Simple household objects for cake decorating
The wide range of cake decorating equipment can be daunting (and expensive). While it’s tempting to invest in a collection of specialized cake decorating tools, you’d be surprised at how many everyday items you can repurpose to achieve stunning cake designs. Let’s explore the art of improvisation in cake decorating!
The Beauty of Resourcefulness
Why limit your creativity when your home is filled with potential cake decorating tools? With a little ingenuity, you can transform ordinary objects into cake-decorating tools in a budget-friendly way.
1. Toothpicks and Skewers Magic
A simple toothpick is probably the most useful item in my house. These can be used to poke holes, spread royal icing (instead of a scribe), it can be used to ruffle the edges of fondant, paint on very fine lines and more.
2. Polystyrene
When making figurines and flowers I usually put them into polystyrene, but you don’t need to purchase dummies every time, save all those pieces that come in packaging.
3. Butter Knifes and non- serrated knives
Your everyday butter knife (especially ones without serrations) can be a versatile tool for cake decorating, Achieve a smooth, polished look by gently smoothing icing, and create interesting textures and patterns by painting with a butter knife or any non-serrated knife into the icing to achieve various painted effects
4. Dental Floss Delight
Dental floss isn’t just for your teeth; it’s a secret weapon for cake decorators for levelling, achieve perfectly even cake layers by gently sliding dental floss through the cake.
5. Everyday Cookie Cutters
Use glasses, cups and lids instead of cookie cutters
6. Ziploc and Paper Piping Bags
Who needs fancy piping bags when you have Ziploc bags? Fill a Ziploc bag with icing, seal it, and snip a tiny corner to create your makeshift piping bag. Or learn to make a paper piping bag!
7. Paintbrush Artistry
Your kitchen paintbrushes can be invaluable for delicate cake details, Use clean, food-safe paintbrushes to apply edible paint, edible glitter, or edible dust for stunning details.
8. Straws
Straw make great cutters for small things like eyes, they can be pressed into fondant to create a mouth and large smoothie straws can be used as support for tiered cakes.
9. Wine bottles
No rolling pin? No problem, roll out with a wine bottle!
10. Kitchen paper
Kitchen towel paper can be used to blot buttercream to smooth the surface. Find one with minimal texture as the texture can be transferred.
Safety First
While improvising with everyday tools, always prioritize food safety. Make sure any items you use are clean, food-grade, and free from contaminants.
In Conclusion
Cake decorating is an art form, and like any art, it’s all about creativity and expression. Don’t feel limited by a lack of specialized tools. Your kitchen is a treasure trove of items that can help you achieve incredible cake decorations. Embrace the spirit of improvisation, experiment with different tools, and watch your cake decorating skills flourish. After all, the most beautiful creations often come from resourcefulness and a dash of imagination! So, the next time you’re in your kitchen, look around, and you might just find your next cake decorating tool in the most unexpected place. Happy decorating!