Any party needs a cake, and an ugly one just will not do.
While it is possible to bake and frost a passable cake without any special tools, having the best cake decorating tools makes producing beautiful confections much simpler. This is true for seasoned pros just the same as it is for beginners eager to create their first masterpieces. The market today is chock full of gadgets of every make and type, so it can be difficult to figure out which are worth the investment and which are not worth your time.
Anyone serious about getting into cake decorating can benefit from having a stock of basic, easy to use tools. Which ones provide the best return on investment can be tricky to decide within an overflow of options.
View The Best Cake Decorating Tools Below
1. AJ GEAR Cake Decorating Supplies Kit
This decorating kit is for those people who are serious about making beautiful cakes and don’t want to spend time researching individual tools. The kit includes an aluminum alloy cake stand with rubber feet and non-slip surface for stability. You also get a cake leveler, a straight and angled icing spatula, a set of four texture combs, flower nails, and an infuser tip.
As if that wasn’t enough, it also contains a set of 52 metal piping tips, a brush to make cleaning them much easier, and a guide to show you how to make the most of every item!
Pros:
+ Complete set has a little of everything
+ Big kit does not skimp on the quality of each item
+ Includes a how-to guide for beginners
Why We Like It – As the definition of go big or go home, this decorating set includes everything a budding cake decorator needs to start creating beautiful cakes all in one package.
2. Sugarworks Artists Cake Turntable
A high quality cake turntable that is made to last is the anchor of any baker’s cake decorating arsenal. Stability and a smooth glide are key, and this one is built to give you both. The plate is constructed from food-grade aluminum, and thrust bearings made of stainless steel provide smooth, even turning. The base is heavyweight and broad to provide stability as you work.
Also, it gives you the ability to adjust the speed it turns, as well as the option to lock the table in place.
Pros:
+ Allows for speed adjustment
+ Constructed of food-grade aluminum and stainless steel
+ A turntable expander is available to fit
Why We Like It – A rotating cake stand makes a huge difference in the ease of cake decorating and how your tools work. This one allows you to adjust the speed it turns and is built to last.
3. Wilton Dessert Decorator
What if you only bake a few pastries a year but still want to have some basic tools on hand to make them look nice? The Wilton Dessert Decorator is an economical choice to get the job done without cluttering your kitchen with a bunch of tips and tools you may never use.
The decorator uses a plunge style cylinder in place of disposable or even washable piping bags, which can be difficult to use and waste a fair bit of frosting. It includes an injector syringe tip for filling cupcakes and other pastries, as well as multiple couplers and four basic and versatile decorator tips.
Pros:
+ Includes basic decorating tip shapes
+ Couplers and pastry fill nozzle included
+ Plunge style cylinder makes for less waste
Why We Like It – This is an economical choice for bakers who only make occasional pastries they want to fill or decorate.
4. Tennitor Smoother Tool Set
One of the reasons fondant is so popular for decorated cakes, especially for ones intended for special events, despite a taste and texture many find unappealing, is the ease with which a smooth surface can be achieved. Many beginning and intermediate bakers struggle with creating that desired, glossy layer of buttercream, but this smoother set gives you everything you need to make it a reality. Textured sides also make patterned sides or tops for your cakes as simple as a quick pass.
The included smoothers are tough enough to stand up to other jobs in the kitchen as well, making them capable of doubling as cutters and pastry scrapers.
Pros:
+ 7 piece set includes several textures
+ Multipurpose tools find uses outside of cake decorating
+ Built to last
Why We Like It – Creating a smooth or perfectly textured surface with buttercream can be a frustrating prospect. These smoother tools make your best cake decorating easy.
5. BoYun Cake Decorating Supplies Kit
This is a perfect kit for someone just getting into decorating cakes. It includes a little bit of everything from a whisk and measuring spoons for making homemade frosting to the cake turntable and a set of 63 numbered tips and fondant molds for creating your fantastic designs.
The turntable, smoothers, and fondant molds are constructed from food-grade plastics, which are durable without being pricey, so this kit provides a huge bang for your buck.
