Creating A Dreamy Lace Wedding Cake

A wedding cake adorned with lace is a beautiful addition to any wedding, especially traditional celebrations with formal dress codes, vintage soirées, or dreamy garden fêtes. There are multiple ways to create a lace design on a wedding cake. One way is to ask your cake baker to recreate the fabric through piping, or to press the pattern onto fondant. Another way is to make your own edible sugar lace and apply it to your cake. This can be done by purchasing a premade mix or by making sugar lace from scratch using a recipe that includes tylose powder and corn syrup.

Using icing to adorn your tiers

You can also recreate your wedding dress on the cake, drawing inspiration from your outfit. For instance, a lace-embellished dress can be reflected in a white cake decorated with lace detailing.

If you want to be bold, you can select an all-over lace design that makes a statement. Alternatively, keep it simple with just the edges of your cake trimmed with lace.

You can also add extra decorations to your lace cake. Colourful petals, sparkly accents, or unique cake toppers can be added to a lace-inspired design. While white is the traditional choice, you can also try different colours for an unexpected look.

Using edible sugar lace

Creating a wedding cake with edible sugar lace is a beautiful and intricate process that can be achieved through the following steps:

Ingredients and Materials:

Firstly, gather your ingredients and materials. For the sugar lace, you will need:

• Tylose powder
• Boiling water
• Corn syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Food colouring (optional)

In addition, you will need a few tools such as a small offset spatula, a silicone mat, and a lace mat with your desired design.

Making the Sugar Lace Paste:

Start by mixing the tylose powder with boiling water and letting it sit until it becomes translucent. Then, add the corn syrup, powdered sugar, and any desired food colouring. Mix until well combined.

Filling the Lace Mat:

The key to success when filling the lace mat is to use a thick paste. Add hot water a teaspoon at a time to your mixture until you achieve a thick yet spreadable consistency. It will take some elbow grease to stir this paste, but it is crucial for a strong and quick-drying lace.

Work in small sections, using a spatula to smooth and press the paste into the lace mat. Ensure you get it into every nook and cranny of the design. Once the mat is filled, use a bench scraper to remove any excess paste.

Drying the Sugar Lace:

You can choose to dry the sugar lace in the oven or by air-drying it overnight. If using the oven, set it to a low temperature (around 170°F) and bake for about 7 minutes. Keep an eye on it to avoid over-baking, as this will make the lace brittle. If the centre is still tacky after baking, let it air dry for a couple of hours.

Removing the Sugar Lace:

Once the lace is dry, carefully flip the mat over onto a silicone mat or parchment paper. Gently peel the edge of the lace away from the mat, pulling the mat away from the lace rather than the other way around. If any details get stuck, use a toothpick to gently loosen them.

Applying the Sugar Lace to the Cake:

Brush a thin layer of clear piping gel or edible adhesive onto your chilled cake. Carefully place the lace onto the gel, ensuring the bottom of the lace lines up with the bottom of the cake. Work in small sections, using your free hand to support the lace.

If you need to adjust the lace, be very gentle as it will be delicate once it comes into contact with the piping gel. Use the end of a paintbrush to press the lace onto the cake if needed.

Filling Gaps and Hiding Imperfections:

It is unlikely that your sugar lace will wrap perfectly around the cake. To fill any gaps, trim a second piece of lace to fit, ensuring the pattern matches. It is better to leave it a little long so you can always trim again once it's on the cake.

If the bottom of your lace doesn't line up perfectly, you can hide any gaps by adding a border of fondant pearls or other decorations.

And there you have it! A stunning, delicate lace wedding cake that is sure to wow your guests. With a bit of practice and patience, you can create beautiful sugar lace decorations that will take your cake to the next level.

Decorating with real flowers

Real flowers are a beautiful addition to a lace wedding cake. They can help tie your wedding decor together, matching the bridal bouquet, centrepieces, or ceremony arrangements.

When choosing flowers, opt for in-season blooms, which you can source from your local flower shop or farmer's market. It's also a good idea to use organic flowers that haven't been treated with pesticides. Popular choices include roses, ranunculus, dahlias, peonies, garden roses, calla lilies, and orchids.

To ensure safety, avoid toxic flowers such as poinsettias, lilies, foxglove, delphinium, and yellow jasmine. Also, be sure to wash your flowers to remove any pesticides and bugs.

When adding flowers to your cake, you can simply lay them on top for easy removal before serving. For more stability, wrap the stems of the flowers with floral tape, a special type of tape that sticks to itself and usually comes in green shades. Then, insert the stems directly into the cake, playing with heights and angles for added dimension.

If you want to add flowers to the sides of the cake, use bubble tea straws. These thick, plastic straws help secure the flowers at the desired angle. Trim the straws to a few inches and insert them into the cake. Then, slip the flower stems into the straw openings. Clear straws are best, so they remain invisible.

Another method to add flowers without wrapping the stems is to use a cake board. Place a cardboard cake round on top of the frosted cake and add flowers to it. This way, the flowers never come into contact with the cake, and you don't need to worry about using only edible blooms. When it's time to serve, simply slide an offset spatula under the cake round to remove it.

Remember, fresh flowers are best added to a cake on the same day as your event to prevent wilting. With these tips, you can create a stunning lace wedding cake adorned with real flowers!

Adding a pop of colour

One way is to incorporate colourful petals or unique cake toppers. You could also try embracing different colours for an unexpected look. For example, instead of a white cake, try a light blue base or a grey cake with beautiful piping.

If you want to add a more subtle pop of colour, consider using food gel to tint your sugar lace paste. You can add coloured gel to the paste once it has the desired consistency. This will give your lace a delicate hue that can complement or contrast with the colour of your cake.

Another idea is to use flowers or greenery as a decorative element. A cascade of purple and blue blooms can be wrapped around a multi-tier cake, adding a vibrant pop of colour. Silver dollar eucalyptus and other green leaves can also provide a beautiful botanical touch.

Finally, you can consider adding coloured borders or accents to your cake. For example, adding a border of fondant pearls can help to hide any imperfections and also add a touch of elegance. Gold embellishments or gilded accents can also add a glitzy look to your cake.

Matching your cake stand

Consider using an heirloom cake stand from your family, which can serve as your "something old" if you are following wedding traditions. This will not only add a personal touch to your special day but also create a unique and memorable display for your wedding cake.

If you don't have access to an antique cake stand, you can explore rental options or even DIY your own stand. Rental companies often offer a variety of vintage-style stands that can match the colour scheme and theme of your wedding. Alternatively, you can get creative and decorate a basic stand with lace fabric, ribbon, or flowers to tie it in with your lace wedding cake design.

When selecting a cake stand, it's important to consider the size and weight of your wedding cake. Ensure that the stand is sturdy enough to support the weight of the cake and that it is the appropriate size to showcase the cake beautifully. You may also want to choose a stand that is elevated to add height and create a striking visual display.

The right cake stand will enhance the overall presentation of your lace wedding cake, tying together the theme and colour scheme of your wedding while also providing a functional and stable base for your delicious creation.

Frequently asked questions