(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best decorating tools

Disclaimer: these are just a kickoff to get you started. Obviously, you know your girlfriend, your budget, and what's available near you best!

First things first...

How about a Funko doll relevant to her interests? https://funko.com/

How about a sock monkey hat for her Funko doll? https://www.etsy.com/listing/224767016/for-funko-dolls-miniature-sock-monkey

Baking

If she likes baking and Doctor Who, what about this cool TARDIS cookie jar? https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Tardis-Cookie-Lights/dp/B000VQZOLS/

Speaking of baking, this set is really cute and colorful: https://www.amazon.com/Joiedomi-8-Pieces-Silicone-Including-Chocolate/dp/B01H45ZGVQ/

Cake Decorating

How's she doing on tools?

Does she need tips? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IBFP7GW?psc=1

What about some inspiration? https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Decorating-Cupcakes-Cookies-Cakes/dp/1592536514/ (They even have new copies of the book available from third party sellers for cheap!)

Watching Movies

Does she like going to the theater, or does she like watching movies with you on the couch?

If the theater, movie tickets make an awesome gift, and you can usually get a gift card with a pair of two tickets pretty cheap!

If at home, make a movie gift basket! Go to the dollar store, and find her favorite candy, soda, etc. Grab some microwave popcorn. Pop it in a cute basket or even one of those plastic popcorn containers (or go to your local theater and see if they'll give you one of their cardboard ones for free...) You can throw a DVD in there, too, or one of those Redbox rental coupons, if you have that in your area.

I feel Im a bit of an intermediate cookie decorator at the moment. For someone whose just getting started on the cheap, really all you need is some ziploc sandwich bags and some toothpicks. It sounds janky, but it works quite well with simpler designs while you get some practice in. Also some food coloring gels. You dont want to use the liquid stuff because it will water down your icing and add an extra layer of frustration when trying to get your consistency right.

That aside, theres the baking side of things - baking pans and maybe a couple silpat liners (reusable silicone baking mat). They pay for themselves with the money you save from not having to buy paper pan liners. And some cookie cooling racks, which you can find pretty cheaply at Kmart.

Not much else to it. If you want to invest a bit more in it, then Id suggest grabbing a big roll of plastic piping bags, a handful of #3 tips (cheapy wiltons are fine) and couple of #1.5 tips (Id go with PME for the finer tips, theyre more consistent in size), and some couplers to go along with each tip you bought. Also a scribe tool is nifty, the finer point on it is nicer to work with than a toothpick.

Youd basically use the bigger tip for filling in areas with large amounts of icing, the finer tip for detail work, and the scribe tool to pop out the bubbles and tweak the icing once on the cookie. I still keep sandwich bags around to do the "flooding" as theyre plentiful, easy to fill, and I can mix up a bunch of colors for them easily.

Anyway, hope that helps. I linked stuff to Amazon to give you an idea of what Im talking about, but Amazon is far from the cheapest place to get this stuff. Im in the US, so I dont know where in Canada would be best to get this stuff.

It's so nice that you want to do this for your wife! Does she like to do cupcakes/cakes? Do you know what equipment she has?

For tips, I would recommend a nice set from Ateco. You can buy a less expensive version by Wilton, but I feel like their tips warp/bend way too easily. I have the 55 piece, but there is also a 14 piece version available:

https://www.amazon.com/Ateco-55-Piece-Stainless-Decorating-Storage/dp/B0000DE12F/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492868478&sr=8-2&keywords=ateco+tips

https://www.amazon.com/Ateco-14-Piece-Cake-Decorating-Set/dp/B000BVFYTA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1492868478&sr=8-5&keywords=ateco+tips

I (again) prefer Ateco's piping bags, but Wilton will also work fine. Wilton bags have split on me before, but I am also a semi-professional and very picky. :D I also prefer the smaller 12-in bags in general, because I can control the flow a lot easier.

https://www.amazon.com/Ateco-DISPOSABLE-PASTRY-BAGS/dp/B01EXHJCTA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1492868619&sr=8-6&keywords=piping+bags

https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Disposable-16-Inch-Decorating-Bags/dp/B00175TFJ4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1492868619&sr=8-5&keywords=piping+bags

She might like using these bag ties. Much easier than a rubber band.

https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-417-173-Icing-Bag-Ties/dp/B000PBZHOS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492868890&sr=8-1&keywords=wilton+bands

For cake pans, I like Fat Daddio. They're relatively inexpensive and bake evenly.

https://www.amazon.com/Fat-Daddios-Anodized-Aluminum-Inches/dp/B0000VLIH8/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1492868964&sr=1-3&keywords=cake+pan+fat+daddio

I'm not a super big fan of cupcakes, but I got my pans from Sur La Table, but there are definitely cheaper options on Amazon.

