What to buy for a cake decorating workshop
Use this shopping list to prepare a hands-on cake decorating workshop without last-minute supply runs. You will need cake bases, decorating tools, individual workstations, serving items and materials for participant information. Plan quantities from your final participant list: most shared tools can be bought per table, while piping bags, worksheets and cake boxes should be available for every participant. Check dietary requirements before ordering cake bases and portioning ingredients.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Work tablesqty 6
- Chairsqty 14
- Reception desk
- Tableclothqty 6
Tableware
- Pastry platesqty 16
- Coffee cupsqty 16
- Glassesqty 16
- Teaspoonsqty 16
- Pastry forksqty 16
Kitchen
- Mixing bowlsqty 12
- Measuring cupsqty 6
- Measuring spoonsqty 6
- Palette knivesqty 14
- Rolling pinsqty 12
- Cake turntablesqty 12
- Piping bagsqty 24
- Nozzlesqty 36
- Scouring spongesqty 4
- Cutting boardsqty 6
- Kitchen knivesqty 6
- Baking traysqty 12
- Coolersqty 2
- Ice packsqty 8
Equipment
- Hand mixersqty 6
- Kettle
- Coffee maker
- Refrigerator
Decorations
- Name badgesqty 14
- Worksheetsqty 14
- Cake boxesqty 14
- Cake boardsqty 14
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 3
- Towelsqty 12
- Dish brushesqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Pre-baked cake bases - 14 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Powdered sugar - 3 kilograms
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilogram
- Wheat flour - 1 kilogram
- Eggs - 12 pieces
- Vanilla extract - 1 bottle
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Mascarpone - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Raspberry jam - 2 jars
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Cocoa powder - 250 grams
- Red coloring - 1 bottle
- Blue coloring - 1 bottle
- Food coloring yellow - 1 bottle
- Green coloring - 1 bottle
- White rolled fondant - 2 kilogram
- Roll fondant pink - 500 grams
- Blue rolled fondant - 500 grams
- Roll fondant yellow - 500 grams
- Edible glitter powder - 3 jars
- Edible pearls - 3 jars
- Sugar pearls - 4 bags
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 bags
- Colored sprinkles - 4 bags
- Chocolate chips - 500 grams
- Mini marshmallows - 2 bags
- Edible flowers - 4 containers
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Paper straws - 20 pieces
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat drink - 2 liter
- Sugar - 500 grams
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Still water - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 liters
- Orange juice - 3 liters
- Paper napkins - 2 packs
- Paper table runners - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cocktail picks - 1 box
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 1 roll
- Hand soap - 2 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer - 2 bottles
- Disposable gloves - 1 box
Tips
- Order and check the cake bases several days before the workshop, then keep them chilled until you are ready to use them. Include at least one spare base for every 10 participants in case a cake is damaged.
- Set up one workstation for every two to four participants, with a mixing bowl, measuring tools, rolling pin, palette knife, piping bags and nozzles within reach. This reduces queues for shared equipment.
- Buy one cake box per participant, plus two extra boxes for mistakes or damaged packaging. Confirm the box dimensions against the finished cake bases before shopping.
- Allow one coffee cup, glass, teaspoon and pastry fork per participant, then add roughly 10% extra for breakages and late arrivals. Prepare coffee and tea separately from the decorating tables.
- Prepare name badges and worksheets before participants arrive, and buy enough decoration materials for each person to practise as well as finish one cake. Keep sponges, knives and other cleaning supplies ready for the final tidy-up.
Frequently asked questions
- What do I need for a cake decorating workshop?
- For each participant, plan a cake base, cake box, worksheet and name badge. Shared equipment usually includes mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, palette knives, rolling pins, cake turntables, hand mixers, piping bags and nozzles. You will also need serving supplies, coffee and tea equipment, coolers and cleaning sponges.
- How many cake decorating tools do I need per person?
- Provide one basic decorating setup for every two to four participants, depending on how much equipment you have. Piping bags, nozzles and palette knives are easier to manage when each participant has their own or shares with only one other person. Have at least one spare setup for every 10 participants.
- How many cake boxes should I buy for a workshop?
- Buy one cake box per participant and add two spare boxes for every 10 participants. Check the internal dimensions before ordering, because decorated cakes often need more height than undecorated cake bases.
- When should I order cake bases for a decorating workshop?
- Order them at least three to five days before the workshop so you can check the delivery and replace damaged bases. Keep them refrigerated until the session, and confirm dietary requirements before placing the order.
Start this plan in Lizzt
Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.
Organize this event for free with LizztOrganize for free and invite your contacts!