where and what to buy for cake decorating.

[Twit]

I have just started to decorate my own cakes, I was given a cake decorating book for my birthday after constantly complaining about the quality of birthday cakes in the supermarket.
My question is this; where [online] would you recommend I buy my bits and pieces, and what should I buy?
I have had a look around and am feeling overwhelmed by the choice. What colour paste should I go for? I am also a bit confused about edible sparkle/glitter powder. Some websites say it it inedible, some say it is non toxic and you could eat it.

Have just started myself with cake decorating and have ordered some stuff off this website www.cakescookiesandcraftsshop.co.uk
www.cakecentral.com - forum is fantastic a few brits on there aswell great for advise and how too's
I have made the most great tasting MMF fondant and is so much cheaper and nicer then shop brought.

Have just asked DH to order me that book Olihan >

on ovenproof bowls for toadstools - you just need pyrex mixing bowls/pudding basins - they are perfect for the job.

ok cool thanks. [starts to get excited, 'tis nearly christmas after all...]
I like the look of cakescookies and crafts, although I can't (atm) find all the stuff - ready made sugarpaste, cake boards (petal) although it might be that I need to keep looking!
And those chocolate heartshaped cakes on the home page look yummy.

Twit - the Silver Spoon stuff is a lot stiffer / more brittle at first than any other brand I have tried, but for end results I really like it - especially when used white as it seems to be 'whiter' than a lot of others. It just takes a little more working to start with.

I would link to my cakes but my flickr set is under my real name so I can't without 'outing' myself completely..

olihan I have just seen those pictures of your cakes and am and .

stealthsquiggle Would warming it a bit first help? I found my hands ached alot trying to sort it out.

Yes warming it up helps. Another way to do it (less hard on hands - I have rubbish hands as well so I know what you mean) is to roll it out and then squidge it back up. A third way (big capital expenditure though) is to use a kitchenaid / kenwood chef / other heavy duty mixer with a dough hook. This is (since recent acquisition of kitchenaid ) how I colour large quantities as well.

Ruby - you need flower paste for making butterflies and sugar glue (see Olihan's hint about sugarcel + water) to stick them on.

(sorry, olihan - thought I would save you the bother )

Hefty butterflies might explain it - but also, it won't really hold until it is dry - so you have to dry things on wires lying down so that there is no pressure on the glue IYSWIM

To get butterflies to stay on wires I would make a little hook on the top of the wire dip it in water, insert into the butterfly and twist. Same as for a flower bud.

I have a dough tool on my kenwood multi pro, but am worried it would be too hard at first.I like the idea of using it to colour it though.

just chop it up into cubes to start it off and it will be fine.

Xavielli [it took me several goes at getting your name right], your cakes are amazing. I also have a Nellie!

Small pieces- yup but will it still be too much for it? [pictures it going up in smoke]

Does it have an overload switch (my kitchenaid does)? If so it will cut out if it thinks it is working too hard.

erm, it might do.

Some good tips on here - especially about buying the black and red fondant instead of colouring white. I have done it and it is truly hard work, so will definitely buy ready coloured next time.

Has anyone mentioned a palette knife(scroll down the 4 x 3/4 cranked knife )

v useful bit of kit.

Hello you >

I must say, I need to invest in one of those. I have normal one, but the other one looks interesting . I am going into town tomorrow to take DS2 to the Warhammer Shop and the cakey bits shop is right next door.

You can't beat a cranked knife bella I use mine all the time for sliding under stuff that adhered itself to something it should not have, that and for mixing colours into royal icing.

WTF is a cranked knife? Is it one that is wound up and ready to go? Is it in a bad mood?

(not admitting to having spent time on lakeland site before coming here though, looking at sparkly cupcake toppings)

I live with boys. having a knife I could slide under stuff that had adhered itself to something in order to separate would be heaven on a stick.

I have linked a cranked knife bramble, do pay attention dear

Perusing on any of those cake decorating sites is danger! danger!. I do love a new plunger cutter every now and again.

Talk me through a plunger cutter please.... I bought a daisy cutter a while back and it looks like I should have got something else to go with it - could this be the said plunger? I had real trouble getting my daisy's out of the fondant. I sort of ended up making an imprint then used a really small knife to cut around it.