Some other general tools that are helpful are straight/offset spatulas in different sizes (Wilton, OXO, Ateco all make them), cookie scoops if she's into cookies (OXO makes very sturdy ones that have lasted nearly 10 years for me). I would also get her a kitchen scale or measuring cups spoons, parchment paper, cooling racks, cake tester/toothpicks.

I would highly recommend Ateco as a brand to focus on. I have been using my Ateco stuff for years and have yet to replace anything from them.

I would personally avoid Wilton like the plague but I know a lot of people love the brand. I find most of their stuff to be too cheap and flimsy however. With that said, the first thing I ever got was a cake decorating kit by Wilton. I used it a bit and then switched to all Ateco all the time.

As far as stuff I would recommend here you go.

Chicago Metallic Cookie Sheet

Chicago Metallic Muffin Pan

Ateco 10 piece star tip set

Ateco 10 piece plain tip set

Ateco 55 piece decorator set

Ateco 12 piece gel color set

Fat Daddio's 6x4 cake pan (this is perfect for smaller cakes, I use it when making cakes for the missus and myself)

And then of course there is the expensive stuff like a mixer and all of that.

Hope that helps. Also, sorry about the Canadian links, I have some of that on my wishlist so it was easy to get the links that way.

/u/Sp3cia1K - Thank you for all of your work on the bomb, TinyChat, and everything else that you do for this sub. You're the best and we're truly lucky to have you here. <3

For me.

For Kate. (I love this movie!)

Go Mom Go! I love when my mom gives me groceries, it's the best.

Others have linked their kitchen aid mixers, and I agree. Any stand mixer is a godsend. I have a sunbeam - because my husband couldn't fathom spending 300 bucks on a kitchenaid, but 400 on a console?

But i give you.. the Springform cake pans. My own set are pretty much dead after nearly 20 years of use. Missing the bottoms to all but one, and spots of rust, very dented. They are superior to those stink normal cake pans because you just pop the spring on the side and carefully ease away the side, then pop the ring off. Once that's done, a knife eased between the cake and the bottom and BOOM. Done. Cheesecake? BOOM. Angle food? They have a bottom for that! They a multi-tasker and we all know Alton Brown loves multi-taskers. Your arthritic hands will love them. And I conveniently have a 13 dollar set in my kitchen list that I oh so want to replace my aging ones.

And then you have yourcake leveler. My friend bought me this a couple years ago after a disastrous incident with a Spongebob pineapple house. Disastrous. Horrifying. There was yellow icing everywhere and a crying kid. I can't cut that level it would seen. It was like yellow and green icing Armageddon.

last, and honestly, it's necessary above all other things. Silpat mats. Not the red silicones, you want to look at the clear center with the orange/red outline. Non-stick, helps with baking, I have about 4 of them in my house in all sizes. Some as gifts, others I bought myself. I have even the real original french brand :D Well I did, till my husband //cut// on it and was like 'Oh, this isn't a cutting board". You'll throw out your wax paper, your parchment- okay maybe not your parchment - and convert to silpat. They are seriously, the best damn thing ever. I don't know why.

So those are my three must haves, though the springforms are the only thing on my actual amazon list. SO let's do it in the kitchen, because it can get messy!

It's not on amazon, I looked everywhere, but for starters, I think you need this tshirt. Im actually going to add it to my birthday wishlist. Lol

This spa kit came up while I was searching for Dr. Who stuff. Lol. I don't know why, but I felt like it needed to be shown to you.

Goonies mug or maybe Classic movies mug

Im bad at picking stuff out. Lol.

I'd like this wire tree or this wire ferris wheel for my craft table display, if I win!

