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We live in a world where cakes are more than cakes.
They are a sophisticated form of art.
After watching your favorite baking show, you might feel the urge to create your own cake masterpiece.
This can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t have the right cake baking tools.
Fortunately, you have come to the right place.
We have gathered the best 11 essential tools and equipment you’ll need for making that cake!
If you’re looking for the best baking tools in general, head on over to this guide!
Perhaps you’re looking for the perfect gift ideas for the bakers in your life – head on over to our ultimate baking gift guide here!
1. Cake Pans
Obviously, you’ll need cake pans if you’re baking cakes.
You may already have some, but it’s definitely worth making sure you have the right ones.
You can get a variety of shapes and sizes.
This will make it easy to bake a number of decorative cakes.
If you have two large rectangular pans, you will be able to cut out different shapes.
But it may be easier to just use different-shaped pans.
If you want to be creative with your cakes, you’ll need at least two cake pans whenever you bake.
A flat one-dimensional cake probably won’t look stunning on its own.
This set of assorted pans is a great starter set for anyone who isn’t sure which pans to get!
2. Silicone Baking Mat
Many people swear by parchment paper when it comes to baking cakes.
This allows the cakes to come out of the pan without breaking apart.
However, that can be a lot of garbage for someone who bakes frequently.
If you want to minimize your garbage, consider buying silicone baking mats.
You can buy these in a variety of sizes.
Buy some that will fit into your favorite pans!
This set has assorted shapes and sizes that will fit into most of your frequently used pans.
3. Mesh Sieve
Sifting flour is an important step when baking.
Many people (myself included) like to skip this step because it can be time-consuming.
However, the results are amazing, no matter which type of flour you use!
By sifting the flour through a mesh sieve like this one, you will get rid of any clumps of flour.
This allows you to mix the ingredients well.
It’s also super satisfying to see the flour fall perfectly through the sieve.
4. Digital Food Scale
One cup of flour isn’t always one cup of flour.
The best way to measure ingredients is by weight.
By using a food scale, you can ensure that you have the right amount of any ingredient.
This will ensure that you have the best results!
Once you start using this digital food scale, you’ll never go back.
5. Stand Mixer
An electric mixer will speed up the baking process.
It will also bring relief to your stirring muscles.
A stand mixer will have even more benefits.
You can set the speed and walk away.
Or at least check the recipe for the next step.
You can also count on the stand mixer to mix more thoroughly.
With an electric hand mixer, you need to make sure you’re holding it correctly.
With a stand mixer, the mixer stays in place so it will steadily stir the batter until it is ready.
Most bakers will tell you that you need a KitchenAid stand mixer if you want to become the best baker possible.
6. Pastry Blender
If you’ve ever struggled to stir butter into your cake batter, then you need a pastry blender in your life!
Most recipes use softened butter.
This can be hard to mix up thoroughly.
A pastry blender has a handle with multiple metal strips that will slice the butter.
You basically just chop up the butter as you mix it into the other ingredients.
I was a bit mind-blown the first time I saw one of these.
Make sure you buy a sturdy one that will stand the test of time, like this one!
7. Food Processor
A food processor easily chops, shreds, or purees nearly any type of food.
Many bakers use a food processor (like this one) to prepare decorations for their cakes.
It’s perfect if you want cookie crumbles to sprinkle over your cake.
You can also use it to chop up nuts.
Maybe you want to slice fruit to use as a decoration for your cake.
You can even use a food processor to grind your own flour.
Homemade flour is a fresh and healthy alternative to store-bought flour.
8. Offset Spatula
An offset spatula has many uses when baking cakes.
It can help you to spread the batter evenly into the pan.
It can also help you to get the cake out of the pan once it’s cooked.
It’s designed to help you evenly spread icing on cakes.
And it makes cupcakes even easier to ice.
Find one with a good handle (this one is our favorite!) and you’ll be able to fine-tune your cakes in no time!
9. Bench Scraper
While bench scrapers are widely used for cutting pastries, a lot of people use them to ice cakes.
You may prefer using an offset spatula, but many people prefer using a bench scraper.
Then there are the people who keep both on hand because they use them both frequently.
There are pros and cons to both of these tools.
Bench scrapers are bigger, which means they can smooth icing more quickly.
This bench scraper also has a list of measurement equivalents.
So it’ll come in handy whenever you’re baking a new recipe!
10. Icing Tips
You can try to decorate a cake without icing tips, but you probably won’t have good results.
These cake baking tools are essential for anyone who wants to decorate pretty cakes with colorful royal icing (check out our classic royal ice recipe here).
There are a variety of icing tips that will allow you to create many different decorations.
If you get a set with several icing tips, you’ll be able to experiment with them and decide which ones are your favorite.
A high-quality metal set of icing tips will last for years even if you use them frequently.
That’s why we turn to this 55-piece set when baking, because of the variety of shapes and high quality material.
11. Serrated Knife
Serrated knives are the best option for cutting cake.
You’ll definitely want to have a serrated knife on hand when serving your beautiful masterpiece.
They will also come in handy if you ever need to cut the cake during the decorating process.
If you want to cut a special shape out of your cake, definitely use a serrated knife.
Any other type of knife may cause the cake to crumble when you cut it.
We love this serrated knife because it’s razor sharp and budget friendly, and it avoids giving you a crumbly cake which we see happen all too often.