How do professional pastry chefs make it look so easy? They layer cakes with smooth icing, and cupcakes with perfect mounds of frosting, and there's not a crumb in sight. Sure, they’ve got culinary training, but they’re also using an indispensable tool: an offset spatula. The best offset spatulas apply icing and other creamy ingredients in uniform swipes, so you too can make bakery-worthy creations. But there’s more to consider in an offset spatula than you might think. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you shop:
As the name suggests, an offset spatula is simply a straight blade or spreader that's bent at an offset angle from the handle. This keeps fingers and knuckles at a distance from whatever you’re spreading, whether it's icing, batter, or condiments like nut butters and mayonnaise.
First consider the material of the spatula. Stainless steel blades offer flexibility for spreading and strength for lifting cakes or slices. You'll also want a handle that is easy to grip so you can maintain control while using it, even with greasy hands. Some manufacturers include the handle in the spatula’s overall length, so make sure to read the fine print so you know the length of the spreader, specifically. (I've done the legwork on this for you.) Lastly, since icing cakes and spreading batter can be a bit messy, you might want a dishwasher-safe spatula to make cleanup easy. Keep in mind that dishwasher-safe spatulas may cost a bit more.
With the right tools (and a little practice), anyone can look like a pro in the kitchen. The best offset spatulas below will help you do just that!
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