Duff Goldman Goods: New Cake Baking Supplies

We've seen the Chef Duff (of Ace of Cakes) new line of cake decorating supplies in several retailers near us lately, but we hadn't had a chance to stop and take a look at them up close until this past weekend. We had assumed they were going to be products that weren't worth your time, but actually — they're kind of cool!

Cake decorating is something that has gained a new respect over the last decade with creative artists and pastry chefs popping up all over the country. No longer are cakes covered in traditional gumpaste flowers and script writing — the sky is the limit! Chef Duff Goldman really brought the limelight with Ace of Cakes, showcasing his team's work at Charm City Cakes on Food Network.

As a result, the home kitchen has evolved as we've seen more common retail stores carrying supplies to allow everyone access to this craft, giving everyone the chance to create something just as amazing at far less cost. (This isn't to say you shouldn't support local artisan cake bakers, but sometimes budget just doesn't allow.)

When we first spotted Chef Duff's line of products, we really wanted to hate it. We wanted to proudly report that they were items you didn't need and would yield poor results and would be a waste of your money. We have the utmost respect for Chef Duff and his adventures in the culinary world, but the phrase "Cake Tattoo" made our eyes roll.

His line (which we've seen at Michael's and at Wal-Mart) consists of several different items. There are box mixes, pans, pastry tips, cutters, fondant, aerosol color sprays, cake tattoos and much more. Although the average home cook should be fine without purchasing the entire line, there are several bits and pieces that will help someone a little less confident in their cake decorating skills.

The aerosol color sprays and cake tattoos (no matter how much we hate the name) would be an easy way to dress up any cake without spending hours fretting about it. The sprays would work well on icings other than fondants (we're still not a fan of the taste) and the cake tattoos are intended for use on a double layer cake or 20 cupcakes/cookies. If you'd looking to try your hand at fondant, the pre-made stuff could be an easy place to start, or you can head over to check out the additional Wilton cake decorating supplies at both these retailers if you're looking for something a little less punk-rock.

Have you seen the line of supplies yet or even used them? What was your take on things?

(Image: Sarah Rae Trover)

Comments (20)

I used to like this show when it first came on and they were normal folks and make cake people would actually want to eat.

I've seen this stuff to and just pass all the way! No way, Duff. I'm all for more readily accessible cake decorating supplies and more people trying things at home but slapping your name on a tub of nasty overproduced fondant and charging 25 bucks for the same fondant you could get for 5 elsewhere? Cake "tattoos" and making everything look like something more fitting to go on a cheap hooker than a cake? When I saw this at Michaels I rolled my eyes and walked on by.

Sorry, but ugh. Just the sight of that guy's mug makes me cringe. And unfortunately, I don't find the designs much more appealing. Not quite my aesthetic.

I'm sure plenty of people will go crazy for this though.

Well I'm definitely gonna take a look at them!

I'm not a baker of cakes, but I did a double-take when you mentioned that this stuff is available at Michael's, which I think of as a craft store. I wouldn't buy fondant and piping tips from a store that also sells silk flowers, paper tole, tole painting supplies, knitting needles, and custom picture frames. I know they also sell chocolate and stuff for making truffles, and I wouldn't buy that there, either.

Besides, unless you're trying to learn the craft of cakery, isn't it cheaper - and more reliable - just to order from a pro?

Soon to be featured in your local 50% off bargin bin....

adventurat - Michaels has sold an extensive line of Wilton and assorted cake decorating supplies. It's one of the only places many people can find such things in town without ordering (and paying for extra shipping), or having to buy large quantities. Among home bakers, it's a mecca as opposed to a turn off.

jmorri26 - Calling his designs fitting for a "cheap hooker" is kind of hitting below the belt (pun intended). Maybe they're not your cup of tea, but we can see them being punched out as cookie or cupcake toppers and being a little bold but not quite so over the top.

sarahrae- that's fair. I definitely see possibilities in them and some patterns aren't too bad (though I think most of them are.) But they're not being sold that way and the people they're marketing to aren't typically people who would think outside that box and use them in a tasteful way. I just dislike that at some point it seemed he decided he could make cake decorating edgy and hip so what does that mean? Neon cheetah prints and skulls obviously. The tattoo things I can let slide but my issue is really charging as much as they do for his junk when right next to it at Michael's is the same exact stuff from Wilton for 1/3 of the price and I get the impression they think people are dumb enough to think just cause his face is on it it must be better.

Wow, some nice venom going on here...

I might give them a try. Cake decorating has always struck me as kind of a fun thing but far, far too much work. These might remove some of the unfun labor and let it be just the fun creative part.

