With all the cake and cupcake shows on TV, more and more people are starting to learn how to decorate cakes and cupcakes. It can be intimidating for a beginner to walk into a cake decorating or craft store to buy tools. Where do you start? What do you buy first? That is where I can help you.

Cakes

To start baking cakes, purchase standard size 8- or 9-inch round cake pans that are two inches high. They must be of good quality for long-term use. I suggest buying 3 or 4 because there will be times when you will need to make a three layer cake and other times when you will need to make two different flavored cakes at the same time.

Kitchen supplies needed for cake decorating include parchment paper to use as a liner for your cake pans and to use as disposable decorating bags. If you choose to use the disposable decorating bags, remember to purchase the couplers so you can easily change the tips while decorating. A sharp knife allows you to cleanly trim the dome from your baked cake without breaking it. A spatula and small turntable allow you to freeze your cakes like the pros.

muffin

To start baking cupcakes, purchase a standard-size cupcake pan and a miniature-size cupcake pan. Miniature size cupcake liners are the perfect size for toddlers and reduce the amount of cupcakes wasted. Standard size cupcake liners are perfect for adults. Also invest in cookie scoops to help you control portion sizes and ensure even cooking.

Cupcake supplies are inexpensive. Small and regular size paper liners are easy to find, as well as sugar crystals and sanding sugar used to sprinkle over frosting. To add a sparkling effect to your cakes and cupcakes, use white edible glitter.

Buttercream decoration

Basic buttercream cake decorating tools to get started include tips 3 (writing), 12 (large round tip), 21 (star tip), 104 (petal), and 352 (leaf tip). There are other tips on the market but these are the ones you will use the most.

You can create beautiful designs with these tips. Tip 12 can be used to create swirls or a continuous edge in the shape of a large ball. Tip 21 can be used to create top and bottom border designs as well as a full zigzag side border. Tip 104 makes ruffles, roses, rosebuds, curtains, and bows. Tip 352 makes sheet and continuous wave design extremely easy.

Fondant Decoration

Fondant is the medium used to create designer-looking cakes. It is actually easy to work with if you remember two things. First, after removing the fondant from its packaging, lightly coat your hands with butter and knead the fondant until smooth. You can then roll it out to a 1/4-inch thickness on a non-stick mat. Second, if your fondant is too difficult to knead, microwave it at 5-10 second intervals on 50 percent power to soften it. Proceed to spread it out and use it to top your cakes and cupcakes. For 8-inch round cakes, I roll out a 16 “round circle using a 16-inch round cake board as a template. For 9-inch round cakes, I roll out an 18-inch circle using an 18-inch round cake board as a template. There are fondant tools – specialty mats, softeners, and other supplies to help you through the fondant coating process – I have had success using two fondant softeners.

Cupcakes can be covered with 1 or 2-inch round fondant discs that can be decorated with punch cutters. Punch cutters are used to cut pieces of fondant and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. To get started, you need to purchase a set of daisy cutters, flower cutters, and a standard size leaf cutter. Wilton has a set of designer pattern presses that you should also check out. They can be used on both cakes and cupcakes and make beautiful designs. Just practice using it before decorating your cake so you know how much pressure to use to get a perfect design.

With these tips and techniques, you’ll be off to a great start as a cake and cupcake decorator. Above all, remember to have fun.