Flowers Take the Cake

Rather than attempting to dictate the entire process of creating a cake, this post will be an editorial for one small yet essential element to a cake, the decorative flowers. These flowers are made of gum paste and other “edible ” materials. However, they do not taste great, but will be a beautiful adornment on any cake.

First I made Calla Lilies. Here are 5 easy steps for creating this beautiful flower.

 gum paste shaping

cornmeal

Finished centers

1. For center, shape yellow gum paste into a log tapered at one end. Insert skewer into the wide end. Brush with piping gel and roll through corn meal in order to add pollen texture.

 2. For petal, roll out gum paste 1/16 in. thick, cut a heart shape out with a cookie cutter. Use veining tool to draw line down center of the petal.

 3. Wrap petal around corn starched dusted center, overlapping edge, and attach with piping gel.  

4. Hang upside down to dry.

5. Paint skewer green, dust flower with white pearl dust.

For the roses:

1. For center, same as the Calla Lily center, but with pink gum paste.

2. Roll out pink gum paste; using a knife cut pedal shape (as seen above). Make 15 petals in all.

3.  Wrap pointed end down on rose base, angling down to control the top. Repeat 15 times.

4. Completed bud should have tight opening at top, slightly curl back edge.
5. For calyx, cut calyx shape out of green gum paste, attach with piping gel.
6. Hang upside down till completely dry.

Flowers are time consuming, so be prepared to invest a couple of hours in order to make enough flowers for a cake.