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11 Supplies to Take Your Cake Decorating to the Next Level
To be a successful cake decorator, you don't have to have a professional kitchen stocked with every tool. This list of recommended cake decorating supplies will help you take your decorating skills from average to stunning in no time!
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High-Quality Cake Pans
The key to decorating success begins with baking! Investing in anodized pans, such as the popular brand Fat Daddio, is critical. Anodized pans distribute heat better, giving you an even, clean bake. Well-baked layers provide a solid foundation to show off your decorating skills.
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Parchment Paper
You'll find that parchment paper is handy for many different things in the cake-making and decorating process. We recommend lining the bottom of your cake pans to prevent sticking. It can also be helpful for laying out all your tools and ingredients, even giving you a surface to practice piping without wasting your frosting.
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Leveler
If you're making a stacked cake, a leveler is one of the best cake decorating tools to have in your arsenal. A cake leveler has an adjustable wire that easily helps you precisely slice off any excess cake. Although other methods are available for leveling and cake decorating, investing in this tool simplifies the process and ensures that your layers are as even as possible.
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Cake Boards
When shopping for cake decorating supplies, be sure to pick up a pack of cake boards that correspond to the size of your pans. Stacking your cake directly onto a cake board gives you something to hold on to when moving your cake. Cake boards can also be used on the top of your cake during the frosting process to help create a smooth, sharp edge that will wow your friends and family.
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Spatula
Cake decorating icing spatulas come in many sizes and variations. An offset spatula is ideal for the layers and top of a cake, while a straight one is better for frosting the sides. A quality spatula lets you quickly get your frosting into place before refining and smoothing it.
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Turntable
Purchase a turntable to smooth over your frosting process! Most turntables come in two pieces, making them easy to clean and store. The ability to turn your cake while you frost and decorate helps you maintain neatness and consistency. The turntable plays a significant role in those silky smooth edges every decorator wants.
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Cake Scraper
A cake scraper is a thin piece of metal with a handle attached that you can gently drag across the surface of your cake to remove unwanted bumps and texture. In combination with the turntable, a cake scraper is truly the key to smooth buttercream worthy of a professional.
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Set of Piping Tips, Bags, and Couplers
Although there is a wide variety of piping tips, a basic set should give you enough variety to try classic piping methods such as rosettes, leaves, swirls, dots, and scallops. Reusable piping bags may be ideal for reducing waste and saving money in the long run, but disposable bags are available. Couplers allow you to easily change out the piping tip without setting up a new bag.
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Food Colorant
Don't be shy; add a dash of color to your confection! Gel-based food colorants such as the brand Liqua-Gel deliver excellent pigment without interrupting the delicious flavor of your icing or buttercream. Collect a rainbow of your favorite colors for frosting, fondant, and candy drips.
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Edible Decorations
You can purchase a variety of edible cake decorations from Papagino Foods. These types of decorations are great to have on hand to give your design a little extra flair with little to no effort. Our favorites include crispearls, chocolate shavings, edible confetti, sprinkles, and glitter.
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Cake Stand
Although a cake stand isn't necessarily one of the most essential cake decorating tools, it gives you a beautiful way to display your creation. Start by purchasing something classic and versatile. As you make more cakes, you may want to expand your collection to ensure you have something that suits every occasion!
Additional Tips
While there is a lot of cake decorating information out there, here are our favorite tips for home bakers.
Start With Cold Layers
Once your cake layers have baked and cooled, consider popping them in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. Chilling the cakes gives them more structure, making them easier to work with while you frost and decorate.
Frost in Layers
One of the most common beginner's mistakes when delving into cake decorating is trying to put all of your frosting on in one go. Instead, do a "crumb coat." Spread a thin, smooth layer of frosting on the top and sides of your cake and place it in the freezer for 15 minutes. Now, the crumbs are locked in, and you'll be able to spread your final, clean layer.
Practice Piping
If you need more confidence piping on your cake, try piping some designs on parchment paper first. That way, you can plan your design before executing it. You should easily be able to reuse your frosting afterward.
Papagino Foods–Bringing You Quality Tools for Great Prices
Papagino Foods is proud to offer essential cake decorating tools and cake decorations from industry-favorite brands. Shop our variety of ingredients and tools for professionals, home bakers, and business owners.