Creating Dreamy Wedding Cake Drapes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fondant drapes are a popular choice for wedding cakes, adding a touch of elegance and fashion to the dessert. Creating fondant drapes may seem intimidating, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be a fun and rewarding experience. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making fondant drapes for your wedding cake, from preparing your workspace to assembling the drapes on the cake. We will also offer tips and tricks to ensure your fondant is easy to work with and looks stunning on your special day.

Using fondant and gum paste

Fondant drapes are a popular choice for wedding cakes, adding elegance and making a statement. Here is a detailed guide on how to create fondant drapes using fondant and gum paste:

Firstly, prepare your work surface by ensuring it is clean and dusted with a mix of cornstarch and powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar. This will prevent the fondant from sticking to the surface. Fondant works best when rolled out on stainless steel, but a hard, flat surface with a fondant mat or a basic Silpat mat will also do.

For the drapes, you will need a mixture of fondant and gum paste. A common ratio is 50/50, combining equal parts gum paste and fondant. This creates a mixture that is not too soft or too stiff, allowing you to shape it easily. You can also try a ratio of 1/3 gum paste to 2/3 fondant for a slightly stiffer consistency.

Roll out the fondant and gum paste mixture into a thin rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. This thickness will give your drapes a fabric-like effect. If you want to add some shine, you can brush the fondant with luster dust to achieve a velvet-like appearance.

Now, it's time to create the pleats. Place some dowel sticks or straws under the fondant, alternating between placing them on top and underneath to create 'waves'. Gently press them into the fondant, and then slowly remove the dowels. Use your fingers to run along the created waves, forming pleats that will become the drapes. Allow the pleats to set for about 3 minutes – not too long, or they will crack.

Once the pleats have set, carefully remove the dowels and gather the pleats to create the desired length for your drapes. You can place them as one long piece or cut them into shorter sections, depending on your preference and the design of your cake.

Finally, attach the drapes to your cake. Brush the sides of your well-chilled cake with edible glue and gently press the drapes into place. You can also use plastic silk flowers with long stems to secure the drapes and ensure they stay in place during transport.

And there you have it – gorgeous fondant drapes for your wedding cake! Feel free to add further decorations, such as flowers or pearls, to enhance the elegance of your cake.

Rolling out the paste

Firstly, prepare your work surface by ensuring it is clean and dusted with confectioners' sugar or cornstarch. This will prevent the fondant from sticking to the counter. Fondant works best when rolled out on stainless steel, but any hard, flat surface will suffice with the help of a fondant mat or a self-healing mat.

Now, it's time to roll out the paste. Mix 50% gum paste and 50% fondant to get the right consistency—not too soft and not too stiff. Roll it out into a thin rectangle, aiming for a thickness of about 1/8 inches. This thin roll will give your drapes that elegant fabric effect. Remember to cut off any excess paste to maintain a neat rectangle.

At this stage, you can add some lustre. Brush the fondant with lustre dust until it achieves a velvet-like appearance. This step will enhance the luxurious look of your drapes.

Once you're happy with the rolled-out paste, it's time to create the pleats. Place some dowel sticks under the paste, using your fingers to gently run along the dowels and form the pleats. Allow the pleats to set for a few minutes—be careful not to let them set for too long, or they may crack.

Finally, carefully remove the dowels and gather the pleats together to form the drapes. You can place them as one long piece or cut them to the desired lengths. Your fondant drapes are now ready to be placed on the cake!

Using dowel sticks for folds

Preparing the Fondant:

Start by preparing a mixture of 50% gum paste and 50% fondant. This combination will give you the right consistency—not too soft and not too stiff. Roll this mixture out into a thin rectangle, cutting off any excess. The thinness will help you achieve that fabric-like effect for your drapes. To enhance the elegance of your drapes, brush the fondant with luster dust to give it a luxurious velvet look.

Creating the Folds:

Now it's time to create those beautiful folds. Place some dowel sticks under the fondant, using your fingers to gently run along the dowels and form the fondant into pleats. It's important to work quickly, as you only need to let the pleats set for about 3 minutes. If you leave them for too long, they may crack. Once the pleats hold their shape, carefully remove the dowel sticks.

Applying the Drapes to the Cake:

Gather up the pleats and you're ready to place them on your wedding cake. You can choose to use them as one long piece or cut them into shorter lengths, depending on your desired look. For a dramatic effect, consider doubling up the drapes to create a full, elegant bunch. Place them lengthwise on your cake, making sure to cover any seams well.

Embellishing the Drapes:

To take your wedding cake to the next level, add some embellishments to your fondant drapes. In the example provided, the baker dressed the seams of the drapes with two-tone gumpaste roses, starting with golden yellow centers that fade out to almost white. This added a touch of color and a unique, glowing detail to the cake. You can get creative with your own choice of embellishments to match your wedding theme or color palette.

Attaching drapes to the cake

You can place the drapes lengthways on the cake, or cut them to the required length. If you want a more voluminous look, you can double up the drapes, ensuring you cover the seams well. You can also use fondant in a 50/50 mix with gum paste to give the drapes more structure.

To create the folds in the drapes, you can use dowel sticks. Place the dowels under the fondant and use your fingers to run along the dowels, forming the paste into pleats. Leave the dowels in place for about 3 minutes to set the pleats, then carefully remove them and gather the pleats to place on the cake.

Creating a satin look with luster dust

Firstly, it is important to choose the right type of luster dust. There are many varieties available, but for a satin look, opt for a soft, subtle shade like pink satin. Make sure the luster dust is edible and FDA-approved, especially if you intend for it to be consumed. You can find edible luster dust online or at specialty baking stores.

Once you have your luster dust, you can begin creating the satin effect. Start by rolling out your fondant or gum paste to a thin rectangle. This will give you that fabric effect that drapes have. You can use a 50/50 mixture of gum paste and fondant to get the right consistency.

Next, it's time to apply the luster dust. Use a dry dusting brush to lightly brush the luster dust over the fondant or gum paste. You can also mix the luster dust with a small amount of vodka or lemon extract to create a paste, which you can then apply with a paintbrush. This method allows for more precision and can help you achieve a more intense colour. However, be sure to use an alcohol-based extract like lemon extract to preserve the colour and avoid using water, as it will cause the dust to become sticky and lose its shimmer.

After applying the luster dust, you can start forming the drapes. Place some dowel sticks under the fondant or gum paste to create folds, and use your fingers to run along the dowels and form pleats. Let the pleats set for a few minutes, but be careful not to let them crack.

Finally, remove the dowels and gather up the pleats to place on the cake. You can cut the drapes to the desired length or leave them as one long piece. Place them on the cake, either lengthwise or bunched up for a more dramatic effect.

With these steps, you can create elegant satin drapes for your wedding cake, adding a touch of luxury to your special day.

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