Also, it comes with an electronic user’s guide that walks you through the process, from baking to the finishing touches.
Pros:
+ Large kit includes everything you need
+ Includes 63 numbered, metal tips
+ Wide based cake turntable is sturdy and steady
Why We Like It – This is a kit for someone who wants to try it all but does not want to break the bank. It includes a little bit of everything to decorate with traditional frosting and fondant.
6. Prepworks by Progressive 8-Piece Frosting Bulb Decorating Kit
Want to let the kids help with their cake or make some special treats for others? Does the thought of the resulting mess hold you back? This frosting bulb decorating kit makes the prospect a whole lot easier and less messy than traditional piping bags.
Each bulb can hold up to 3/4 cup of frosting and is made to work with any of the six decorating tips included. The bulbs are made from a food grade, pliable silicone that’s microwave safe for working with warm frostings or ganache. Then when you are done, clean up is as easy as putting them into the dishwasher.
Pros:
+ Mess free bulb design
+ Includes six piping tips
+ Microwavable for warm frostings or ganache
+ Dishwasher safe for an easy cleanup
Why We Like It – If you plan to work with warmed icing or have the kids help with decorating, these are an excellent, low mess option.
7. Kootek Cake Decorating Tools
Experienced bakers who already have an arsenal of decorating tips but are frustrated with how flimsy disposable ones can be will like this set. It includes four reusable silicone bags, each of three different sizes, as well as six standard couplers to make changing out tips quick and simple while not wasting frosting.
The bags are made from food-grade silicone that is flexible, durable, and dishwasher safe. The couplers are dishwasher safe also, meaning clean up is a breeze. The fact the couplers are designed for standard-sized tips means they will work with your existing tips.
Pros:
+ Reusable silicone piping bags
+ Includes six couplers in standard sizes
+ Includes reusable bag ties
+ Dishwasher safe for an easy cleanup
Why We Like It – If you already have standard tips but want to upgrade from flimsy, disposable bags to ones you can reuse for years, these are a perfect choice.
8. Wilton Cake Leveler
No matter how proficient the baker, cakes pretty much never come out of the oven level. Doming is simply a factor of the baking process, and it can be both difficult and frustrating to attempt to level your cakes by hand. That’s where a good cake leveler like this one can make all of the difference.
Wilton starts off with a sturdy metal base to prevent warping and increase durability. They added a thicker plastic handle to give you a good and comfortable grip, and they top it off by offering a built-in blade setting guide. Level a single layer or cut multiple to the same height with ease.
Pros:
+ Includes blade setting guide
+ Metal frame ensures strength
+ Plastic handle keeps it comfortable to use
Why We Like It – A beautiful cake begins with a level foundation. This cake leveler helps you make sure to have a perfectly level and even cake layers every time.
9. MarxHousehold Layer Cake Slicer
If you have had bad luck with thin bladder or wire cake levelers in the past, or you want to slice your cake into ultra-thin layers, this is one of the best cake tools you will want in your kitchen. Six slits sit in an adjustable metal ring, and they serve to guide your knife as you cut even layers to the depth you want. There is no need to worry about dips or slanted layers with it guiding your hand.
The frame can be adjusted to fit cakes from 9″ to 12″ in diameter. Cut layers as thin as 1/2″ for impressive cakes, and then toss in the dishwasher to clean.
Pros:
+ Guides your knife for even slices
+ Metal frame is made to last
+ Dishwasher safe
Why We Like It – This is made for those of us who find wire levelers difficult to use or want to cut our cake layers ultra-thin.
10. Wilton Decorator Preferred Cake Decorating Tool Caddy
Nothing is worse than running behind on your baking for an event and being unable to find that one tool you almost never use but need right now! The Wilton Decorating Tool Caddy helps prevent those situations by keeping all of your best cake decorating tools together in one convenient, organized space.
Also, as a bonus, the latches lock in place to keep everything snug and secure, so you can even haul your supplies to a friend’s house and back without fear of anything getting lost or out of place. With two sectioned layers, it can pack a lot of storage into a small 7″ x 8″ x 8″ space.
