The Best Cake Decoration Accessories for Home Baking
You may not be a professional baker, but if you’re making a cake for a special occasion or attempting any real decorating whatsoever, you may be in the market for cake decorating accessories (even just frosting your cake cleanly is easier with some solid tools). Cake decorating tools can take your cake from simple and underwhelming to a show-stopping stunner, perfect for any and all special occasions. Here’s what you need to add to your arsenal to make your next cake decorating project a real success.
Want to decorate like a pro? Shop Erin’s favorite accessories here.
Why You Need Cake Decoration Accessories to Help Make Your Cakes Look Even Better
Delicious cakes are just a start. The right tools are critical to help you get the job done right. Here’s how professional cake decoration accessories can help take your cake from just okay to “wow”:
Gives Your Cake A Professional Look: With the right tools, you can pipe, smooth frosting, and create sharp, polished edges like a pro.
Cuts Down on Frustration: Have you ever tried to make something look its best without the right tools or techniques? It’s stressful to struggle, especially if you just can’t seem to get it to look the way you want it to. With the right tools, it’ll be fun instead of frustrating.
Try a New Look: Want to get creative? The right tools will make it happen. Add flowers, give your cake some texture, cover your cake in fondant, or push the envelope with a new-to-you technique. With good cake decoration accessories, you’ll feel more confident. You might even be inspired to boost your skill level.
The Cake Decoration Accessories that Every Home Baker Needs
1. Cake Turntables
Frosting with a turntable is so, so much easier than frosting without one. With a turntable, you can spin your cake seamlessly to frost the whole thing instead of having to try to slide it on the counter to turn it or take breaks to move it around.
💡 Pro Tip: Make sure your turntable has a non-slip base so your cake doesn’t accidentally slide off the counter and onto the floor.
2. Pastry Bags & Piping Tips
Although you can do a lot with a good offset spatula, if you really want to take your cake decorating to the next level, you’re going to need a collection of piping bags and tips. From swirls and scalloped edges to prim, pretty rosettes to intricate designs, you won’t be able to make much happen without them.
💡 Pro Tip: Start small. You don’t need every single tip out there when you’re first starting out. Make sure you have a basic set of numbered icing tips and then add on when you’re ready.
3. Spatulas
These are different from your usual spatulas that you use to flip things. Offset and straight spatulas are so important for cake decorating. They’re what ensures everything is spread without tearing up the cake and that the frosting has a smooth, polished finish. Opt for stainless steel spatulas in a wide range of different shapes and sizes to make sure you've got what you need.
💡 Pro Tip: Big spatulas are great for frosting layer cakes, while small ones are ideal for frosting cupcakes or adding smaller details to your cake.
4. A Bench Scraper
Bench scrapers are a hidden superhero in your kitchen. Great for dividing bread dough, moving ingredients without dulling your knife, and giving your frosted cake crisp, sharp edges that’ll fool everyone into thinking you’re a professional baker.
💡 Pro Tip: Stainless steel bench scrapers are the perfect choice if you’re looking for smooth, sharp sides on your cake. The plastic versions don’t have an edge that’s thin enough to create the look you’re going for.
5. Fondant Cutters & Smoothers
Whether you love working with fondant or have just always wanted to give it a try, you need tools like fondant smoothers and cutters to make the experience a good one. Give your cake a sleek, professional finish that’ll make everyone think you ordered the cake instead of making it yourself. If you're working with fondant, you'll also likely need a good rolling pin to help you roll out the fondant to the right thickness.
6. Decorating Combs
Decorating combs give your cake added texture and patterns for different designs than if you just opt for a smooth finish. They’re a great extra tool to add gorgeous or whimsical complete cake designs.
7. Airbrush Kit
While an airbrush kit isn’t really a starter tool, once you’re ready to expand your cake decoration accessories and really go for it, it’s a fun thing to add. Make sure you’re using one specifically for cake decorating.
8. Flower Tools
Flower nails and formers are exactly what you need to create various shapes of fondant and buttercream blooms to make your cake really stand out.
9. Edible Decorations Like Paints, Glitters, and Dusts
Nothing adds pizzazz quite like metallics. Add some sparkle and shine to your next cake with edible paints, glitter, and dusts. You could also grab some edible markers if you're decorating with fondant. Then you'll be able to draw right on the cake.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t overdo it right away. You can always add more! If you want an over-the-top metallic stunner, go for it, otherwise, add a little bit at a time so you don’t wind up with more glitz than you’d like.
10. Cake Leveler
No uneven layers on our watch! A cake leveler will make sure that everything looks straight and professional.
💡 Pro Tip: Get one that’s adjustable so you can use it for every cake for years to come!
Optional Extras
Stencil Kits: Want to add various designs without doing them by hand? Stencil kits are the perfect answer. If you’ve stenciled on anything else, you can stencil on a cake! And even if you haven’t, the learning curve really isn’t so bad.
Letter Cutters: The perfect way to create all kinds of custom messaging to add to the top of your cakes without having to handwrite it (which, let’s face it, can be a little intimidating).
Brushes for Decorative Hand-Painting: It might sound over-the-top, but hand-painting a design on your cake is such a good way to make it really stand out. Everyone will love it!
Cake Boards: These really aren't "optional," but they're not decoration accessories either. Cake boards go under your cakes to give them some added stability. If you're just making a cake that's going to stay at home, a large plate or platter might be fine, but if you're going to transport the cake anywhere, you're going to want a board.
Cake Boxes: Another good thing to have if you're going to take your cake on the go, cake boxes are a great way to ensure that your cake makes it to your special event safely.
Everything Home Decorators Need to Know to Help Them Pick the Right Tools
Pick a few: You don’t need a whole big collection of cake decoration accessories right off the bat. Start with the essentials and then branch out from there when you’re ready (or your vision for your cake requires it).
Don’t skimp: Although affordable tools might seem like the way to go, they probably won’t hold up as well as higher-quality accessories. If the tool in question is going to be put to work in your kitchen, you’re probably better off springing for one that’s a bit nicer.
Consider dishwasher-safe: Hand-washing tools is fine and all, but after spending all that time decorating, who has time?
Where to Find the Best Cake Decoration Accessories
Little Local Small Businesses: It probably comes as no surprise that we love supporting small businesses! Plus, you’re able to see the product up close before making a purchase.
Online: Online retailers like Amazon and Wilton (and plenty of others) should offer just about everything you need. Plus, with these stores, you can read the reviews before you buy, and you may not need to pay the regular price for the tools you want to try.
Keep an Eye Out for Sales: You might be able to find good deals during the holidays, on Black Friday, and in stores’ clearance sections. Plus, you might end up on email lists that'll send over exclusive offers. That way you’ll be able to get great stuff without breaking the bank.
When it comes to cake decorating, the right tools can make all the difference. Whether you’re just looking for a fun new hobby or you’ve got it in your mind to make a show-stopping stunner for an (hopefully a friend’s) upcoming wedding, these cake decoration accessories will set you up for success.
