Jumping into the world of baking and decorating cakes can be exciting, yet overwhelming if you are unfamiliar with all the tools and equipment that are necessary. There are a number of great classes, cutters, tools and ideas to sort through, which can make the actual task of getting started a bit daunting. If you would like a little assistance, use this list of the most important tools to have on hand to ensure your cake making and decorating venture is successful.
The Cake Pans
In order to make beautiful cakes, you need professional cake pans. You can tell a professional pan since they will have straight sides, rather than slanted ones. This will help to ensure the sides of your cake are straight after it is stacked, which can reduce and even eliminate the need to carve the edges down to achieve even sides.
Parchment Paper
This is the baker’s best friend. Parchment paper has a number of different uses, which include cutting circles for the base of the cake pan, allowing perfect release, or making clean up much easier. You should keep in mind that parchment paper is not the same thing as wax paper and they are not able to be used interchangeably when you are baking.
Sharp Knife
You will need a sharp knife to help and release your cake from the pans by using the blade around the edge. Additionally, having clean and sharp knives on hand can be extremely useful when you are going to be working with fondant.
Cardboard Cake Boards
Each cake that you make needs to have its own, personal cake board. These provide a sense of strength and stability to the cake and will help to hold them all together. For larger cakes, it is best to use a cake drum, which is actually three separate cake boards, which have been pressed and glued together, and then covered with foil.
Fondant Tools
There are a number of different tools, which have been developed for the sole purpose of working with fondant. The fondant smoother will help you cover your cake in fondant and smooth it onto the cake. There are also large and small fondant rollers used for rolling out your fondant.
Each of these tools are essential baking and decorating your cake. Be sure you have supplies on hand so that you will be able to make a cake at any time you want.