I usually make my own fondant since the bought stuff I've tried tastes horrible. I had to make a cake several weeks ago though and thought I'd try his buttercream fondant out. I was VERY skeptical but I have to admit it tasted very similar to the marshmallow fondant I make myself. It's not cheap, but no bought fondant really is. I'd definitely recommend it if you don't have time to make your own or are wanting a particular color (especially black!).

jmorri26 - They actually are marketed that way and specifically say so on the package, though we didn't think you would need an up close shot of the text on the packaging.

I don't think it's a matter of people being "dumb enough" to buy his product at a higher price, I think regular Wilton decorating supplies can be intimidating and with his face on them -- they aren't in the slightest.

taylorelise - Thanks for the positive feedback on the supplies, that might be the courage we needed to pay up for a supply!

The cool part about it being carried at Michael's is that they often have really good coupons, so you don't have to pay the full price. Plus, I've tried the Wilton fondant and don't like it. It's nice that they now have an alternative. Great point about the black, that has great posibilities as a background to make a design pop, like brightly colored flowers.
I agree that $8 cake mix seems a little crazy (unless that makes a ton of cake) but those plastic textural things look like a nice deal at $5. So, yeah, I'd take a look at this the next time I am at Michael's.

i'm a cake decorator at a bakery and i make/decorate cakes at home on the side. like a lot of people i rolled my eyes when i first saw the duff products. but bakeries use designs and photos on edible paper all the time, and while i think that some of the designs aren't for me that doesn't mean they're not for everyone.

my big gripe with the duff products is that i bought a can of his silver "cake grafitti" (garf on the names) for a stanley cup cake and halfway through spraying the spray nozzle clogged and wouldn't spray at all anymore. i had to take a spray top from a can of pam to finish the cake. so while i think the ideas aren't bad, i have to wonder about the quality.

Ditto for me, charlita. If Duff's fondant tastes better than Wilton's, I'd be inclined to buy it, even if it costs a little more. In the end, at least for the home baker, it's probably cheaper than ordering a brand like Satin Ice from a cake decorating supplier and paying for the shipping.

I think I'll pass on the cake tattoos, though. Yowzers.

gizellemarie - I'd be curious to know if the problem you experienced could be solved the same way a traditional can is spray paint works (by holding the can upside down or soaking the cap in warm water for a few minutes). Although it's not cool that is seized, it is a common occurrence for high end spray paint as well.

Thanks for posting Sarah Rae! I love baking in my free time and it always amazes me what can be done.

taylorelise - thanks for the tip. I tried making my own marshmallow fondant once and although it looked great it did not taste great. May I ask what recipe you use?

Thanks!

I like the textured mats and the spray, but everything else? No thanks.

Go to cakecentral.com and there is a tutorial for making marshmallow fondant. It's a lot simpler than it seems and tastes amazing (esp. with some vanilla flavoring added)!

Thanks so much! I will give that one a try :)

gizellemarie - the same thing happened with me (and a few other people that commented on it on cakecentral.com). It clogged up on me within minutes. I put a tooth pick in the tip to clean it out and a couple minutes later...clogged up again. I tried running it under hot water but that didn't work. I'm trying to soak the cap in hot water to see if that works (fingers crossed) but it is very frustrating. I didn't even get to fully cover a bow!

I've also used the fondant and I found it very similar to the fondarific brand. It worked well (tastes pretty good, you can roll it thinner, and it stays pliable longer) but I'd personally prefer fondx or satin ice. Just my personal preference.

Ok I ran across this blog trying to find someone who sold Duffs fondant in larger quantities. I read through the comments here quickly and am shocked. I can't believe people judge a product without even trying it first. I like alot of people was a little sceptical and thought this can't be any good right?! But decided to try it anyway. I couldn't have been more pleased with the fondant!! I loved it from the moment I opened it... starting with the smell... it smelled a little like candy corn which I love! Second with the taste... sweet but not too sweet... very good! I also was really impressed with how easy it was to work with and I have used several different ones. The colors are great and super easy if you are short on time to get a job done. The only thing I would change would be the price... but like someone posted above it is nice if you have the Michaels coupons and worth stocking up on if you The cakes mixes are pricey as well but also very good to work with if you need a firm, stable cake to stack or carve!! Taste great too! The tatoos are very wild but great for teen cakes or something a little more edgy. Some aren't as wild as others being that I used the stripes and dots pattern on a elmo cake I did and they were very easy to use. I did however find the color sprays to be a little wierd with the taste but it was ok in the color. Not sure I would use those again. His colored icings are great!!! The taste is obviously not like my buttercream but getting a great red color is so hard and especially if you want it to taste good. I use it to mix into my buttercream with just a touch of his red gel colors and it is spot on ond taste great. Doesnt stain your skin either. I used it in a childs play cake and it wiped right off!! I just thought I would give my opinion based on real experience. Work the cost of the products into your cost and it will be worth it!!! I have had nothing but great results and great feed back from what I have produced with it!!! Great job DUFF!!!