Basic supply list for cake decorating

Sitting here, half asleep, sipping my coffee at 6:52 am this cloudy Saturday morning, it suddenly struck me that once again, I forgot to get a box to transport my latest cake! 

Grrr...

This has happened more often than I care to admit as of late.  I blame my darned allergies for clouding my ability to think clearly, but nonetheless, the forgetfulness must stop!  I have visited Sweet N Fancy (our local cake decorating supply store) so often this week, the wonderful ladies there don't even miss a beat when I come in. 

"Back again?" they greet me with a smile. 

Not good.

So as I sit here, I have decided to make a list of basic supplies that each cake we make requires so that maybe, just maybe, I won't forget so many things in the future.  Think of it as a master checklist, with room to customize it for specific projects.  (If my husband reads this, he will definitely tease me, as I am the queen of checklists and my talent/obsession has rubbed off on him!)

Basic Cake Decorating Project Checklist:

• design/inspirations ideas and pictures
• cake drum (AKA base board)
• cardboard cake boards (for multiple layers)
• cake box (for final transport)
• ingredients for baking cake
• cake pans
• filling ingredients
• butter cream (for filling, piping dams, and skim coating)
• pastry bags (disposable and non-disposable)
• scissors
• ruler
• decorating tips
• spatulas
• scraper/smoother
• rolling pin(s)
• sugar shaker (filled with confectioner's sugar)
• fondant
• gel paste(s)
• fondant smoother
• pastry wheel
• support dowels (if stacking)
• fondant tools & cutters
• paint brushes
• dusting powders
• vodka
• air brush machine

Since it is only 6:52 am, I may have forgotten something, but I am fairly certain that these are all of the basic things I haul out each and every time I work on any cake, so if you think of anything, be sure to drop us a line!

Happy baking!
Christina