Cake Decorating & Serving

Common Questions About Cake Decorating Supplies

What are the essential cake decorating and serving supplies?

Some cake decorating tools stand apart as universal necessities across cake-based businesses, including pie and cake cutters, markers, cake spatulas, cake and pie servers, cake stands, pastry bags, and cake decorating tips.

Why should I invest in pie and cake cutters when I already have knives?

While the average kitchen knife can quickly cut cake or pie, it isn't necessarily designed to cut smooth, uniform pieces. Cutters are made not only to evenly slice desserts but also to horizontally cut cakes, eliminating the need for a serrated knife. Pie and cake cutters are easier to use because they're constructed precisely for pie and cake cutting purposes, enabling you to cut through each layer of cake or pie without your hands touching the dessert or countertop.

Cake and pie cutters ensure dessert is cut from one edge to the other with less drag than standard serrated and chef knives. This prevents you from pushing down too hard on the cake and removing icing unintentionally in the process, something a chef knife's bulky, wide surface is prone to do. Serrated knives can cause unappealing, jagged cuts that harm the display. Because pie and cake cutters don't require a sawing motion, a smooth press is all that's needed to slice through delicate cake crumbs and flaky pie layers.

Why would I need a pie and cake marker?

While you could eyeball the placement of borders and accents on your cake or pie, this doesn't always reap the prettiest results. These cake decorating supplies provide you with an adjustable guide to create professional results rather than crafting a tasty dessert that looks homemade and hastily thrown together.

Are cake spatulas only for spreading frosting?

Cake spatulas are a foundational piece of cake decorating equipment, and while the main purpose is to spread frosting on cakes, their various sizes present multifunctional opportunities to improve your cake display. Larger spatulas can help lift cakes for transport or stacking, but for everyday use, you should purchase a spatula that's compatible with the size of your hand.

What makes a good pie or cake server?

When it comes to cake decorating supplies, cake knives and cake servers are utensil companions. The latter are cake decorating tools that ease moving cut pieces from serving stations to personal plates while effortlessly maintaining design and construction. This cake decorating equipment comes in various materials, sizes, and shapes, such as stainless steel for formal celebrations or plastic and wood for laid-back events.

The ideal cake or pie server excels in user comfort, slice removal, and cutting ability. While stainless steel models are recommended for clean slicing, they can scratch the nonstick coating of pie plates, so nylon is a less harsh alternative. Shorter, wider servers are best for maneuvering under pies or cakes and securely holding slices. An offset handle is essential because straight handles are difficult to get under pie slices cleanly and can leave crust behind. The most comfortable cake and pie servers have a rubbery, rounded grip that is easier to hold than more narrow alternatives. Options with smaller ridges will provide you with an extra grip.

Why do I need a cake stand?

Cake stands are all about embellishing the chef's hard work. Stands add to your presentation, providing the finishing touches that push cakes from a simple dessert to a celebration. These cake decorating supplies add drama and height to cake presentation and can augment a basic cake or act as the bridge that brings the design together. It can even make small cakes look bigger.

What kind of pastry bag should I get?

Pastry bags are versatile tools that are suitable for various kitchen tasks. Also known as frosting bags, piping bags, or decorating bags, they come in different materials and styles. Generally, 10- to 16-inch bags are optimal in terms of cake decorating equipment.

Best for piping thick frostings, canvas bags are recommended for traditionalists seeking something to piece their cake display together. Disposable bags are the most economical choice, but they may split if used with thick icing and can get expensive over time. Polyurethane bags are best for bakers who want durable tools that resist stains and odors, while cotton bags will soften with use and have a natural fiber exterior.

Do I need every kind of cake decorating tip?

There are two kinds of cake decorating tips: smaller ones for use with a plastic coupler and big ones used directly with the pastry bag. Any tip can create edges and borders, but certain decorating tips are recommended for specific uses. All decorating tips are assigned a number based on the size and shape of their openings, so you can try a starter set to figure out which ones work for you.

Plain tips are best for outlining details and writing, and leaf tips can make stand-up, ruffled, or plain leaves. Drop flower tips create flowers with just one squeeze and can produce cake borders and roses. Petal tips, on the other hand, make individual flower petals and curved decorations.