Cake Decorating Tools: Types and Benefits

Just as having the right ingredients guarantees you delicious-tasting cakes, having the right tools also gives you stunning-looking cakes! From Tiktok cakes to minimalist cakes, cake decorating tools help you get lovely treats. 

But what cake decorating tools do you need? Which ones should be on your list? This post outlines the top cake decorating tools worth investing in.

What Are Cake Decorating Tools? 

Home bakers, professional bakers, and pastry chefs use cake decorating tools to design and create enticing cakes. 

Cake decorating tools also help bakers create uniquely designed cakes with less time and effort. With these tools, you can make professional-looking cakes from the comfort of your own home.

Plus, we often hear that baking is both an art and a science. Experts say that you must measure your ingredients to the mL or gram and follow the instructions closely. 

But what about the decorating tools you use? Can you make a perfect cake without any decorating tools? 

Plus, can you use your grandmother’s old baking pan or a tablespoon and cup to make popular cake designs? Our perfectionist side says not!

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to buy every trendy tool to make spectacular cakes. You simply need a basic set of tools for every Instagrammable cake you make. 

20 Cake Decorating Tools You Should Have

Do you have the basic cake decorating tools? Here are the 20 best cake decorating tools for beginners that’ll take your treats to the next level: 

1. Cake Turntable

Usually made of aluminum, a cake turntable can hold a cake for an extended time. Its surface features a rubber cushion that keeps the cake in place during cutting, decorating, and transporting. 

A cake turntable also has a durable, smooth revolving stand with stainless steel bearings. So, if you don’t want your cake to wiggle while you decorate, you better add a turntable to your shopping cart now!

2. Cake Scraper

A cake scraper serves as a multi-purpose cake decorating tool. Made of stainless steel, plastic, and aluminum, the scaper features a sturdy blade.

The blade gives your icing a silky, smooth edge. Its simple design makes it useful for various tasks, such as scraping surfaces and cutting dough. 

And let’s remember how cake scrapers always give you sharp, clean edges. Talk about perfection! 

3. Steel Cake Knife

A steel cake knife is primarily used to serve cakes. Usually made of long, finely polished steel, you can also use this tool to decorate your cakes with frosting. 

Additionally, the tool has non-toxic wood or silicone as the handle. Intended to match the human hand, this tool is easy to hold and use. It feels like it’s made just for your hand!

4. Cake Smoother

Cake smoothers refer to steel spatulas used for polishing cakes.

When icing, the cake smoother gives you more control. It also allows you to reach different cake areas without messing your hands. 

Like a cake knife, this tool features a smooth, ergonomic grip for maximum control and comfort. The blade comes in various lengths, the shortest being six inches.

5. Icing Comb

Icing combs feature tooth designs that create markings and designs in cake frosting. 

They usually come in aluminum. In some cases, you can find plastic icing combs in the market. Due to their sharper edges, they produce cleaner finishes. 

Plus, they look like cake smoothers but with serrated edges. 

6. Cake Leveler

You need tons of experience to make equally thick layers with a knife. But don’t worry, because you can make such layers without using the dreaded knife.

Enter one of the most wonderful cake decorating tools: the cake leveler. Even experts use it to create perfect layers. Plus, this one is handy for naked cakes. 

Adjust the cake leveler to cut your cakes into several layers, and voila! Every layer will have the same thickness. Plus, this tool won’t break the bank, so you can quickly get your hand on it. 

7. Acetate Sheet

An acetate pad or sheet refers to a transparent, versatile sheet commonly used in baking. This reusable, flexible, and acid-free overlay tool is available all over commercial bakeries and confectionaries. 

For one, you can use an acetate sheet to create thin bands of tempered chocolate. You can then use these bands to decorate your cake. 

In addition, you can use an acetate sheet to create cylinders for delicious cake layers and mousses. When used with a cake leveler, this tool helps you create perfect-looking naked cakes.

8. Cake Topper

Aside from decorating the cakes with cream or food, cake toppers make cakes look exciting and attractive. While technically not a tool, they deserve a spot on this list.

Toppers help you create one-of-a-kind cakes. They usually come with toothpicks. You can buy them in various shapes, designs, colors, and sizes.

Aside from whole cakes, you can use toppers on cupcakes, too. So adorable, right?

9. Food Coloring Set

Many food color sets have been making waves on the internet for one reason: they bring life to your cakes. Food color is a must-have whether you use them for coloring your batter or frosting. 

Water-based, food-grade food coloring sets are odorless and flavorless. So you don’t have to worry about them ruining your cake’s flavor. 

Plus, food color comes in highly concentrated liquid, so every drop counts. Make sure to use them sparingly. After all, you want to get the right shades. 

10. Piping Bag

The piping bags, also known as pastry bags, refer to tapered bags with a piping tip attached at one end. 

You can choose from reusable and disposable piping bags in the market. Furthermore, they vary depending on their size— ranging from massive work to exquisitely intricate work on cakes.

11. Tips for Piping

The piping tips refer to small conical nozzles. Bakers attach them to piping bags.

