Creating A Ribbon Bow For Your Wedding Cake

Adding a ribbon bow to a wedding cake is a great way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall presentation. Not only does it enhance the visual appeal of the cake, but it can also be tailored to match the colour scheme and theme of the wedding. Creating a ribbon bow for a wedding cake is a simple process that can be achieved in a few easy steps. Firstly, it is important to prepare the cake by applying a crumb coat and fondant cover to ensure a smooth surface for the ribbon. The ribbon should be measured and cut to fit around the cake with a slight overlap. A thin coat of piping gel can then be applied to the base of the cake, providing a tacky surface for the ribbon to adhere to. The ribbon is carefully placed around the cake, ensuring a smooth finish. To create the bow, an additional piece of ribbon is cut to the desired length and shaped into loops, which are then secured with double-sided tape or floral wire. The final step involves attaching the bow to the front of the cake using double-sided tape or any other suitable adhesive. With a few simple tools and some creativity, anyone can make a beautiful ribbon bow to elevate their wedding cake.

Prepare your cake with a straight crumb coat and fondant cover

To prepare your cake with a straight crumb coat and fondant cover, start by making sure your cake is levelled and filled evenly. If your cake has multiple layers, you should level and torte it.

The type of cake you make is an important factor to keep in mind. Light texture cakes, like angel food or chiffon cakes, will have a hard time holding up to the weight of fondant. Cakes with heavy mix-ins, like carrot cake, may also create an uneven surface and can show through your fondant. For best results, use a standard white, vanilla, yellow or chocolate cake recipe or, for even more stability, a pound cake recipe.

Before you can cover your cake with fondant, you need to crumb coat your cake. This thin layer of frosting traps any cake crumbs and acts as an adhesive so your fondant doesn’t fall off or move around. Don't use too much buttercream when crumb coating, just enough so the sides and top are smooth with little to no spatula marks. It should be thin enough that you can see the cake (and crumbs) through it. Don't worry about visible crumbs, it's all part of the process! Smooth the icing as best as you can and let it dry until it crusts over, or feels dry to the touch. The crumb coat should be dry before you apply the final layer of icing.

Once the crumb coat is dry, you can add another layer of icing before adding your fondant. This will help the fondant stick to the cake. To prepare your fondant, you can use store-bought or homemade fondant. Before kneading, rub your hands with a little vegetable shortening to prevent sticking. Knead the fondant until it’s pliable. Add and work in food colouring at this point if you’re planning to tint your fondant.

Measure and cut the ribbon

To make a ribbon bow for a wedding cake, you'll need to carefully measure and cut your chosen ribbon. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Measure the circumference of your cake: Use a measuring tape to determine the distance around the cake. It's important to get an accurate measurement to ensure the ribbon fits snugly around the cake.
• Add some extra length: When you have the circumference measurement, add about 1/2 inch (or a bit more) to the total length. This extra length will allow for the ribbon to overlap neatly when you secure it around the cake.
• Cut the ribbon: Using sharp scissors, cut the ribbon to the length you've calculated. It's important to make a straight cut, as this will be visible on your finished cake.
• Prepare the ribbon for the bow: Before cutting the ribbon for the bow, decide how big you want the loops to be. Cut a piece of ribbon that is long enough to create loops of your desired size. You can always trim the ends later if needed.
• Cut the ribbon for the bow: Once you've determined the length needed for the desired loop size, cut the ribbon for the bow. You will now have two pieces of ribbon—one for wrapping around the cake and one for creating the bow.
• Optional: If you want to create a double bow, cut an additional piece of ribbon for the second bow. This piece should be slightly longer than the first piece you cut for the initial bow.

Now that you have your ribbons cut and ready, you can move on to assembling the bow and attaching it to your wedding cake!

Brush a thin coat of piping gel around the cake and add the ribbon

To attach a ribbon to a wedding cake, you must first prepare the cake by applying a crumb coat and fondant cover. Then, brush a thin coat of piping gel around the base of the cake. Piping gel is a clear sticky gel that can be used to pipe onto cakes or create effects such as raindrops or water.

Let the piping gel dry until it is slightly sticky. This will act as an adhesive for the ribbon and help prevent any grease stains from appearing on the ribbon. You can also use a non-toxic glue stick for this step.

Once the piping gel has reached the right consistency, carefully add the ribbon around the cake, ensuring that it is smooth. Brush a small amount of piping gel onto one end of the ribbon and overlap the ends, securing the ribbon in place. It is recommended to have the overlap at the back of the cake, but you can also hide it with the bow.

After the ribbon is secured, you can continue with creating the bow and adding any other decorations, such as fondant figures or crystals.

Cut and shape the ribbon into a bow

Cutting and shaping the ribbon is the first step to making a ribbon bow for a wedding cake. The ribbon should be cut to an appropriate length, depending on the desired size of the bow. For a nice-sized bow with 1-inch thick ribbon, cut the ribbon between 15 and 20 inches long. Adjust the length accordingly for different ribbon thicknesses.

Once the ribbon is cut to the desired length, it's time to create the bunny ears that will form the loops of the bow. Make the first bunny ear by folding the ribbon to create a loop, ensuring that the shiny side of the ribbon is still facing up. Twist the longer end of the ribbon twice to give it a rope-like texture. Then, create the second bunny ear by folding the ribbon again, adjusting the loops to the desired size for the final bow. Ensure that the tails of the bunny ears are fairly even.

Now it's time to shape the ribbon into a bow. Take the left loop and fold it over the right loop, bringing it around and back through the centre hole, similar to tying a shoelace. Pull the ribbon tight to create a secure knot. Gently tug on the loops and tails to adjust the bow until you are happy with its shape.

At this point, you can trim the ends of the ribbon if desired. You can also add your own creative touches, such as cutting the ends of the tails diagonally to create classy points or performing a chevron cut.

Secure the bow with double-sided tape

Now that you've cut your ribbon to the desired length and formed your bunny-eared loops, it's time to secure your bow with double-sided tape.

Take a small piece of double-sided tape and place it in the centre of your bow. This will help hold the loops in place and prevent them from shifting or coming undone. If you're using a thinner ribbon, be careful not to use too much tape, as it may cause the ribbon to become sticky or difficult to work with.

Once the tape is in place, carefully fold the ends of the ribbon in towards the centre, creating a neat and secure finish. You can trim the ends if needed to ensure they are even and don't extend beyond the loops.

If you're creating a double bow, you can use the same method to secure the second piece of ribbon. Simply cut it to the desired length, form your loops, and secure with double-sided tape before attaching it to the first bow.

Double-sided tape is a quick and easy way to secure your ribbon bow, ensuring it stays in place and maintains its shape. It's a handy alternative to using wire or string to tie off your bow, and can be more discreet, especially when working with thinner ribbons.

Frequently asked questions