With so many delicious-looking sweets on baking shows and social media feeds, there has never been a better time to consider decorating your own cakes! If you're aiming for that professional look, with neat designs made from frosting, then a cake decorating kit is essential. These kits will provide you with all of the tools you need to make beautiful cakes at home.
We looked online to find the best cake decorating kits on the market. Our favorite pick is the 71-Piece Cake Decorating Supplies Kit by Kootek because it has high-quality tools that every beginner needs to get started and is easy to use. Keep reading for more of our favorite products, and check out our buying guide reviewed by a cake decorator and pastry chef to learn more about choosing the right cake decorating kit for you!
I am a pastry chef of 10+ years, classically trained. I'm also the owner and operator of Bleu Moon Bakery - Vegan (2016-2021). My newest endeavor (small business) - Baby Cakes - creates custom cakes and treats with allergy-friendly options.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
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Table of Contents
Before you purchase a cake decorating kit, there are several things to consider. These include your experience level, the tools you need, and the style of piping tips required for your designs. Our buying guide will help you make your decision and ensure you get the right kit for you!
The best kit to buy depends on whether you are a beginner buying your first kit or someone that has experience. This also applies if you’re looking to decorate cakes with your little ones as opposed to alone or trying something more advanced.
If you’re an absolute beginner or looking for something kid-friendly, then a small kit with less than 50 pieces would be more than enough. Some kits are even made specifically for smaller hands. Kits that come with instructions are best for kids and beginners.
For intermediate or advanced decorators that want to expand their collection, the larger kits are best. Larger kits come with a big collection of piping tips, different cutting shapes, and a wide variety of other specialized tools.
When you are a beginner at any age, it is always best to start small and then build from there. You don't want to purchase something too large or advanced on your first try, or your odds for success will become very slim. The same goes for children; it is best to build their skills rather than just throw them in.
Beginners should keep the amount and type of piping tip simple. There are six types of tips, with round and star tips being the most user-friendly. It can be difficult to tell different-sized tips apart, so save yourself some time by buying numbered tips that come with a guide. Plastic piping tips are best for beginners and are disposable, but stainless steel piping tips, if cleaned correctly, can last for a long time.
If you are interested in doing intricate decorations, you may want a wider variety of tips. Look for a kit that has plenty of tip shapes and sizes so you can achieve any design. There are several specialty tips including the grass and triple star, which require techniques that might make them more difficult for beginners.
It is also possible to buy items separately, so if you do find a kit that has most of what you need then you could always buy the missing tools on their own.
Coming from a professional pastry chef, you can't have enough tips, quite honestly. For only reasons the pastry gods know, piping tips always disappear and at a very alarming rate, never to be seen again. For deciding the type, all star and round tips can take you far. If buttercream flowers are more your style, getting a kit is quite helpful.
For specific decorations, it helps to make a list of the tools you need and make sure the kit you purchase includes these! A cake leveler is a very useful tool, which cuts off the dome of the cake, so you have a perfectly flat top to layer and decorate.
You might need a cake board as well, which is a cardboard base that you decorate your cake on. Cake boards also make it easier to move your cake. Another important tool for a cake decorator is a turntable. This is a spinning platform that provides an easy way to evenly and quickly decorate your cakes.
Other essentials include spatulas and scrapers. These tools help lift, turn, and move your cake and keep your frosting smooth and level respectively.
To keep all of the small items, such as tips, clean and tidy, look at kits that come with their own storage box. Many come with little pegs that you can rest the tips on so they don’t get lost or have compartments specifically for small tips.
Icing can be made far easier with couplers. These are two-piece plastic tools that fix to the bottom of a piping bag and keep the piping tip in place. They also make it easier to switch tips even if the bag is full of frosting.
Fondant tools can help you level up your decorating skills! Rolled fondant is a special type of icing made of melted sugar, corn syrup, and water. It gets rolled flat and used to cover cakes and cupcakes in a smooth, sweet layer. A popular tool for decorating fondant is a brush to add glitter, color, and brush off flour.