Thanks for the contest!!!

Light-up shot glass is pretty cool!

Also these are adorable.

And here are some cookie boxes! The small size is $5.79.

If I win I'd love this off my under $5 list!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Thank you for the contest!

I don't know if you're a fan of cupcakes, but I looooove cupcakes. What could make delicious cupcakes even better? Unicorns.

Best cupcakes ever.

https://www.amazon.com/Meri-45-2311-Believe-Unicorns-Cupcake/dp/B01BMP5QQE/ref=pd_sbs_79_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=87NA4RVQXK1W9N9F6VFD

Happy Cake day!

1. Cupcake Liners!
   
   2.Emma Watson is British and so is Simon Pegg
   
   3.The picture of Dorian Grey.
   
   4.How about some colorful Straws?
   
   5.Hummingbirds are Birds, birds are animals and Hummingbirds feed on flower's nectar!
   
   6.Purple Holga!
   
   7.The Game of Life
   
   8.Claire's is my guilty pleasure:(
   
   9.Tool for Cool decorations!
   
   
2. Happy Hippo, ugh BEST ever. If you haven't tried them I urge you to!
   
   11.I need to organize those lipsticks!
   
   12.Photography
   
   13.GPS luggage tags
   
   14.To get that natural look
   
   15.Let's save on packaging and just get them all together
   
   16.I don't like bugs
   
   17.She's too funny
   
   18.Can Draw all three with these
   
   19.Wear them while gardening
   
   20.No Bookstores in my little town
   
   
   And you're getting these!
   
   rthanks for the fun contest!
   

I'm hosting the holidays for the first time and wanted to go all out for it. I'm a pretty gifted baker so I'm making several desserts including two pies, sugar cookies, an apple cinnamon cake, and the recipe I'm sharing. I decided to try something different this year and make my favourite pastry Choux! For the pastry I'm using a Better Homes and Garden recipe from an old cookbook I stole from my mother. I'm making two batches one with a pumpkin custard and the other with a vanilla. I can't remember where I got the pumpkin custard recipe so I do apologize for not giving credit to the original creator. Recipe notes at the bottom

For Pastry

Ingredients

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour*

4 eggs*

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease baking sheet and set aside.

In an medium sauce pan combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously. Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball like this. remove from heat. Cool 10 min. Add egg one at a time, beating well with wooden spoon after each. Drop dough by heaping tablespoons into 12 mounds about 3 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in oven about 30 minutes or until firm. Cool puffs of wire rack.

​

For Custard

Ingredients

3 egg yolks

1/4 cup pumpkin puree*

1/8 cup all-purpose flour*

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup of whole milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation

Combine egg yolks, pumpkin, sugar, flour, pumpkin pie spice, and cornstarch, whisk until the mixture is completely combined and smooth. Set aside. In a saucepan, warm the milk over low heat until hot, but not boiling. Add half of the hot milk to pumpkin mixture, whisking constantly. Now take pumpkin mixture and add it to the milk that's in the saucepan. Continue to cook the mixture over low heat while constantly stirring for 1 to 2 minutes or until custard is very thick. remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge until completely cooled; about 45 minutes.

​

To assemble

Now there are a couple ways to do it. The recipe says to cut off the top of each puff, remove the soft dough, spoon in the filling and replace the top. But that isn't as neat looking to me so I poke a small hole in the bottom with a knife and use a filling tool like this one to fill it with custard.* Sift powdered sugar over them and serve. You can also chill them if desired.

*I use cake flour when baking as it seem to yield better results for me.

*I also try to use room temp eggs but the recipe doesn't specify either way.

*Do not use pumpkin pie filling

*You can also use an icing bag and filling tip

Image Source

It looks like the clone wars cupcakes used fondant or possibly gum paste. (Wilton has a good website for tips about fondant http://www.wilton.com/decorating/fondant/) You roll that out and use cookie cutters or cutting tools (http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-1907-1107-Gum-Paste-Modeling-Storage/dp/B00175RMF8) to the shape you want. Like edible clay. The fondant stays soft and mold-able while the gum paste dries hard and crisp.