These wonders come in standard shapes like stars, petals, and rounds. Although plastic piping tips are ideal for beginners, most are made of non-toxic metals.

12. Couplers for Piping Bag

An icing coupler refers to a plastic tool with two parts. One features a long cylinder, while the other resembles a nut. 

A coupler allows you to switch different piping tips without using another piping bag. It also prevents icing or buttercream frosting from leaking when you pipe. 

13. Cake Board

The cake boards refer to trimmed cardboards enclosed in foil. In terms of thickness, they range from 3 mm to 4 mm. 

Additionally, they serve as mobile cake platforms. Manufacturers also designed them to be recyclable and eco-friendly. Talk about doing your part to save the planet!

14. Drip Bottle

Have you seen those eye-catching drip designs online? Do you wonder how they’re made?

Well, we got your back. Enter the fantastic drip bottle. 

Using a drip bottle is the best way to get a perfect drip. This little tool is everyone’s favorite way to get a fantastic cake drip. Find yours at a local supermarket today!

And yes, you can use a ketchup bottle. In fact, a drip bottle is just a technical cake term for a squeeze bottle. 

15. Cake Airbrush

A cake airbrush refers to a handy piece of cake decorating tool. Designed for painting on cakes, you’ll need to drag down the airbrush gun’s trigger to release the colors.

16. Cake Pillars

The cake pillars refer to platforms that gently split cake tiers.

You can use them to give a floating impression. Usually made of hollow plastic, cake pillars support your cake effectively. 

17. Gum Paste and Fondant Carving Tools

Designed exclusively for gum paste and fondant, this set usually includes a cutting blade, regular ball, and stitching tool. 

Additionally, they have a comfortable grip. They sculpt, shape, and add details to sugar paste in general.

18. Cake Stencils

Cake stencils refer to pattern-based cake decorating tools used for plating design. 

They come in the form of letters, numbers, or characters. Stencils are strong enough to hold their shape and flexible enough to bend when necessary.

19. Decorating Mold

Cake decorating molds come in different patterns. 

Made of non-toxic silicone, they are non-stick, making the content easy to remove from the mold.

20. Fondant Decorator Brush

Fondant brushes, unlike airbrushes, are specifically made for decorating fondants. They work in all types of fondant and give you the flexibility you need to create world-class cakes.

Plus, they also look like regular brushes. The finest ones are made of non-toxic, high-quality metal or silicone.

Cakes You Can Decorate Using Tools

Want some cake ideas? Use the tools above to decorate the following lovely cakes:

1. Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet cake is a southern classic that has inspired cupcakes, doughnuts, cheesecakes, and various other confections. It’s a vanilla cake with cocoa powder with red food color.

Additionally, buttermilk and vinegar add acid to the batter. The mixture creates tanginess that balances out the standard sweet cream cheese-butter frosting. The cake crumb is soft, delicate, and smooth.

2. Graduation Cake

This moist and rich graduation cake recipe lets you create the ideal cake for a loved one or customer. It features a chocolate cake base, an elaborate graduation-themed fondant cover, and a creamy, delicious chocolate center.

3. Smores Cake

Our beloved smores cake features rich chocolate cake topped with delectable meringue frosting and filled with creamy chocolate fudge. 

Although this recipe asks for chocolate fudge, you may use caramel, Nutella, or any other filling you prefer.

4. Carrot Cupcake With Cream Cheese Frosting

This carrot cupcake with cream cheese frosting recipe features moist and flavorful carrot cupcakes with grated carrots, cinnamon, and a delightful cream cheese frosting. 

Plus, these cupcakes are fragrant and nutritious. Indeed an ideal treat for the entire family!

5. No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake

You can make this no-bake chocolate cheesecake in under 30 minutes.

Combine the ingredients and refrigerate for three hours before serving. It takes less than half an hour to prepare, making it the ideal dessert for any occasion.

6. Durian Butter Cake Recipe

A unique Filipino recipe, this durian butter cake will impress everyone around you. This buttery and soft cake comes with just the right amount of durian. 

We know what you’re thinking: “This cake will smell bad!” But trust us when we say it’s worth trying out. Plus, your taste buds will love you for taking the risk!

7. Yema Cake

If you want a soft, fluffy cake topped with creamy frosting, look no more. This yema cake recipe inspired by the famous and original Rodillas Yema Cake will delight your taste buds. 

With extra ingredients to make your yema cake and frosting special, you won’t regret trying this out. After all, yema cake is one of the best Filipino desserts. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Cake decorating transforms an ordinary creation into something worth seeing and more importantly, eating. 

Cake decorating tools aren’t just for birthdays; you can also use them for every occasion. Plus, beautiful cakes are more delicious. Talk about the taste-look connection.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your cake decorating tool set now!

About HICAPS

Over the years, HICAPS has helped bakers and businesses make delicious products by offering ingredients like ChiffonAide Cake Oil, Magic Whizk Whipping Cream, Red Velvet Flavor Emulco, and Instabake Brownie Mix. 

HICAPS also provides tools and resources to valued partners, such as the free “How to Increase Your Sales Amidst the Pandemic” E-book and free dealer locator that helps look for baking ingredients near me. 

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