for the mermaid tails and seashells on this cake. The figures came out so easily and they worked great. Also, Candy Melts are so much fun to use with them. You can just use chocolate, but these are easier because they are made specifically for melting and coating or molding and come in the funnest colors. (I also used them, mixed with a little bit of heavy cream, for the drip on the sides of my cake.)
Clear Condiment Bottles– Plastic condiment bottles are the best, not only for flooding sugar cookies, but for creating the drip on cakes. Any condiment bottle should do really. I just picked some up from my local grocery store, but for the sake of having one available for you here I found these on Amazon. They have tons of positive reviews and they have attached lids like mine do. (Which I love.)
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