American Baker in Germany

This is a list of what I would consider essential equipment for beginning cake decorators when you're interested in working with fondant. First off, if you want to work with fondant, you have to work with buttercream or ganache at least a little bit. So, our first piece of equipment is an off-set spatula. You can't smooth fondant without having smooth buttercream underneath it.  And, of course, if you work with buttercream at all, you will need a rubber spatula to scrape your bowl.  A turntable. You will want to be able to turn your cake around while you're working on it.  A plastic rolling pin. Many people have a love-hate relationship with these, which are essentially just a long, round piece of plastic. It takes practice to roll fondant out evenly with it. But the reason you don't use a wooden rolling pin is because the texture in the wood leaves an impression on the fondant. Fondant needs a very smooth texture because it will take on any texture that come...

This may be the longest title ever, but these are, in my opinion, the equipment you will need if you are interested in cake decorating and want to try piping. The first one: piping bags. This one is a disposable piping bag. Piping bags are triangular shaped bags used to hold buttercream for piping. You can buy disposable piping bags by the 100's for reasonable prices.  This is a reusable piping bag. It should have an opening the right size for your coupler that usually comes with a set, but in my opinion, these are not strictly necessary. However, you will need either disposable or reusable piping bags if you want to pipe.  An off-set spatula. I'm showing two different ones. You won't necessarily need two, but you will need one for sure. The off-set angle allows you to smooth the buttercream on the top of a cake without dragging your hand or the handle of your spatula through it.   Of course, you will need some piping tips. I'm going to go through several ...

I was thinking about what all a beginner would need. Not a beginning cake decorator, but a beginning baker. Someone who has never made a pie or cookies. But those who want to. What would they absolutely need? Here are a few of those things I've thought of you will definitely need: Measuring cups. You will want to be able to measure your ingredients.  Of course, you also need measuring spoons. A teaspoon is not the same as a tablespoon!  I am very aware that not every culture uses measuring cups, like people do in the US, so if it's more common or if you just prefer, you will need a kitchen scale. If you only use cups and never use grams or ounces, you may not necessarily need it, but if you never use cups, it will be essential. You will need a large mixing bowl. At least one. And if you're really planning on getting into baking a variety of recipes, consider getting a glass or metal bowl to allow you to use it over a double boiler.  You will definitely ne...