Mastering Fondant Flowers For Wedding Cakes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fondant flowers are a fun and creative way to decorate cakes and cupcakes. Fondant is a type of edible frosting that is thicker than usual icing, making it perfect for sculpting gorgeous cake decorations. It is pliable, with a texture and consistency similar to play dough, which makes it easy to work with and shape. To make fondant flowers, you can shape roses or carnations by hand, or use a mold to create the petals. Here are some tips on how to handle fondant when making flowers for wedding cakes:

- Use ready-to-use fondant: Start with ready-to-use white fondant, which can be found in various colours if you don't want to colour the fondant yourself.

- Add colour: If you want to add colour to your fondant, use edible food colouring to create your desired shades.

- Use the right tools: Invest in a fondant rolling pin, flower cutter set, and other fondant tools to help you create beautiful blooms.

- Pay attention to consistency: When making your own fondant, watch for the right consistency. It is ready when it has a matte appearance and a thick, play dough-like consistency.

- Let it dry: Fondant flowers should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before using them. Place them in a dry, room-temperature spot to harden.

- Store properly: Fondant flowers can last for up to 6 months if stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.

Choosing the right fondant

Flavour and Colour:

Fondant typically has a sweet, vanilla flavour, but it can also be found in other flavours or unflavoured. If you want a specific flavour or colour, consider buying ready-to-use fondant in your desired variety. This will save you time and effort in colouring or flavouring the fondant yourself.

Ease of Use:

When selecting fondant, consider your skill level and the complexity of your flower designs. Some fondants are easier to work with than others, so choose one that suits your abilities. For example, if you're a beginner, you might opt for a fondant that is known for being easy to roll and cut.

Storage and Shelf Life:

Fondant flowers can be made in advance and stored for future use. When choosing a fondant, consider how long you'll need it to last and select one with a suitable shelf life. Fondant flowers can last for up to 6 months or more if stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container.

Tools and Accessories:

To work with fondant effectively, you'll need the right tools. When choosing a fondant, consider the tools and accessories that are required or included with the product. For flower-making, you'll typically need a fondant rolling pin, flower cutters or moulds, and perhaps a fondant and gum paste tools set for adding texture and details to your petals and leaves.

Adhesion and Compatibility:

Consider the adhesion properties of the fondant and how you plan to attach the flowers to your cake. Small and lightweight fondant flowers can be attached using buttercream frosting, while larger flowers may require floral wire. Ensure that the fondant you choose is compatible with your desired attachment method.

Drying and Finishing:

Fondant dries hard, which is ideal for creating flowers that need to stand upright. When choosing a fondant, consider the drying time and whether you want to add any shine or colour effects to your flowers. You can use food-safe brushes to apply edible decorations like glitter spray, colour dust, or pearl dust to dried flowers.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right fondant for your wedding cake flower creations, ensuring both delicious results and ease of use during the creative process.

Preparing your work surface

Firstly, it is recommended to use stainless steel as your work surface, as fondant works best on this material. However, if stainless steel is not available, a hard, flat surface will suffice. To ensure a clean work area, use a fondant mat, a self-healing mat, or a basic Silpat mat. To remove any lint or dust, simply rub your workspace with a tiny fondant ball, which can be discarded afterward.

Before rolling out the fondant, it is crucial to dust your work surface and fondant roller with confectioners' sugar or cornstarch. This step will prevent the fondant from sticking to your work area and will help create a smooth, even finish.

When it comes to rolling out the fondant, aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inches. This thickness is ideal for covering cakes and will give you the desired non-stick surface.

Additionally, it is important to keep your hands and all surfaces lightly covered with shortening. This will prevent the fondant from sticking and ensure a smooth process. Avoid using flour or powdered sugar, as they can make the fondant too stiff. Make sure to use pure white shortening to avoid any discolouration.

If you are creating flowers for a large wedding cake, consider investing in an adjustable long rolling pin. This tool will enable you to roll out the fondant into a large enough circle to cover the entire cake.

By following these instructions, you will effectively prepare your work surface for handling fondant flowers for wedding cakes.

Rolling out the fondant

When rolling out fondant, it's important to have a clean, hard, flat surface to work on. Fondant can be sticky, so using a fondant mat, a self-healing mat, or a Silpat mat on your work surface can be helpful. You'll also want to dust your work surface and fondant roller with confectioners' sugar or cornstarch to prevent the fondant from sticking. If you're making flowers, you'll want your fondant to be quite thin—around 1/8 of an inch thick.