Pros:
+ Small and portable
+ Holds a ton of tools in a small space
+ Easy to clean
Why We Like It – Having your tools organized and easy to find makes baking much more fun. Also, the caddy’s handles and a secure closure means you can take it anywhere, making this the best for portability.
Cake Decorating Tools Buyer’s Guide
What cake decorating tools do I need?
The tools you will need may vary based on your skill level and the types and number of cakes you plan to decorate. However, most people who decorate desserts will find basic cake decorating tools to use in their kitchens, such as a cake turntable, cake leveler, offset spatula, decorating combs, and a set of decorating tips and piping bags.
What is the best cake turntable?
Why would you want anything involved with decorating your cake to spin? Think about the process of frosting a cake. Smoothing the icing onto the tops of each cake or cake layer is simple, but it can be a bit trickier to create a smooth surface along the sides while a cake remains stationary. Placing your cake on a turntable, which is just a revolving cake stand, makes this process much easier by allowing you to reach all sides of the cake without the need to lift your spatula or other tools.
When considering the best cake turntables, there are four factors you want to look into: height, smoothness of spin, stability, and materials used. The height of the turntable is more about your comfort and reach than anything else. Look for one that will hold the cake at a comfortable height from your work surface, so you will not have to stoop or use a stool if working on a taller cake.
Ease of spin and stability are related. After you have baked a cake and are in the middle of decorating it, the last thing you want is to nudge the table, making the whole thing topple accidentally. You also won’t want your smooth frosting marred because the turntable is stuck mid-revolution.
Most cake turntables are made of either metal, such as stainless steel, or food-grade plastics. Metal turntables tend to be a bit more expensive, but they last longer and allow for cakes to be cut directly on them without scratching. Plastic turntables are an affordable option for those new to decorating.
What is the best airbrush for cake decorating?
An airbrush can create amazing effects, and color washes. Some food colorants can have an impact on the taste and consistency of frosting, but an airbrush limits this. This makes them an ideal option for bakers who do not want to overload their cakes with frosting while decorating them. But what makes for a good cake decorating airbrush?
There are three important systems to look into with airbrushes: the air compressor, the nozzle, and the color feed.
Air compressors with variable settings are preferable because you can control the settings for different effects, and you can adjust if needed to make working over softer frostings possible without marring the smooth surface. Airbrush nozzles come in either single or double control variants. Dual control models allow you to control both the airflow and the intensity of the color application, but they are more difficult to control.
Finally, most color feeds are gravity-based, with the colorant feeding into the top of the airbrush. Siphon models use the device’s vacuum to pull the colorant from a well under the airbrush. These tend to have more trouble maintaining air pressure than gravity feed airbrushes, but they are capable of holding much more colorant, meaning they are best for those who often work on larger scale cakes.
What are the best piping tips?
Metal decorating tips are the best for durability. Plastic tips and disposable bags are good enough to allow a beginner to experiment. If they enjoy it enough, then purchasing tools for cake decorating is worth the investment, but they will not last long at all.
Finding the best set of decorating tips for you will depend on the number of cakes you plan to make and the complexity of the designs, along with your skill level. Each decorating tip is designed to create a separate effect, but they may be varied through the use of learned techniques to create numerous effects using the same few tips. So, more experienced decorators can utilize a small set of tips to make a wide range of designs.
Numerous options range from simple rounds, to elaborate Russian tips capable of creating entire flowers with one press of a decorating tip. They’re all available on sites like Amazon.com, the ones you pick will be dictated by the designs you want to create.
While it is possible to create a perfectly fine cake and frost it with nothing but a butter knife, having a collection of the best tools that are easy to use makes creating cakes with style a whole lot easier. From a simple icing spatula to flower nails and entire collections of piping tips, the sheer number of tools for icing cakes can make your head spin while browsing sites like Amazon.com. Finding the correct decorating set for you can become overwhelming fast, which is why we researched some of the easiest to use and most durable sets for you.
Take the information above and use it to assist in your search for the best tools. Then use your new cake decorating tools to go forth and bake!