The cake looks like just plain frosting. You'll need a good butter cream recipe and pastry bags. Practice "writing" with the pastry bag (http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Piece-Cake-Decorating-Set/dp/B000LNQ73K/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1291141678&sr=1-1) on wax paper or something similar to get used to it. If you don't want to use pastry bags, buy the tips and use ziplock bags with a corner snipped. For the cakes, make sure you let them cool totally, and then put on a base layer of frosting to deal with the crumbs that will inevitably try to come off the cake. Once you have that, then use your colored frosting over top to decorate. That cake has a base layer of chocolate, and the other colors are layered on top. Don't use liquid food coloring to get the colors you need as it could affect the texture of the frosting. I like gels.

3.141592 is all I've ever been able to remember.

I have [these](Cake Decoration Tips-37 Piece-The ONLY KIT With BONUS Reusable Silicone Bag-X2 Coupler-X10 Disposable Icing Bag-EBook. EASY TO SET & USE-Baking Tool Supply. Professional Icing Tips-Piping Cake Nozzle. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DGEVWUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_qWuQAbATVGPPZ) cake decorating tips for decorating cakes because I like cakes. Also some silicone whisks on my list that would be great for my non-stick pots.

Personally I always need more plastic piping bags, and love getting new piping tips (especially something non-traditional like these). You could get things like meringue powder, almond flour, a microplane, a macaron mat, whole nutmeg, cute hot pads or an apron, citrus juicer. When I'm making these kind of gift baskets I try to stay away from brightly colored items (unless that's really that persons taste) because those tend to be trendy and The colors go out of style.

I taught myself cake decorating with no experience and no classes. You've got this shit. Go to Michael's or JoAnns with one of their 40-50% off coupons. Buy this thing
Cheaper than buying it all separately and comes with a lot of stuff you'll need... plus with the coupon, it's hella cheap.
Then buy this stuff rather than the pre-made stuff... it's just easier and cheaper. Just add water and or food color. It's WAY easier to tint this stuff than premade. Much less mess. You'll need some other basic supplies, but that's a really good start.

Here is an amazing resource for you.

What kind of flowers does she want? Are you solid on the rest of the cake making stuff?

You guys are amazing! This sub never ceases to amaze me.

Since I'm super lazy and I stupidly decided to make ALL of the food for my son's birthday party, this beautiful piece of machinery would make my life so much easier. Plus, I've been wanting one for years now...they're so pretty. You know you want to. C'mon...gimme ;) lol

Or if Reddit Raffle decided to have mercy on my poor little soul, these little doodads would be so nifty.

Oh this is fun! I have a huge sweet tooth, and this is what I found! Happy cake day!

Start off a little healthier: NYX Round Case Lipstick in Fig

and then move on to something a little sweeter! This is Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blush in Pink Frosting

and finally, this Etude House all over color product in Raspberry Mousse Cake

It's raining pennies :)

I'm learning to make pretty baked things instead of just tasty ones. Doing that without a piping bag and tips is difficult. xD Yesterday I made these cupcakes and piped the frosting with a ziploc bag with a hole cut in the corner, haha.

This piping tip set and these piping bags from my Baking wishlist would make it a lot easier, and they total about $11 together. Thanks for the contest!

When the cake is baking, the heat of the pan will bake the edges of the cake first and basically "set" it... thats why the hump in the middle keeps rising as it bakes. The expanding cake has nowhere else to grow. Wrapping the cake in bake-even strips (dont use wet towels, some people have started oven fires that way!) prevents the cake pan itself from getting so hot and stops the edge of the cake from baking so quickly. Now the whole cake rises and bakes evenly and you dont get that hump in the middle :)

If you use the strips, you do need to bake for a little longer though. I used to use the strips, and it just started to become tedious after a while. I started using something called heating cores instead (basically some cake nails that you place in the pan before adding batter) and they help bake up a nice, almost perfectly level cake, without having to fuss with baking strips and increasing baking time.

I'm looking through everyone else's comments to see what else I need for my kitchen haha. Right now, I'd love some ruffle piping tips! How easy was that?

I actually have used a flower nail before! Cake nails are a little thicker. These are the ones that I have.

I bought a Bismarck recently, but it only cost £3.

Admittedly it's a piping tip...