You know the spatula used by Spongebob to flip patties? That is a cooking spatula. So the first thing you gotta know is there are mainly three types of spatulas, baking spatulas and cooking spatulas and multipurpose spatulas..

Let’s start with Baking Spatulas first?

Alright baking spatulas or also known as icing spatulas are well of course, used for icing a cake. Now there are a few types of icing spatulas available in the market.

Just look at its slick steel surface. The Straight Spatula is used mainly for smoothening the icing on the sides of your cake. 

It’s also great to be used as a way of checking if your frosting is even and levelled.

You may choose one depending on the size of the cake and also which makes you more comfortable. (you don’t want to end up not being able to lift the spatula at all lol)

Offset (Angled) Spatula

The Offset Spatula or also known as the Angled Spatula is slightly tilted at an angle. Now this spatula also comes in various sizes.

Offset Spatulas are also awesome in making the icing on your cake smoother than the guy trying to slide into your DMs.

What’s more cool about it is the angle on it, which allows you to smoothen out the frosting without getting any of the cream on your hand. So when you are trying to spread the icing on the top of your cake, you don’t need to worry about accidentally ruining it.

This makes your job less messier, less difficult and less stressful. The Offset Spatula can be used creatively to decorate your cake.

You can also use this spatula to spread batter evenly on your cake pan. 

Cake Icing Smoother

Now the Cake Icing Smoother actually also works like a spatula where it levels out the frosting on your cake. However it looks a little different.

You can see how it is used here to smoothen out the fondant on the cake. Some even come with levelers. Just look at how useful this decorating tool is. You can smoothen out icing on the sides and the top of the cake at the same time! Perfect for “busy” people.

So we can’t use a cooking spatula for icing cakes right?

Alright you need to understand why you can’t. In order to do that, you need to know the use of a cooking spatula.

Cooking Spatula

The cooking spatula also known as a flipper or turner is used to generally flip ingredients in a pan. They have an angle too for making sure the flipping can be done with ease.

Slotted Cooking Spatula

Some have slots or holes in it to allow for movement of air. 

They can be made of metal or heat resistant plastic.

Wooden Cooking Spatulas 

Asian Spatulas are usually made of wood. 

They do not have an angle to it because it is usually not used for flipping. It is actually made for tossing food in a wok.

 You will see this tool used for tossing rice to make Fried Rice in Chinese Restaurants. *thinks of Uncle Roger’s Fried Rice* Hahaha so please don’t use it for icing. This is because the end product won’t look as good. However, you can opt to use a knife instead if you really don’t have a spatula. You may be wondering why right? Well this is because a knife also has that slick, steel surface which is needed to ensure a consistent, flat and leveled out surface.

Then when can we use the Multi Purpose Spatula for baking and cooking?

Yes! Just like it’s name, Multi Purpose Spatula or also known as Silicone Spatula can be used for cooking and baking.

The silicone material makes it very flexible and able to withstand heat. They come in various colors

This tool is great at scraping the food or ingredients on sides of your pan too. See how versatile it is. Now you know the various types of spatulas and when to use each of them. Go on then and start icing or flipping!

New to baking?

Check out our quick and easy 30 Day Guide for Beginner Bakers
What are Cupcake liners and do I really need them to make Perfect Cupcakes? Find out here.
Want to know about the best flour for cakes? Check out Cake Flour Or Some Other Flour, Help Me!
Want Bread Baking Tips? Check out Bake Bread Like A Pro: Flour Types and Tips