Shape cutters are also a useful tool, as they allow you to cut the fondant into cute shapes to add to your pastry. Even rolling pins can be used to make designs. Some rolling pins are made with patterns built into them, like quilt or flower patterns.
Another great decoration for fondant is a stencil. You can make numerous stunning designs with stencils. Stencils are best used with thick but spreadable royal icing. A simple technique is laying the stencil on your fondant after it has cooled and spreading your icing over the stencil to sprint your design onto the cake.
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Kootek's 71-Piece Cake Decorating Kit is the best product for beginners. Many cake decorating kits are beginner-friendly, but this kit is ideal because it sticks to basic tools: 12 basic piping tips, a turntable, a leveler for making even layers, and more. In other words, you shouldn't feel overwhelmed. A numbered guide is included to show you how to use each tip.
A few reviewers remark that there aren't instructions for attaching the coupler and piping bags, and a few items were missing from their kits. But, most reviewers like that this product is lightweight, the turntable glides smoothly, and that it's easy to use. They also like that the kit comes with a reusable, silicone piping bag and 50 disposable piping bags.
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Cakebe's Cupcake and Cake decorating kit is the best kit for kids. This kit is contained in a stylish, compact storage caddy and includes an e-Book that kids can use to learn new designs. The stainless steel tips are numbered with a guide for easy use and includes a brush for cleaning. The storage box is designed for neat organization.
Some reviewers comment that they were missing pieces and the storage caddy is small and flimsy. However, most reviewers agree that this kit is excellent for children to learn how to decorate pastries. They also like that the tips aren't sharp and the kit’s small size makes it easy to store. Many customers buy this set as a gift for their loved ones, as well.
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Docgrit Cake's 85-piece Cake Decorating Kit is the best kit for small cakes. The silicone turntable is 10.8 inches and can be easily stored in the refrigerator without messing up your design. There are 12 numbered, stainless steel piping tips that come with a guide for easy use. The plastic turntable is food-grade silicone and is BPA-free. The kit includes 50 disposable piping bags to get you started.
Some reviewers remark that the tips are not durable and that the coupler is too small for some of the tips. However, many other reviewers say that this kit is great for beginners, is easy to use, and makes a great gift. A stainless steel flower nail is included to practice flower shapes and a cleaning brush is included for easy cleaning.
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This 14-Piece Cake Decorating Kit by Kootek is the best product for simple, quick projects. There are six basic stainless steel piping tips, a silicone turntable, and a cake leveler to help anyone complete fast, easy designs. Three icing smoothers with different textures and a reusable silicone icing bag are also in this kit for those that need to whip up something in a pinch.
A few reviewers say that the leveler is loose, the piping bag tears easily, and the tips are too small for decorating cakes. Yet, most reviewers comment that it makes cake decorating very easy, is kid-friendly, and that the turntable was very steady. They also like how many designs can be achieved with this small kit despite the lack of more specialized tools.
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This 203-Piece Cake Decorating Supplies Kit by RFAQK is the best kit for all skill levels. It includes a wide variety of tools for decorators from beginners to advanced. The piping tip guide chart, baking supplies, and e-Book of recipes will be helpful to beginners. The seven Russian tips, specialty tips, and fondant decorating tools will appeal more to intermediate and advanced bakers.
A few reviewers note that the tips, spatulas, and turntables are too small. They also say that some items were missing or broken. On the other hand, most reviewers like that this kit has all products that beginners and students need to get started, They also find the included e-Book helpful and the tips and materials are easy to clean.
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This 50-Piece Professional Cake Decorating Kit is the best product for large cakes. The aluminum alloy turntable is 12.2 inches, instead of the standard 10 or 11 inches, making it perfect for decorating bigger cakes. All the tools in this kit are stainless steel, so they are durable and dishwasher-safe, as well. There are 10 numbered piping tips with an included guide. There is also a cake leveler for making quick, neat layers.
