Creating A Rose Petal Wedding Cake

A rose petal wedding cake is a beautiful and unique addition to any wedding. This cake is not only visually appealing, but it also has a delicate and intriguing flavour that will leave your guests impressed. The key to making this cake is using rose water and fresh or dried rose petals, which can be purchased or made at home by infusing water with organic rose petals. The intensity of the rose flavour can be adjusted by using lighter or darker petals, and adding rose extract will enhance the fragrance.

When decorating, you can use buttercream, fresh flowers, dried rose petals, or even fondant shaped into petals to create a uniform look. The process is time-consuming but well worth the effort, resulting in a romantic and elegant cake that will be a memorable part of your special day.

Choosing and preparing rose petals

When choosing rose petals for your wedding cake, it is recommended to use organic rose petals to ensure they are free of pesticides. You can use fresh or dried rose petals, but keep in mind that the colour of the petals may change during baking. For example, bright colours may become dull, and dried rose petals may not look the same as fresh ones. If you decide to use dried rose petals, you can dry them yourself or purchase them from a trusted vendor.

Before using fresh rose petals, it is important to wash them thoroughly. One way to do this is by placing the petals in a salad spinner, or you can rinse them by hand. If you want to sugar-coat the petals, brush them with a whisked egg white, sprinkle them with granulated sugar, and let them sit until the egg is dry.

When preparing the rose petals for decoration, cut out some circles with a cutter. For a uniform look, cover the cake with fondant in the same colour as the petals. Place the "petal" on a piece of foam and thin out the edges with a ball tool. Transfer the petal to a thicker foam and use the ball tool to thin the inside to create a cup shape.

To attach the petals to the cake, brush a small section of the cake with water, gum glue, or piping gel. Start adding the petals from the bottom up so that gravity helps anchor them. Place the petals on the cake, ensuring that the edges are curled out and not stuck to the surface. Use your fingers to create movement within each petal. Position the petals next to each other and use a Dresden tool to help shape them. You can also pinch the middle of each petal and fold it slightly before adding it to the cake.

Making the cake batter

To make the batter for a rose petal wedding cake, you will need the following ingredients:

• Flour (cake flour or all-purpose flour)
• Sugar (granulated or powdered)
• Butter (unsalted)
• Eggs (whole or egg whites)
• Milk (whole or buttermilk)
• Rose water
• Vanilla extract
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Vegetable oil
• Almond extract
• Ground almonds
• Red food colouring

You may also choose to add dried rose petals to the batter, but this is optional.

To make the batter, start by preheating your oven to 350°F and preparing your cake pans with non-stick cooking spray, flour, or cake release.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, egg whites, and extracts until blended. Set aside.

In a stand mixer, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt on medium-low speed until combined. Slowly add in the butter and continue mixing until the mixture resembles moist crumbs.

Slowly add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and beat at medium speed for about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

If desired, add in a couple of drops of red food colouring and mix by hand with a rubber spatula until the batter is evenly coloured.

Finally, divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Making the filling

Prepare the Ingredients:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a rose-flavoured filling, you will need roses or rose petals. It is recommended to use organic roses with no pesticides to ensure food safety. You can choose deep red or pink roses for a stronger flavour or opt for lighter shades for a milder taste. Additionally, you will need other basic baking ingredients like sugar, butter, milk or water, and flavour enhancers like vanilla extract or rose water.

Create the Rose Buttercream:

To make the rose buttercream filling, start by beating butter at medium-high speed until smooth. Gradually add in powdered sugar, rose water or rose extract, vanilla extract, and finely chopped rose petals. You can also include milk to adjust the consistency. Beat the mixture at medium-low speed for 30 seconds and then increase the speed to medium-high for about a minute or until it reaches a smooth and creamy texture.

Prepare the Raspberry Filling:

If you want to add a fruity twist to your rose petal cake, you can make a raspberry filling. Combine cold water and cornstarch in a bowl. In a saucepan, boil raspberries with sugar, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture starts bubbling, add the cornstarch mixture and cook for another minute. Then, add lemon zest and lemon juice to enhance the flavour. You can strain the seeds from the filling if desired. Allow the mixture to cool down to room temperature before using it.

