Cake, cupcake and cookie decorating tools come in handy when birthdays, events and the holidays come around. Single, Married, with children or post-children, cake decorating is always an appreciated skill and is a great hobby. For me, it has become my career and I look forward to sharing the passion with you.

A fantastic job cannot be completed without the right tools, right? (Ever try to sweep your living room carpet because the vaccuum cleaner was broken? Doesn't work really well does it?) The same rule applies to using baggies with the end cut off for piping icing.<Ick> The results are vastly different when the proper tools are used. There is no comparison.

Well, here is your Complete List to set up your cake decorating at home with a basic set of essential cake decorating tips and tools.

You will find it only costs a tiny bit of money to start up your decorating endevour! In upcoming articles, I will show you how to use these tools to gain your desired designs.

Cake decorating tools are each designated a universal number or a number/letter code by the manufacturers. The codes provide the easiest way to identify the tool's specific uses throughout the pastry arts industry.

How to read the list: You will only need one of each tool written in bold. To save a great deal of time, I recommend buying 2 or 3 of each tool if you have the few extra bucks to spend on them. Extra tools save you messy, time consuming clean up between colors.

•  The # 4 Tip is my personal favorite. Some prefer a # 3 instead. (Costs approx. $1.00)
• # 3 is optional and provides a smaller hole for more detailed work, but the difference between a # 4 tip and a # 3 tip is negligable.

Most cake decorating sets will come with both of these writing tips. I use all Wilton decorating supplies through Wilton.com and Wilton's Annual Tent Sale.

• # 352 (Costs approx. $1.00)

•  #125 (Costs approx. $1.00)

As indicated above, this # 125 tip is used for rose petals, other flower petals AND balloons.

• 1 1/4 inch (Costs approx. $1.00)

 # 32 (Costs approx. $1.00)

 11 inch Angled spatula.(Costs approx. $6.00)

Buttercreme Icing Ready-To-Use

• 5 lb. Tub White (Costs approx. $15.00)

Icing Colors

• Primary Set of 4-12 Colors (Costs approx. $5.00-13.00)
• Pastel Set of 4-6 Colors (Costs approx. $5.00-$8.00)

Couplers

• Coupler Ring (Costs approx. $2.00)
• Coupler (Costs approx. $2.00)

A coupler is designed to make cake decorating easier and minimize more mess and dishes to do later. I highly recommend purchasing couplers.

Disposable Decarating Bags

• One roll Small (Costs approx. $5.00 for a roll of 12)
• One roll Medium (Costs approx. $5.00 for a roll of 12)

Turn Table

Optional but handy (Costs approx. $15.00 for the least expensive/good table)

Child-sized scissors

• Make sure they are NOT "safety-scissors" (Costs approx. $1.00)

Store-Bought Cake Mixes are best. (Costs approx. $2.00)

Any Decorations or Sprinkles (Costs approx. $.60 cents each)

Cake Pans

• 8 inch (One or two)
• Sheet Cake Pan (any size Height and Length, Width should be atleast 2 inches)

Cardboard- Cut to an inch wider on all sides of cake.

Tip Sets are very handy because they come in a carrying case to keep all of your tips organized. These sets tend to include tips that are not mentioned below, but are definately fun to play with for the beginner and used frequently by the advanced decorators. I use the Master Tip Set from Wilton.