Painting Wedding Cakes: White Or Not?

A white wedding cake is a classic choice, but it can be fun to experiment with colours and decorations. While painting a cake white is an option, it's worth noting that this was traditionally a symbol of wealth, as only the rich could afford white flour and sugar. Nowadays, there are many ways to decorate a wedding cake, from fresh flowers to hand-painted designs and colourful patterns. So, if you're thinking of painting your wedding cake white, why not get creative and try something new?

Painting on buttercream vs fondant

Painting a cake is a great way to decorate your wedding cake. A white wedding cake, either covered in fondant or buttercream, is a classic choice.

Painting on Buttercream

If you want to paint on buttercream, it is important to start with a cold cake. Cold buttercream is firm enough that the paint won't mess up the surface. Chill your buttercream-frosted cake for at least an hour to make sure the frosting is completely firm. If the buttercream starts to soften as you paint, take a break and put it back in the fridge until it hardens again. You can use gel food colouring straight from the bottle or make your own paint by mixing it with a high-proof, flavourless alcohol.

Painting on Fondant

Fondant is a more popular choice for a traditional wedding cake style. It can be a brilliant white and is far more versatile. It can be used for modelling and is the best choice for vibrant novelty cakes. Fondant tastes very sweet and has a rubbery/leathery texture. It is far sturdier than buttercream and can be used as a base for heavy decorative elements.

Fondant is a better choice if you want a brilliant white cake or if you want to add heavy decorative elements. Buttercream is a better choice if you want a softer, less sweet look and feel to your cake. It is also a better choice if you want to add flavour to your icing.

Using thinned buttercream as paint

Painting a cake with thinned buttercream is a fun and easy way to decorate a wedding cake. Here are some tips for using thinned buttercream as paint:

Preparation

Before you start painting your cake, there are a few things you'll need to do to prepare. First, make sure you have all the necessary tools, such as a paint tray, synthetic paintbrushes, and icing gel colours. You can find these items at most craft stores or online. It's also important to sketch out your design idea and mix your colours before you begin painting.

Chilling the Cake

It's crucial to chill your cake before painting it with thinned buttercream. This will help the buttercream firm up, creating a smooth surface to work on. Avoid using the freezer to chill your cake, as this can cause condensation, making it difficult to paint. Instead, place the cake in the fridge for at least an hour before painting.

Painting Techniques

When painting with thinned buttercream, it's best to work from back to front. Start by laying out your background and getting it to a place you're happy with. Then, move on to the midground and foreground, adding details and shading as you go. Use thin brushes for outlining and slightly wider brushes for filling in larger areas. Take breaks as you work to chill the cake and prevent the buttercream from softening.

Troubleshooting

If you make a mistake or need to make corrections, simply chill the cake again and use a warmed bench scraper to carefully remove a thin layer of frosting. Remember to keep your house cool while working to prevent the buttercream from sweating.

Making edible paint with gel food colouring and clear alcohol

Painting a cake is a fun and creative way to decorate your wedding cake. You can opt for a hand-painted floral design, or even a watercolour or ombre effect. If you're going for a white wedding cake, you can add embellishments to make it stand out.

To make edible paint with gel food colouring and clear alcohol, you'll need a few simple ingredients and tools. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Gather your supplies: gel food colouring, clear alcohol (such as vodka or Everclear), a small stain-resistant bowl, and paintbrushes dedicated to food use.
• Prepare your surface: For painting on cakes, it's best to use a flat, light-coloured surface. Fondant cakes or cookies with royal icing work well. Ensure your icing is smooth and not too porous, as this can affect the absorption of the paint.
• Mix your paint: In your bowl, combine a tablespoon of vodka or Everclear with gel food colouring. Add more colouring or alcohol to achieve your desired colour concentration. For gold paint, use edible gold lustre dust instead of food colouring.
• Paint your cake: Dip your brush into the paint and blot any excess on a paper towel. Start painting your cake with light layers of colour. For intricate details, use a thin brush. You can always build up the colour as you go.
• Let it dry: The alcohol in the paint will evaporate, leaving behind only the food colouring. This process ensures that your cake is safe to eat and won't have any residual alcohol taste or odour.

Remember to practice food safety and hygiene when handling food and beverages. Enjoy decorating your wedding cake!

