Guest Picks: Tools For Clever Baking
I think we have the cupcake to thank for triggering this appreciation of cute treats years ago. More and more people have adopted an "I can make that myself" approach to not just cupcakes, but cake pops, marshmallows, cookies, pies, chocolate and candy. And with infinite inspiration available at our fingertips, the more unique, artistic, striking and even humorous, the better.
These products are all a sign of our modern baking, I believe, wherein crafting cleverness from sugar and flour is the mission of many.
— Meaghan From The Decorated Cookie
Make it easy on yourself and get some pretty cupcake wrappers and flag toppers to dress up sweets. (Heck, I won't even tell if you buy the cupcakes already made.)
These letterpressed cookie presses would make some great ransom note cookies. So think about what you want to pilfer from your friends. They'd get cookies out of the deal, so win-win.
For super-easy decorating, add premade edible daisies to cupcakes, cakes, cookies — takes mere seconds.
Silicone molds are great for shaping candies and chocolates. Find tons of unique and clever molds at this Etsy shop, including skeleton keys.
Or stick with the classics. You'll find a massive collection of traditional molds inspired by centuries-old designs for springerle and speculaas cookies.
Push pops are all the rage now. They are the perfect container to display and package cute treats. Fill with candies, cookies, cake and ice cream. Now that the trend has taken hold, the containers aren't as difficult to find.
A prime example of a trend gone viral, not just on the Internet, but in reality: cake pops. An entire industry has grown around Bakerella's genius idea. They now even sell cake pop shapers. No more pinching and rolling!
I keep thinking the mustache trend will fade, but gosh if it doesn't just keep hanging on. This silicone mustache mold can be used with cake, candy, Jell-O or anything moldable.
Hi ya! Take that cookie stealer. Karate, being a ninja, whichever is your thing, these cookie cutters are for you.
Do you know how difficult it is to find science-themed cookie cutters? It is very difficult — I've tried.
Stamp your homemade goods with pride: I made this! Now eat it.
We all need a bit of disco in our lives — sparkly pink disco dust, that is. The stuff comes in every color and adds just the right amount of party to your icing or fondant.
Like making cakes and playing '80s video games? Yeah, me too. None of these new fangled video graphics, I want the blocks moving in right angles across the screen. Classic games, classic cakes.
Do you know how difficult it is to find camera cookie cutters? It is very difficult — again, I've tried.
Why waste all that time in fresh air camping when you can make s'mores in the microwave? I'm just sayin' is all.
Without doubt, my most used decorating tools are tips, bags and couplers. You can't get by without these. While I use plain round tips for cookie decorating, this set of textured tips is perfect to get you started cake and cupcake decorating.
Cake pops, pie pops, waffles, whoopie pies — Babycakes makes all kinds of treat gadgets. I know what you're thinking, "Where am I going to store yet another gadget?" That's what I thought, too, when I got the Donut Maker. But dang if those doughnuts weren't extremely tasty, quick and easy to make.
For precise, pretty, but quick and simple cake decorating, stick with stencils.
Without doubt, one of my favorite decorating tools is the simplest: Cupcake picks. Nowadays you can find the most eclectic mix of bizarre plastic items to put on cupcakes; there's something to match every personality or inside joke.
These little cake pans have a 3-D "fossil" at the bottom, which needs to be unearthed by eating your way through the"dirt." How fun for dinosaur-loving kids (or paleontologist bakers)?Next: Baking Stations Make Cooking More Fun
Cookies and cupcakes have had plenty of time in the spotlight. Is it time for pie? Specifically, mini pocket pies in apple, star and circle shapes? These are on my wish list.
Q