Cake Decorating 101: Essential Tools for Decorating on a Budget

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If you're just starting out with cake decorating, it can be overwhelming to figure out what tools you actually need. And when you're on a budget, it can be even more challenging to know what to invest in and what to skip.

In this blog post, we’re going to talk about the essential tools you need to start your baking journey, which tools can be recreated at home instead of bought, and which you should absolutely invest in.

Tool #1: Cake Leveler

Cake leveling is an essential step in cake decorating, as it helps to create a stable and even surface for frosting and decorating. A cake leveller is a tool that helps to achieve this by slicing off the top of a cake to make it level.

There are different types of cake levellers available in the market, such as wire levellers, adjustable blade levellers, and serrated knife levellers. Wire levellers are the simplest and most affordable, while adjustable blade levellers and serrated knife levellers offer more control and precision.

Although a wire cake leveller can cost less than USD 10, is it an essential tool? Yes, for me a cake leveller is an essential tool. However, it can be replaced by a knife although you will need to practice ways to make levelling cake with a knife easy and professional as it can be more challenging than using a cake leveller. There are many bakers who use knives so make sure you search for tutorials on tips and tricks they offer.

Tool #2: Turntable

Turntables are an essential tool for cake decorators, providing a smooth and easy way to spin cakes while decorating. A turntable is a rotating platform that sits on a base and can be turned by hand or with an electric motor. This tool makes it easy to apply even layers of frosting and decorations, and it also allows decorators to see their cakes from all angles without having to move them around. Turntables come in different sizes and materials, from plastic to metal, and can be found at various price points. If you are serious about cake decorating, investing in a turntable can make all the difference in achieving professional-looking cakes.

Tool #3: Cake Boards

Sturdy cardboard or foam boards provide a stable base for cakes during decorating and transportation. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colours, so you can choose the one that suits your cake design.

Cake boards also come in different thicknesses, ranging from thin and flexible (known as Cake Boards) to thick and sturdy (known as Cake Drums). Thicker boards are ideal for larger and heavier cakes, while thinner boards work well for smaller and lighter cakes.

They are an essential tool for cake decorators and cannot be substituted. I will be elaborating more on cake boards in a different blog post about tiered cakes and which cake board to use for each project.

Tool #4: Spatula

Spatulas come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, and choosing the right one can help you achieve smooth and even buttercream finishes.

Offset spatulas are commonly used in cake decorating, and they come in a range of sizes, from small to large. They are ideal for spreading buttercream, ganache, and other fillings onto cakes, as well as for smoothing the sides and top of the cake.

Straight spatulas are another option and can be useful for applying crumb coats and spreading fillings onto the cake. They have a flat, straight edge that makes them easy to work with.

While I invested in different types of spatulas, the only spatula I use is an offset spatula that is 6” long. Large spatulas are super annoying to work with in my opinion and straight spatulas are not very versatile. Honestly, you only need one spatula and it will do the job.

Are spatulas essential? Yes, but can you also use a knife if you’re on a budget? Also, yes. Remember that buying the right tools always makes the job easier but it’s good to find ways if you’re in a place where it is hard to find specific tools!

Tool #5: Piping Bags

Types of Piping Bags There are two main types of piping bags: disposable and reusable. Disposable piping bags are made of plastic and are designed to be used once and thrown away. Reusable piping bags, on the other hand, are made of fabric or silicone and can be washed and used again.

Piping bags are usually used in combination with different tips to create various designs. These tips come in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as round, star, and petal.

What about how essential they are? I remember how hard it was to find piping bags in my country, I already had my home-based bakery, was selling cake, but did not have piping bags. I was using ziplock bags, cutting them diagonally to turn them into piping bags. When I switched to piping bags after a hassle to find a seller, it was a great upgrade because they are easier to handle and fit perfectly piping tips.

In conclusion, piping bags are essentials but if you’re a beginner and want to limit your expenses, or you’re just making cakes for fun, or it’s hard to find a seller, a little DIY with ziplock bags should do the trick.

Tool #6: Cake Scraper

Cake scrapers are a must-have tool for any cake decorator. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but most commonly they are rectangular and made of metal or plastic.

The main purpose of a cake scraper is to smooth out the buttercream or frosting on the cake's surface, giving it a clean and professional look. It's also used to create sharp edges and corners on cakes.

A cake scraper can be used to create a variety of designs, from a smooth finish to a rustic texture. They can also be used to add texture or create patterns on the sides of the cake.

In addition to using a cake scraper, there are also several substitutes that you can use to achieve similar results. One popular option is a bench knife or pastry scraper, which is similar to a cake scraper but has a sharper edge. Another option is a flexible plastic scraper, which is great for smoothing out frosting on smaller cakes or cupcakes.

Tool #7: Piping Tips

Piping tips are metal or plastic attachments that fit onto the end of a piping bag. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are used to create different designs and patterns on cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods. Some common types of piping tips include round, star, petal, leaf, and specialty tips like the basket weave or ruffle tips.

If you want to invest in piping tips, I would suggest to start with these 3 main piping tips by Wilton that are, in my opinion, the most versatile and used by a beginner: Wilton Tip 1A, Wilton Tip 2D, and Wilton Tip 1M. The 1A tip is a round piping tip mainly used to create dots or pipe a buttercream ring around the cake filling. Tip 2D, is known to be used to create the perfect rosettes but also Ideal for drop flowers, stars, swirls and more. Finally, tip 1M, my personal favourite, is shaped like a large star with a wide opening, which allows for easy and quick piping of swirls, rosettes, and other decorative shapes. The tip is perfect for creating borders on cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods.

In conclusion, there are many essential tools that can help make cake decorating easier and more enjoyable. I believe that these are the most essential tools you need to start, specially when you’re on a budget. It’s also a good idea to look into baking kits that you can find on Amazon, like Option 1, or Option 2. If you don’t have Amazon in your country, Aliexpress delivers everywhere and is cheaper although it might take a long time to get your stuff. If you’re planning on doing this as a business or hobby or even just make cakes for your friends and family it’s good to invest in tools that will make the process less challenging and more enjoyable!