Experiment with Flavours:

Feel free to experiment with different flavours that complement the rose theme. You can try pairing rose with raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, or even pistachio. If you prefer a simpler approach, a plain vanilla buttercream filling can also work well. Remember to taste your creations as you go along to ensure the flavours are balanced and suit your preference.

Adjust Consistency:

The consistency of your filling is crucial. It should be thick enough to hold between cake layers without oozing out. If your filling becomes too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar to thicken it. Conversely, if it becomes too thick, add a small amount of milk or water to thin it out.

Making the buttercream

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the buttercream, you will need unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, rose petals, and milk or water. The amount of each ingredient will depend on the size of your cake and your personal preference. However, a good starting point is 1.5 cups (3 sticks) of unsalted butter, 2 pounds of powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, the petals from one rose (finely chopped), and 1/4 cup of milk or water. You can adjust the quantities as needed.

Next, prepare your equipment. You will need a stand mixer with a bowl, or you can use a hand mixer and a large bowl. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature before beginning.

Now, it's time to start making the buttercream! Place the softened butter into the bowl of your stand mixer. If you're using a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment and beat the butter on medium-high speed until it is smooth and creamy. This should take around 30 seconds to a minute.

Once the butter is smooth, it's time to add the remaining ingredients. With the mixer on a lower speed, slowly add the powdered sugar, rose petals, vanilla extract, and milk or water. Be careful not to inhale the powdered sugar as you add it! Mix these ingredients on medium-low speed for about 30 seconds, ensuring they are well incorporated.

After everything is combined, increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat the mixture for another minute or so, until it is smooth and fluffy. At this stage, you can adjust the consistency of your buttercream. If it's too thick, add a little more milk, a teaspoon at a time. If it's too thin, add a little more powdered sugar, a quarter of a cup at a time, and beat until smooth.

Taste your buttercream to ensure it suits your preference. You can add a little more vanilla extract or rose petals if you want a stronger flavour.

Once you're happy with the taste and consistency, your rose petal buttercream is ready to use! You can spread it onto your cake layers, creating a smooth and creamy base for the rest of your decorations. Remember to leave some buttercream for any additional piping or decorations you may wish to add.

Buttercream is a versatile frosting that can be flavoured and coloured to suit your wedding cake vision. It provides a stable base for fresh flowers or fondant decorations, ensuring your rose petal wedding cake not only looks stunning but also tastes delicious.

Assembling and decorating the cake

Once you've baked your rose-petal cake, it's time to assemble and decorate it! Here is a step-by-step guide:

Assembling the Cake:

• Optional: Use a serrated knife to trim the edges of your cake layers. This step is not necessary, but it will create sharp and clean edges for your cake.
• Place the first layer of cake on a cake board. If you're making a multi-layer cake, add a thin layer of filling or buttercream on top of the first layer.
• Repeat the process for each additional layer, stacking them on top of each other.
• Spread a thin layer of buttercream around the entire cake to create a crumb coat. This will help to seal in any crumbs and create a smooth surface for the final layer of frosting.
• Chill the cake in the fridge for about 20 minutes or until the buttercream is firm to the touch.

Decorating the Cake:

• Once the cake is chilled, remove it from the fridge and cover it with a second layer of buttercream or frosting. Use an offset spatula to spread it evenly.
• If desired, add more raspberry filling or food colouring to create a deeper colour.
• Scrape off any excess frosting and smooth it out using a bench scraper or offset spatula.
• Now it's time to decorate with rose petals! You can use fresh, dried, or sugared rose petals. Press them firmly onto the buttercream, starting from the bottom and working your way up. This will help the petals stay in place due to gravity.
• Continue adding petals until you're happy with the design. You can also add other decorations like fresh flowers, buttercream flowers, or buttercream rosettes.
• Your rose petal wedding cake is now ready to serve! It's best served immediately, but it can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Enjoy your beautiful and delicious rose petal wedding cake!

Frequently asked questions