The Best Cake-Decorating Tools for Beginners

I have been, or can be if you click on a link and make a purchase, compensated via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value for writing this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my full Affiliate Disclosure for more information.

New to cake decorating? Well, this post is for you! We have a list of the best cake-decorating tools for beginners! I’ve been there. And now I’m here to help! I’ll be sharing more and more tips and tricks that I used to get me where I am today. But I thought I should start with a “cake decorating for beginners” post.

getting started with cake supplies

Starting something new is always intimidating. Where do you even start?! Well, I hope this post helps you! If you want to become a pro, get started with these tools.

How my Cake-Decorating Journey started

I was in the same boat back in 2010. Here I was, finishing my degree in French Studies, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life (still kinda there 11 years later lol). Baking was always my thing growing up, then one day I decided to try making cupcakes. But I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. And if I can do it, YOU CAN TOO!

the cupcake recipe that started it all

I remember trying to make a red velvet recipe with one of my best friends and didn’t even have red food colouring (ha!). So we made purple velvet, okay? (LOL). I honestly tried to find a picture of that atrocity, but couldn’t. I was so proud, and now so unbelievably appalled (haha!).

I can just picture how it looked, and I had no idea how much improvement I’d make. Back then, it was just cupcakes. Then friends and family started ordering cupcakes from me, and I was getting inquiries about cakes – that’s where my journey truly began.

Nine years later, after several years of baking part-time, I decided to quit my full-time job (with the support of my husband, family and friends). Now, I’m a full-time cake decorator, running a home-based bakery!

There are countless cake tools and gadgets that you’ll accumulate over time when you start cake decorating (trust me, this organization queen even struggles to organize her decorating supplies!). The list is endless when it comes to supplies that will elevate your cake-decorating techniques. But here’s a list that can get you started.

Here are my TOP 10 Cake Decorating tools for Beginners!

1. FOOD SCALE

I would highly recommend you invest in a good food scale! I don’t have this exact one, but I have an older model (above) that I bought in 2013 and it still works like a charm!

As you do your research and learn more about baking, you’ll quickly learn that weighing your ingredients is far more accurate than measuring them with measuring cups. It’s also better when you’re adjusting your recipes to feed more or less. Simply multiplying or dividing your recipe doesn’t always work out.

2. Stainless Steel Measuring Cups

I know I said you should have a scale, but there are still a lot of recipes out there that have the ingredients in cups. SO! If you must, I would recommend a stainless steel set. They are way more accurate than any plastic set you’ll find. I’ve come across some plastic sets that just don’t seem to be an accurate measurement. Don’t forget measuring spoons too!

3. KitchenAid Stand Mixer

As soon as I started to get serious about cake decorating, I invested in the ever-so-popular KITCHENAID STAND MIXER!!! Actually, hubby invested in one for me because I really really really wanted one! And I’m so grateful for it! Really, any stand mixer will work! I have since upgraded to a bigger model, but the 4.5 quart is great if you’re just starting out.

It’s so much easier to have a mixer going, while you’re trying to do other stuff (like measuring out other ingredients or setting the oven). And you don’t have to stretch your arms across the kitchen to mix the batter with a hand mixer (trying not to make a hot mess in the process). Plus, you can get them at a great price at certain times throughout the year!

4. quality cake pans

With any quality cake, comes a quality cake pan that it was baked in! And I love my Fat Daddio’s cake pans! I like to get the 2” high pans and get 3 of each size (and bake each layer of your cake separately). It makes for faster, more even baking 🙂 I have a set of 4″, 5″, 6″, 8″, 10″, and 12″ pans.

5. cake turntable

If you want the outside of your cake to be covered with a smooth coat of buttercream, you’ll need a turntable! You can easily achieve this look with a cake turntable! Not sure how else you can flawlessly decorate your cakes. Check out these options from Fat Daddio’s and Ateco.

6. straight and offset spatulas

You can’t effectively decorate your cakes with a turntable alone! Gotta spread that buttercream all over your cake with spatulas! I like to have both large offset spatula and small offset spatula, as well as straight icing spatulas. I alternate using them depending on the size of the cake I’m decorating. Everyone’s preference is different. I like to use the larger offset spatulas to transfer your cake from one board to another.

7. cake scrapers

You’ll also need a whole lot of cake scrapers to get that cake nice and smooth. I prefer to have a bunch of them on hand. I can easily access them when the decorating doesn’t quite go my way, or the scraper gets overly buttercream-y and slippery. Just toss it in the sink and grab another! I love these cake scrapers from PME. They even have a taller version and a stainless steel version.

*TIP ALERT!* – Warm up your stainless steel scraper with hot water to get an even smoother look on your buttercream!

Check out my tutorial on how to cover a cake with smooth buttercream here:

8. piping bags/PASTRY BAGS

If you’re starting your journey with buttercream cakes, it’s nice to have a good set of silicone piping bags. I have 2 sets of these! They are easy to wash, and they last long. I’ve had some bags that smell after a while (ew!), but I’m very happy with these!

9. piping tips

With piping bags come piping tips. Adding buttercream flowers, swirls, and other piping designs can really elevate your cake! It’s great to have a variety of piping tips to create different designs!

I have a set of french star tips and round/plain tips, I prefer the closed star piping tips. While I don’t have a full set of the closed star tips, I have a few of the larger sizes (numbers 855 and 856). They’re my favourite when piping cupcakes!

10. mini spatulas

As you decorate more and more cakes, you’ll quickly realize the convenience of having a whole bunch of mini silicone spatulas and microwave safe bowls! I’ve accumulated quite a collection over the years! You’ll be constantly mixing and combining colours, so a spatula and bowl collection is highly recommended!

*TIP ALERT!* – USE GEL FOOD COLOURING! No Liquid! Try to find an oil-based food colouring too, if you can. Water-based colour just messes everything up, like your chocolate or candy melts 😐

And there’s your list! Of course, this isn’t ALL you’ll need, but it’s a good start! Feel free to comment below, or email me if you have any questions! I’m happy to help!

Be sure to sign up for our mailing list so you’ll never miss a post like this one! Plus, I’ll send some exclusive content every now and then!

Good luck & Happy Cake Decorating!

xo

Mich