A spatula is a kitchen utensil with a broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread and lift food items. It is commonly used to flatten or spread ingredients such as batter or icing. The flattened spoon, also known as a spatula, is a variation of the traditional spoon shape that has been flattened to make it easier to use for spreading. It is often used for tasks such as scraping the sides of a bowl or spreading frosting on a cake.