Choosing the right paintbrush

Painting your wedding cake is a unique way to add a creative touch to your special day. If you're taking on this task, choosing the right paintbrush is essential. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect brush for the job:

Bristle Types:

The type of bristles is an important consideration when choosing a paintbrush for your cake. Synthetic bristles, such as Taklon, are a popular choice as they are environmentally friendly and mimic the performance of natural bristle brushes. They work well with various types of paint, including watercolour, inks, acrylics, and oils. Synthetic brushes are also affordable and easy to clean.

Natural bristles, on the other hand, are made from animal hair and are typically more expensive. Sable brushes, for example, are made from soft animal hairs and are ideal for watercolour work due to their ability to hold paint and their smooth bristles. Goat hair brushes are another option, perfect for soft blending, varnishing, and creating streak-free glazes.

Brush Shapes:

Paintbrushes come in various shapes, and the right shape will depend on the specific details of your cake painting project. Angled brushes are ideal for precise work, such as painting trim or creating intricate details on your cake. Square-tipped brushes, on the other hand, are better suited for painting wide, flat surfaces.

Brush Size:

The size of the brush will depend on the scale of your cake and the level of detail you want to achieve. Smaller brushes provide more precise control and are perfect for intricate details or writing on your cake. Larger brushes, such as those 2-1/2 inches wide, are ideal for covering wider surfaces or creating broader brushstrokes.

Brush Comfort and Quality:

When choosing a paintbrush, it's essential to find one that feels comfortable in your hand and is made of sturdy materials. The handle should be made from solid wood or acrylic, providing a secure grip. Additionally, investing in a high-quality brush will pay off, as they hold more paint, provide smoother results, and last longer.

Experiment with different brushes to find the ones that suit your needs and preferences. With the right tools, you can create a beautifully painted wedding cake that will impress your guests and make your big day even more memorable.

How to paint on buttercream

Painting on buttercream is a fun and freeing cake decorating technique. It's a great way to add some creative flair to your cake and is quite simple to do. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to paint on buttercream:

Step 1: Prepare Your Cake

Start by baking your cake and letting it cool completely. It's important that your cake is chilled before you begin painting, as this will help the buttercream firm up and create a smooth surface for painting. Aim to chill your frosted cake for at least an hour in the fridge.

Step 2: Gather Your Tools and Materials

You will need a simple plastic artist's palette, food-grade paintbrushes, and some edible paint. You can buy edible art paints online or from cake supply stores. Alternatively, you can make your own paint by mixing gel food coloring with a high-proof, flavourless alcohol. This will thin the gel to a paintable consistency, and it will eventually evaporate from your cake.

Step 3: Choose Your Colour Palette

Decide on a colour palette that you love. You can use four different colours, including one bold mid-toned colour, a darker shade to contrast it, and two lighter pastel colours. Divide your buttercream into four bowls, reserving some white buttercream to lighten colours if needed. Use your food colour gels to create your desired shades.

Step 4: Create Bold Colour Swatches

Take your chilled cake out of the fridge and use a small icing spatula to apply your chosen colours. Start with the darker shades, creating bold swatches of colour. Then, use a bench scraper to scrape off the excess and create smooth colour swatches. Remember to clean your bench scraper after each colour to get a clean finish. Repeat this process until you're happy with the number of swatches on your cake, leaving enough blank space for the next step.

Step 5: Spatula Paint

Use your remaining lighter colours and a clean icing spatula to spatula paint on the cake. Apply the colours in strokes, overlapping your colour swatches, and going with the flow. There's no right or wrong way to do this part, so feel free to get creative and experiment. Just remember to clean your spatula when switching colours unless you want them to mix.

Step 6: Add Finishing Touches (Optional)

If you want to add some extra sparkle or shine to your cake, you can finish it with a splatter painting technique. Use edible art paint, luster dust mixed with alcohol, or an FDA-approved metallic cake finish. Dip a food-grade paintbrush into your chosen medium and splatter it onto the cake until you're happy with the coverage.

And that's it! You now have a beautifully painted buttercream cake. Remember to keep your cake chilled, especially if you're using perishable ingredients, and always use separate tools and equipment for food-related projects. Enjoy the creative process and don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with it.

Frequently asked questions