Bakeware Kit · Cakes & frosting
Buttercream Decorating Kit
Smooth sides and clean piping come from a turntable that spins freely, the right tips and buttercream at the right temperature. Start with the Essentials. The Complete list adds pro tips and a thermometer for Swiss meringue.
What you'll make: Vanilla Buttercream, Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting, Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting
Kit size
Price level ($ = lower cost)
6 Amazon items, minus anything you tick as already owned. You confirm every item on Amazon.
Start with real vanilla
From VanillaGoods · Essential
Madagascar Vanilla Beans, Grade A (5 beans)
Seeds from one bean turn plain buttercream into speckled vanilla-bean buttercream.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Seeds from one bean turn plain buttercream into speckled vanilla-bean buttercream.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Seeds from one bean turn plain buttercream into speckled vanilla-bean buttercream.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›
Measure
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Complete kit
Instant-read thermometer
Budget pick: TempPro 1-Second Instant-Read Thermometer
Swiss meringue buttercream needs the egg whites heated to 160°F.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2
Reads in 2-3 seconds and shrugs off splashes; from a maker pastry kitchens trust.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE
Reads in one second and lasts for years: the thermometer pros carry.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Skip it if you have any digital probe thermometer.
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Complete kit
Flour sifter
Bellemain 3-Cup Flour Sifter
Breaks up lumps in cocoa, powdered sugar and almond flour.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Bellemain 3-Cup Flour Sifter
Breaks up lumps in cocoa, powdered sugar and almond flour.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Bellemain 3-Cup Flour Sifter
Breaks up lumps in cocoa, powdered sugar and almond flour.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›
Mix & prep
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Essential
Hand mixer
Budget pick: Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand Mixer
All the creaming and whipping most home bakers need.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer (KHM512)
Steadier power for stiff cookie dough, and built to last.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer
Smart speeds, a light over the bowl and beaters that scrape as they mix.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Skip it if you have a stand mixer.
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Optional upgrade
Stand mixer
Budget pick: KitchenAid Classic 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer
KitchenAid's simplest tilt-head mixer; plenty for cookies and cakes.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer
The classic 5-quart Artisan: more power and a bigger bowl.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer
The classic 5-quart Artisan: more power and a bigger bowl.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›
Cool, finish & decorate
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Essential
Cake turntable & tools
Budget pick: RFAQK Cake Decorating Kit with Turntable
A turntable, tips and scrapers: everything to frost a smooth cake.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: RFAQK Cake Decorating Kit with Turntable
A turntable, tips and scrapers: everything to frost a smooth cake.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: Ateco 12-Inch Revolving Cake Stand (Cast Iron Base)
A heavy cast-iron Ateco turntable that spins true for sharp edges.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Essential
Piping bags & tips
Budget pick: Piping Bags & Tips Set
Bags and tips for outlining and flooding cookies or piping frosting.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Our pick: Piping Bags & Tips Set
Bags and tips for outlining and flooding cookies or piping frosting.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Premium pick: Ateco 55-Piece Cake Decorating Set
Ateco's 55-piece pro set for borders, rosettes and lettering.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Essential
Offset spatula
OXO Bent Icing Spatula
Spreads icing smoothly and lifts delicate cookies off the pan.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›OXO Bent Icing Spatula
Spreads icing smoothly and lifts delicate cookies off the pan.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›OXO Bent Icing Spatula
Spreads icing smoothly and lifts delicate cookies off the pan.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Essential
Cake leveler
Wilton Adjustable Cake Leveler
Trims domed tops and splits layers evenly.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Wilton Adjustable Cake Leveler
Trims domed tops and splits layers evenly.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Wilton Adjustable Cake Leveler
Trims domed tops and splits layers evenly.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Complete kit
