Go Online for Cake Decorating
and Other Food Stuff
Wilton
If you are interested in sweet treats, then you need to visit Wilton. If you decorate cakes (even home based and very small time), then you've probably heard of Wilton. They have the corner on cake decorating but also on baking in general and on cookies, candy, and most anything sugar based. They even have ideas for foods that you would never expect. There are some bear burgers that have bread base (kind of Wilton with a stretch) that are stuffed with burger meat. Those are really cute and certainly kid pleasers. You may be saying: "What the . . .?" The reason these show up on Wilton is because you can use the little bear tins to make these cute burger treats.
If you are clicking around for recipes and not to buy, then you'll find that the Wilton pages are great for ideas but include items sold at the site to make these "dreams" come true. I suppose you could make little bears with your bread if you're really talented, but I'd wager that you'd probably just want to spring for the little bear shape pans. I can't really fault them for the hard sell. They are not going to get rich off telling you how to cook and bake without selling you some stuff.
One of my favorite spaces at Wilton is FORUMS. They have loads of great cooks there with ideas and recipes that will help a heap. It has a community feel there, and I know that one of the great cooks loved by all there died recently and that members really grieved over that.
Wilton is the home site for the giant in the cake decorating industry. They have all sorts of information as well as having any sort of baking related items you might want to buy (or might not but can't seem to help yourself).
I might have a problem with Wilton and this corner on the market, but they really do have quality items and at fair prices. If you invest in a hobby, then you want to be able to keep up and keep on top of things. With Wilton, you can be assured that the tips you buy today will work tomorrow with the bags sold tomorrow to hold that frosting. They could up the prices more, but they don't. The only place I see price gouge is at eBay. If you have a sudden urge to make Holly Hobby cake, then you are up the creek and paying a whale of a high price to someone who probably made the cake once and wants to get rid of the pan.
That's the warning I would give. If you want to make something hot this year, then know that you may eat the cost. Your kid wants a Harry Potter cake. Fine. You're going to pay. If that takes off, you may be able to get a lot on Ebay later. Don't count on it. I would say that Harry Potter (as far as cakes) would not hold over time. He's just not that cute in cake form. All brown and black on white.
If you want to make some special treats, then check out Wilton. They have all you'll need to get started. They constantly have new ideas and new products. They also carry the classics. You'll need basic round pounds, square pans, and some items like the thing that will level off the top of the cake. Tips and bags are constants if you decorate much at all. You'll find all that at Wilton and more.
If you deal shop, then you may find a break on price at Home Shopping Network and JoAnn. I got cookie sheets at HSN and a caddy box at JoAnn. For dated items, I do turn to Ebay. I bought a double heart and Raggedy Ann pan this week. The heart I know will never date. My mom made Raggedy Ann dolls all my growing up years and makes those for any new babies in the family, so that is always a theme around here (and I can make Ann look like Andy with minor adjustments with the frosting).
If you do want to get into cake decorating or candy or cookies or even cute stuff with other base ingredients, then I would suggest a Wilton caddy box. I don't see taking up a hobby without having some sort of system for keeping your stuff in order. If you buy a piece here or there and throw it in the drawer, then you'll never make your cakes or anything else.
I read a bunch before I decided to take the leap and buy some extra kitchen items. It was obvious that Wilton rocked for sweet stuff. I love the site and the products. I feel safe with any item purchased and with building for the future with this company. I do deal shop some and do pick up some things at other outlets, but I always know that I can find what I need at Wilton plus get some great ideas.
Wilton rocks. It's all you'd ever need to be cool in the kitchen. It can be expensive if you don't think about what you need and want and buy according to what you'll like next year too. I have to hold myself back, but I do splurge now and then. When I get that urge, Wilton can fix me up. But, they are basic as well, so I know that I will generally have stuff that will keep on keeping on as long as I don't say: "Hey, I want to make a flavor-of-the-week TV character for my kid's birthday."
