Attaching Fondant Flowers: Wedding Cake Perfection

Fondant flowers are a fun and creative way to decorate cakes and cupcakes for weddings and other celebrations. They can be made in advance and customized with different shapes and colours. However, attaching fondant flowers to a cake can be challenging, especially for heavy flowers or those with wires. Here are some methods to securely attach fondant flowers to a wedding cake while also ensuring food safety.

Using toothpicks

Step 1: Prepare Your Flowers

Before you begin, ensure that your fondant flowers are the appropriate size for this method. Using toothpicks is ideal for small to medium-sized flowers that are not too heavy. If you are working with larger flowers, you may need to consider other methods or additional support, such as floral wire.

Step 2: Create a Plan

Before you start attaching the flowers, it's important to have a clear idea of your desired arrangement. Consider whether you want to create a cascade effect, add a small bunch at the top corner, or try something else entirely. Planning will help you place the flowers more efficiently and avoid making too many holes in your cake, which can affect its stability.

Step 3: Prepare the Toothpicks

If your fondant flowers do not already have toothpicks attached, you will need to carefully insert a toothpick into each flower. The toothpick should be secure and not easily removable to ensure that your flowers stay in place.

Step 4: Arrange the Flowers

Once your flowers are ready, start arranging them on the cake. You can place them directly into the cake, pushing them in gently but firmly. Be mindful of the spacing and arrangement to achieve your desired look. If you are working with multiple flowers, you may want to add them in small bunches to make the process more manageable.

Step 5: Adjust and Secure

After inserting each flower or bunch, take a step back and adjust as needed. You can gently move the flowers around to perfect your arrangement. If you feel that your flowers need additional support or if you want to ensure they are securely in place, you can add a small amount of melted candy melts or chocolate inside the hole where the toothpick is inserted. This creates an extra barrier and adds stability.

Step 6: Final Adjustments and Notes

Once all your flowers are in place, take a moment to ensure they are secure and adjust any that seem loose. Remember to leave a note or card listing any non-edible items used in the cake, such as the toothpicks, so that they can be removed before serving.

Using melted chocolate

Step 1: Prepare the Fondant Flowers

Before you begin the attachment process, ensure that your fondant flowers are completely dry. It could take up to 24 hours for them to dry completely at room temperature. You can speed up the process by placing them in front of a fan set at low to medium speed.

Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate

Melt the chocolate you plan to use. You can use white chocolate or even colour it to match your flowers or fondant.

Step 3: Attach the Flowers

Take your melted chocolate and apply a small amount to the back of each fondant flower. Carefully place the flower onto the desired spot on the cake and hold it in place for a few seconds to allow the chocolate to set.

Step 4: Secure the Flowers

For added stability, especially with heavier flowers, you can insert a straw into the cake where you want each flower to go. Cut the straws slightly longer than the flower stems. Apply some melted chocolate inside the straw and then insert the flower stem. This will create a stronger bond and help support the weight of the flowers.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Once all your flowers are attached, you can make any final adjustments to their positioning. Remember to leave a note or card listing any non-edible items used on the cake, such as wires or straws, so they can be removed before serving.

Using fondant glue

Fondant glue is a great way to attach fondant flowers to a wedding cake, especially if the flowers are not wired. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use fondant glue to attach fondant flowers to a wedding cake:

Step 1: Prepare the Fondant Flowers

Before you begin, ensure that your fondant flowers are completely dry. It is recommended to let them dry at room temperature for at least 24 hours or until they are no longer moist. You can speed up the drying process by placing them in front of a fan set at low to medium speed. Once the flowers are dry, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Make the Fondant Glue

Fondant glue is easy to make. Simply mix a small amount of fondant with water to create a thick paste. You can adjust the consistency by adding more fondant or water as needed. It should be thick enough to create a strong bond but thin enough to pipe or spread easily.

Step 3: Attach the Fondant Flowers

Now it's time to attach the flowers to the cake. Using a piping bag or a small spatula, apply a small amount of fondant glue to the back of each flower. If your flowers have wires, you can wrap the wires with floral tape before attaching them to the cake. This will help to secure the wires in place and ensure that they do not poke through the fondant. Carefully place the flowers on the desired locations on the cake and hold them in place for a few seconds until the fondant glue sets.

Step 4: Adjust and Secure

Once all the flowers are attached, you can adjust their positioning slightly if needed. Fondant glue typically sets within a few minutes, but it is best to give it some time to dry completely. You can use additional fondant glue to secure any loose petals or to fill in any gaps between the flowers and the cake.

Step 5: Final Touches

After the fondant glue has dried, you can add any final touches to your wedding cake. You can use fondant glue to attach other fondant decorations, such as leaves, vines, or additional flowers. If you want to add some shine to your flowers, you can use edible glitter spray or dust them with pearl dust.

Using royal icing

Royal icing is a great way to attach fondant flowers to a wedding cake, and it dries hard and opaque. You can either pipe a bead of royal icing onto the back of the flower or, if the flowers are smaller, pipe a circle of royal icing onto the cake and then attach the flowers. For larger flowers, pipe a royal icing spike onto the bottom of the flower and let it dry for at least 12 hours before attaching it to the cake with a little royal icing.

If you are attaching wired flowers, you can use a bubble tea straw to insert them into the cake. First, cut the wires so that they are not longer than the straw. Then, squeeze some royal icing into the bottom of the straw and place the wire inside so that it doesn't touch the cake. Once the royal icing is dry, pipe some more royal icing under the flower bunch at the top of the straw and push the straw into the cake at an angle. You may need to hold it in place or prop it with some foam until the royal icing dries.

Another option for attaching wired flowers is to use posy picks inserted into the cake, and then pipe in some royal icing before placing the flowers.

Using bubble tea straws

Bubble tea straws are a great way to attach fondant flowers to a wedding cake. They are a cheap, effective, and food-safe method. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use them:

Firstly, gather your supplies. You will need bubble tea straws, melted candy melts or chocolate, a piping or zip lock bag, and your fondant flowers. If your flowers are on wires, you will also need some floral tape.

If your flowers are wired, wrap the stems together with floral tape to create a bunch. Ensure the bunch is not too heavy as this could weigh down your cake. Cut the stems to an appropriate length, leaving enough to provide stability but not so much that they are taller than your cake.

Next, take a bubble tea straw and fit it over the flower stems. Cut the straw to the same length as the stems, leaving the wires just a little shorter than the straw. If you are attaching multiple bunches, insert a straw into your cake where you want each bunch to go. You can add a little melted candy or chocolate inside the straw for extra stability if you wish.

Now, take your flower stems and, holding them close to the base, push them into the straw inside the cake. You can use a pair of needle-nose pliers to do this, which makes the process easier and reduces the risk of breaking the flowers. Adjust the flowers as needed.

If you are attaching multiple bunches, repeat the process for each one, leaving enough space between them. Remember not to make too many holes in your cake, as this could affect its stability.

Finally, always leave a note listing any non-edible parts of the cake, such as wires and straws, so these can be removed before serving.

Frequently asked questions