Pro piping tips
Ateco 55-Piece Cake Decorating Set
A full set of pro tips for borders, rosettes and lettering.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Ateco 55-Piece Cake Decorating Set
A full set of pro tips for borders, rosettes and lettering.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Ateco 55-Piece Cake Decorating Set
A full set of pro tips for borders, rosettes and lettering.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Complete kit
Large star tip
Ateco #869 Large French Star Tip
A large French star tip for big swirls and rosettes.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Ateco #869 Large French Star Tip
A large French star tip for big swirls and rosettes.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Ateco #869 Large French Star Tip
A large French star tip for big swirls and rosettes.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›
Ingredients for this bake (optional)
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Optional ingredient
Gel food colors
AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste, 8 colors
Strong color from a drop, without thinning icing or batter.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste, 8 colors
Strong color from a drop, without thinning icing or batter.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste, 8 colors
Strong color from a drop, without thinning icing or batter.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Optional ingredient
Rainbow nonpareils
Wilton Rainbow Nonpareils, 3 oz
Classic sprinkles for cookies, cakes and cupcakes.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Wilton Rainbow Nonpareils, 3 oz
Classic sprinkles for cookies, cakes and cupcakes.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Wilton Rainbow Nonpareils, 3 oz
Classic sprinkles for cookies, cakes and cupcakes.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Optional ingredient
Meringue powder
Wilton Meringue Powder, 4 oz
Makes royal icing that sets hard and is safe without raw egg whites.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Wilton Meringue Powder, 4 oz
Makes royal icing that sets hard and is safe without raw egg whites.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Wilton Meringue Powder, 4 oz
Makes royal icing that sets hard and is safe without raw egg whites.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) › -
Optional ingredient
Sparkling sugar
Wilton Sparkling Sugar
Coarse sugar that stays crunchy and sparkles on crusts and cookies.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Wilton Sparkling Sugar
Coarse sugar that stays crunchy and sparkles on crusts and cookies.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›Wilton Sparkling Sugar
Coarse sugar that stays crunchy and sparkles on crusts and cookies.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab) ›
Compare Budget, Our pick and Premium
| Tool | Budget | Our pick | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cake turntable & tools | RFAQK Cake Decorating Kit with TurntableA turntable, tips and scrapers: everything to frost a smooth cake. | RFAQK Cake Decorating Kit with TurntableA turntable, tips and scrapers: everything to frost a smooth cake. | Ateco 12-Inch Revolving Cake Stand (Cast Iron Base)A heavy cast-iron Ateco turntable that spins true for sharp edges. |
| Piping bags & tips | Piping Bags & Tips SetBags and tips for outlining and flooding cookies or piping frosting. | Piping Bags & Tips SetBags and tips for outlining and flooding cookies or piping frosting. | Ateco 55-Piece Cake Decorating SetAteco's 55-piece pro set for borders, rosettes and lettering. |
| Hand mixer | Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand MixerAll the creaming and whipping most home bakers need. | KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer (KHM512)Steadier power for stiff cookie dough, and built to last. | Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand MixerSmart speeds, a light over the bowl and beaters that scrape as they mix. |
| Instant-read thermometer | TempPro 1-Second Instant-Read ThermometerSwiss meringue buttercream needs the egg whites heated to 160°F. | ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2Reads in 2-3 seconds and shrugs off splashes; from a maker pastry kitchens trust. | ThermoWorks Thermapen ONEReads in one second and lasts for years: the thermometer pros carry. |
| Stand mixer | KitchenAid Classic 4.5-Qt Stand MixerKitchenAid's simplest tilt-head mixer; plenty for cookies and cakes. | KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand MixerThe classic 5-quart Artisan: more power and a bigger bowl. | KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand MixerThe classic 5-quart Artisan: more power and a bigger bowl. |
As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. Kit picks are chosen by our editors for how well they work, not by commission. Prices and availability are shown on Amazon.
How to use it
- Beat buttercream until it's light and smooth; it should hold a soft peak.
- Hold the scraper still against the cake and turn the turntable instead.
- Practice rosettes and borders on parchment before piping on the cake.