When it comes to the rolling pin itself, most long rolling pins have thickness rings to help you get a smooth, even finish. An adjustable long rolling pin can be especially useful for projects like wedding cakes, as it will allow you to roll the fondant into a large enough circle to cover a large cake.

If you're having trouble with your fondant sticking to your work surface or rolling pin, try using a small amount of shortening on your hands and all surfaces. However, be sure to use pure white shortening, as butter-flavoured shortening or cooking spray can turn your fondant off-white or yellowish.

Cutting out the flowers

Before you begin cutting out the flowers, it's important to prepare your fondant. Start by kneading the fondant to make it warm and pliable. The fondant should be soft but not too sticky. If needed, you can add a small amount of shortening to your hands and work surface to prevent sticking without drying out the fondant. Once you have the desired consistency, you can begin rolling out the fondant.

When rolling out the fondant, aim for a thickness of 3-4mm. You can use spacers on your rolling pin to help achieve an even thickness. Dust your work surface and rolling pin with a small amount of cornstarch or confectioners' sugar to prevent sticking. If your fondant is very sticky, you may need to use a bit more cornstarch, but try to avoid using too much, as it can dry out the fondant.

Now it's time to cut out the flowers. You can use a fondant flower cutter set, which typically includes various flower shapes and sizes. Choose the cutter that best suits the type of flower you want to create. Gently press the cutter into the rolled-out fondant to create the flower shape. Carefully lift the cutter away, revealing the cut-out flower. If needed, you can use a small brush to remove any excess cornstarch or sugar from the flower.

If you don't have a fondant cutter set, you can create your own templates. Draw or print out the desired flower shape and size on paper. Cut out the template and place it on the rolled-out fondant. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, carefully cut around the template to create your flower shape. This method allows you to customize the size and shape of your flowers.

Once you have cut out your flowers, you can start shaping and adding details to them. You can use a veining tool or a fondant modelling tool to create textures and lift the petals for a more realistic look. Additionally, you can add colour to your flowers using gel food colouring or pre-coloured fondant.

Remember to work quickly when handling fondant, as it can dry out and become difficult to work with. If your fondant does start to dry out, you can knead it again and add a small amount of shortening to restore its pliability.

Sticking the flowers to the cake

Sticking fondant flowers to a wedding cake can be done in several ways, depending on the weight of the flowers and the type of frosting on the cake. Here are some methods to attach fondant flowers to a cake:

Using Buttercream Frosting

If your fondant flowers are small and lightweight, you can attach them to your cake using a bit of buttercream frosting. Simply apply a small amount of buttercream to the back of each flower and press it gently onto the cake. This method is quick and easy, but it may not be suitable for larger or heavier flowers.

Floral Wire or Posy Picks

For larger and heavier flowers, you can use floral wire or posy picks to secure them to the cake. Cut the floral wire to the desired length, ensuring that only the wire and not the stem of the flower touches the cake. You can use royal icing or melted chocolate to secure the wire to the flower. Alternatively, you can use posy picks, which are small plastic tubes that you insert the flower stems into. Pipe some royal icing into the posy pick before placing the flower inside to secure it in place.

Melted Chocolate or Candy Melts

Melted chocolate or candy melts can be used as a strong adhesive for heavier flowers. Melt the chocolate or candy melts, and use it to glue your flowers in place. Hold or prop up the flowers until the chocolate sets. This method is not suitable if you need the adhesive to match the colour of the flowers or cake.

Sugar Glue or Fondant Glue

Sugar glue, also known as fondant glue, is made by melting marshmallow fondant with a small amount of water. It is easy to make and works well for attaching fondant flowers to a cake. Simply brush a small amount of sugar glue onto the back of each flower and attach it to the cake.

Water or Vodka

Water can be used as a simple and convenient adhesive for fondant flowers. However, it should be used sparingly as it can dissolve the sugar in the fondant and cause dripping. Vodka can be used as an alternative to water, as it dries faster and is less likely to leave marks. However, it should not be used if the cake is for someone who abstains from alcohol.

When attaching fondant flowers to a wedding cake, it is important to consider the weight of the flowers and the type of frosting used. It is also crucial to ensure that any flowers used are edible and free from chemicals or toxins.

Frequently asked questions