Adorning Wedding Cakes With Gum Paste Flowers

Gumpaste flowers are a popular choice for wedding cakes, but arranging them can be a daunting task. Gumpaste, also known as florist paste, is a soft and pliable sugar dough that dries completely hard, making it ideal for creating intricate and detailed cake decorations like flowers. Unlike fondant, which is used for covering cakes, gumpaste can be rolled out into thin layers without tearing, making it perfect for delicate flower petals. Gumpaste flowers can be made in advance and stored for several months before the wedding cake is due, but they dry out quickly and need to be handled with care. When it comes to arranging gumpaste flowers on a wedding cake, it's important to plan the design beforehand and group the flowers into small arrangements or micro-arrangements. It's also crucial to use food-safe methods for attaching the flowers to the cake, such as toothpicks, melted candy melts, or royal icing, instead of inserting wires directly into the cake. Gumpaste flowers add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any wedding cake, but it's important to handle them with care and confidence to avoid breakage during the decorating process.

How to make gum paste

Gumpaste is a dense, sweet paste that can be moulded into various shapes to decorate cakes. It is made using egg whites, powdered sugar, and shortening, and it hardens as it dries. Here is a simple recipe to make gum paste at home:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup egg whites (4 to 5 large eggs)
• 6 2/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (plus more for kneading)
• 3 tablespoons tylose powder (also called CMC)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1/2 teaspoon food colouring (optional)

Instructions:

• Put the egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix for 10 seconds at high speed.
• Add powdered sugar, mixing on low until ingredients are incorporated. Increase speed to high and mix for approximately 10 minutes until the mixture forms soft, glossy peaks. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle, then mix for an additional minute.
• With the mixer running on low, slowly sprinkle in tylose powder until fully incorporated. Increase speed to medium and mix for 1 to 2 minutes, until the gum paste has formed a ball around the paddle attachment.
• Place the gum paste on a clean surface dusted with powdered sugar. Knead vegetable shortening into the mixture, then continue to knead until the paste has a soft, pliable consistency. If you want to colour your gum paste, knead in food colouring. If the paste sticks to your hands, mix in another tablespoon of powdered sugar.
• Wrap the gum paste in plastic wrap, then transfer to a sealable plastic bag and chill in the refrigerator for 24 hours. When you're ready to use it, let it come to room temperature.

Notes:

• Humidity affects your ingredients. If you're making this recipe on a particularly damp day, knead a little more powdered sugar into the gum paste. On the other hand, if humidity levels are very low, don't add all the powdered sugar at once.
• It may take longer than 10 minutes for the egg whites and sugar to form soft, glossy peaks. Be patient with the mixture—insufficient mixing will result in a stiff gum paste.
• If you're having trouble kneading the gum paste, separate the mixture into 2 smaller balls. Keep one covered in plastic wrap as you knead the other.
• Gum paste dries out very quickly, so wrap the mixture in plastic wrap if you need to take a break or leave the kitchen.
• Since this recipe makes a large amount of gum paste, you may have to freeze some. Cover the leftovers in 2 layers of plastic wrap, then transfer to a sealable plastic bag. Gum paste will keep in the freezer for six months.

Now that you have your gum paste ready, you can move on to making beautiful gum paste flowers to adorn your wedding cake!

How to attach flowers to buttercream

To attach gum paste flowers to a wedding cake, you must first consider the size of the flowers and the type of cake. Small flowers can be attached to buttercream cakes with a dot of buttercream, or candy melts or royal icing if the cake is fondant. Medium-sized flowers can sometimes be attached with melted candy melts, but this method works better on fondant than buttercream.

If you are using medium or large gum paste flowers with wires, you will need to get some bubble tea straws or regular straws, depending on the size of your flower stems. You will also need melted candy melts or chocolate and floral tape.

First, arrange the flowers into bunches. Tape the leaves together first, pulling the floral tape to activate its stickiness, and then attach the flowers. Cut the stems to size, ensuring they are not longer than the height of the cake. You can then insert the straws into the cake where you want the flowers to go. It is recommended to add a little melted candy melt or chocolate inside the straw for added stability. Finally, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to grip the flower stem and push it into the straw inside the cake.