Some reviewers claim that their kits were missing pieces and that the tools are of low quality. However, many customers like how solid and sturdy the turntable is, that cake decorating was quick and easy, and that the materials are good quality, particularly the turntable. There is also an e-Book that comes with every purchase to get people started or introduce new recipes.
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Kootek's 47-Piece Piping Tips and Bags Set is the best product for painting fondant. This kit has six different brushes for panting fondant, unlike other sets that only have three or none. It also has 30 numbered, stainless steel tips and a labeled storage box. Two reusable silicone bags are included, as well.
Some reviewers feel that the tips are too small and the storage box is flimsy and breaks easily. On the other hand, many other reviewers like that the tips are easy to clean, beginner-friendly, and that the pieces and caddy are durable. A booklet with all information is included for novices and there is also a decorating pen to add writing or small designs.
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Wilton's 55-piece Master Decorating Tip Set is the perfect kit for variety in designs. The unique 55 piping tips include several basic round, star, and leaf tips and multiple specialty tips like the ruffle and basketweave tips. The tips are numbered and include a detailed guide for beginners. There are two flower nails to create beautiful floral designs for your cakes.
Some reviewers comment that their kits arrived with broken flower nails and were missing tips. A few also wish that piping bags were included. Yet, most reviewers love how portable the caddy is, the quality of the tips, and that they are easy to clean. These tips are dishwasher-safe and great for bakers of all experience levels.
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Taiker's 493-Piece Cake Decorating Kit is the best product for decorating cupcakes. This kit features an enormous selection of cupcake wrappers, including eight silicone cupcake cups, 40 brown paper cupcake cups, 40 white cupcake cups, and 100 cupcake wrappers. This kit not only has 55 piping tips, a leveler, and a smoother, but it also includes whisks, three cake pans, and other baking supplies. All tools are made of BPA-free silicone and stainless steel.
A few reviewers claim that the cake pans leak and quite a few items, like the turntable, arrived broken. However, many reviewers love the large number of tools and supplies that come with the kit and often give this decorating set as a gift. They also say that many of the items are durable and how great these products are for beginners.
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This Wilton Ultimate Cake Decorating Tool Set is the best kit for professionals. Wilton is well-known for crafting expert cake decorating tools and this 263-piece set is no exception. This kit includes basic tips, spatulas, and advanced tools like specialty tips, brushes, stencils, and cut-outs for decorating fondant. All of these incredible tools are contained in a well-organized caddy for easy storage and access.
Some reviewers remark that their caddies were damaged and that some of their tools were missing. However, many other customers love having a wide variety of tools all in one place. They also like that this kit has tools for both beginners and expert bakers. Amazon also offers the storage box as an individual purchase in case it needs to be replaced.
Before decorating, you need to make sure that you have a delicious cake to bake! Whether you prefer to make a cake out of a boxed mix or make one from scratch, here are some products that can help you improve your baking game.
If you need more options for decorating your cakes, we included Amazon's best-selling cake decorating kits so you can add to your collection and keep making beautiful pastries.
In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Shayanne also took the time to answer some commonly asked questions about cake decorating.
"Each cake decorating kit will come with a different learned skill and set of instructions," Shayanne explains. "It's best to follow the directions on the package even if you think you know better, at least for the first time. It will help you learn as well as achieve a close example of the desired outcome on the box."
Shayanne says, "Cake decorating is a great career if it is something you are passionate about or enjoy. It is long hours of tedious work - usually bent over - which can be physically hard on most. But if you're passionate about cake decorating or if it brings you much joy, is it even really work?"
"There are multiple types of cake icing that you can use and make at home," Shayanne states. "It depends on the desired effect that you would like to achieve. 3D effects would be best achieved with frosting made of a combination of fat and sugar. Typically, butter and powdered sugar are whipped together with flavorings and colors to make a buttercream.
There are also 2D effects that you can achieve with royal icing, or a combination of powdered sugar and water or egg whites. With this, you can achieve intricate, delicate details as well as writing."
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