Another option for attaching gum paste flowers to a cake is to use toothpicks. This method is ideal for small flowers and cascade floral designs. Simply attach the flowers to the toothpicks with a small amount of buttercream, royal icing, or melted candy melts, and then insert them into the cake.

• Always use a thick buttercream to create a cone-shaped base for the flowers to sit on. This gives them height and makes them look more realistic.
• Sift your sugar to avoid clogging your piping tip.
• Store your flowers in the fridge to make them easier to handle when applying them to the cake.
• Add food colouring a little at a time with a toothpick for maximum control.

How to attach flowers to fondant

To attach gum paste flowers to a fondant cake, you need to first decide on the size and arrangement of your flowers. If you are using small flowers, you can attach them with a bit of buttercream, candy melts, or royal icing. For medium-sized flowers, you can use melted candy melts, but this method works better on fondant than on buttercream. If your gum paste flowers have toothpicks instead of wires, you can insert them directly into the cake, especially if you are creating a cascade floral design.

For larger flowers, you will need to use wires for support. First, arrange the flowers into small bunches, wrapping the stems together with floral tape. Cut the stems to the desired length, ensuring they are not too long or too heavy for the cake. You can use bubble tea straws or regular straws to insert the flowers into the cake. Insert the straws into the cake, add a small amount of melted candy melts or chocolate, and then insert the flower stems. You can use pliers to handle the flowers without breaking them.

Other methods for attaching heavy gum paste flowers include using royal icing, florist tape, and Oasis minifix, or covering the wires with florist tape and inserting them into posy picks before putting them into the cake.

How to transport gum paste flowers

Gumpaste flowers are relatively fragile, so it's important to package them carefully to avoid breakage during transport. Here are some tips to help you transport your gum paste flowers safely:

• Let the flowers dry completely before transport: Gumpaste flowers need to dry for at least 24 hours before they are ready for transport. Place them on a baking sheet or paper towel in a dry room, but avoid the fridge as it is a damp environment.
• Use tissue paper and bubble wrap: Wrap each flower individually in tissue paper and then bubble wrap. This will protect the flowers from banging into each other and breaking during transport.
• Use foam sponge for extra protection: Cut up pieces of foam sponge and wedge them between petals and leaves for added protection. You can also wrap the flowers in bubble wrap and then place them on a large piece of foam sponge, using dress pins to secure them in place.
• Try the "egg carton method": If you have small flowers, you can place them in the pockets of an egg carton, lining each pocket with tissue paper first.
• Use quilt batting: Individually wrap each flower in quilt batting and then pack them in boxes. This method is especially useful for fragile flowers that are too delicate to be wrapped.
• Pack them in a sturdy box: Place the wrapped flowers in a sturdy box, layering them with wads of cheap toilet paper or loose, unrolled toilet paper to cushion them and keep them separated. Put heavier and larger pieces on the bottom.
• Transport the flowers separately from the cake: If possible, assemble the flowers on the cake at the venue to avoid damage during transport.

How to store gum paste

Gumpaste can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It is important to wrap the gumpaste well before placing it in the container to prevent it from drying out. Some people suggest wrapping it in plastic wrap, and then placing it in a freezer bag to ensure no moisture can get in. Others suggest using a little vegetable shortening on your hands when handling the gumpaste before wrapping, as this can help to keep it from drying out.

Gumpaste dries out very quickly, so it is important to act fast when wrapping and storing it. If you are not going to use it for a few months, it is best to freeze it. Again, be sure to wrap it well and expel all the air from the bag before freezing.

When you are ready to use the gumpaste, take it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw completely. You can then knead it with a little vegetable shortening to make it pliable again.

It is worth noting that gumpaste flowers can be made well in advance of when they are needed. The more time they have to dry, the less likely they are to sag once placed on a cake.

Frequently asked questions