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

Fondant flowers are a fun and creative way to decorate cakes and cupcakes. They are perfect for any celebration, from simple cupcakes to elegant wedding cakes. Fondant is an edible dough that dries hard, making it perfect for creating flowers that can be made in advance and customised in shape and colour. In this introduction, we will explore the tools and techniques needed to create beautiful fondant flowers for wedding cakes. From simple cut-out blossoms to advanced peonies, you can bring your cakes to life with these easy-to-follow steps.

Choosing the right fondant

Flavour

Most fondants have a sweet vanilla flavour, but you can also find them in other flavours to complement your cake. Opting for a flavoured fondant can add an extra layer of taste to your creation.

Colour

Fondant is available in various colours, and you can choose one that matches your wedding theme or create a contrast. If you want a specific shade, you can also colour the fondant yourself using gel icing colours or food colouring. Pre-coloured fondant is ideal for colours like red or black, which can be challenging to achieve with food colouring.

Texture

Fondant dries hard, making it perfect for creating flowers that can stand upright on your cake. However, different brands may have slightly different textures, so it's worth trying out a few to find the one that works best for you.

Type

There are two main types of fondant: ready-to-use and homemade. Ready-to-use fondant is convenient and ensures consistency, while homemade fondant allows you to customise the ingredients and create a unique flavour profile.

Quality

When choosing fondant, opt for a reputable brand that uses high-quality ingredients. This will ensure that your flowers taste as good as they look and that the fondant is easy to work with.

Storage

Fondant flowers can last for up to six months or more if stored properly. Choose a fondant that comes in airtight packaging and store it in a cool, dry place to extend its shelf life.

By considering these factors, you can select the perfect fondant for your wedding cake flowers, ensuring both taste and visual appeal.

Using food colouring

When making fondant flowers for wedding cakes, you can use food colouring to create a variety of vibrant and eye-catching hues. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use food colouring to make fondant flowers:

Choosing the Right Food Colouring

First, it is important to select the appropriate type of food colouring for your project. There are several types of food colouring available, including gel, liquid, powdered, and natural colouring options. Gel food colouring is highly concentrated and ideal for achieving deep, vibrant colours without altering the consistency of your fondant. Liquid food colouring is less concentrated and more suitable for lighter pastel shades. Powdered food colouring offers the highest concentration and is perfect for dry applications. Natural food colouring, made from plant extracts, provides softer colours but can still achieve vibrant results with the right techniques.

Mixing the Fondant and Food Colouring

Once you have selected your food colouring, it's time to mix it with your fondant. If using gel or liquid food colouring, add a small amount to your fondant and mix thoroughly until you achieve the desired colour. It is important to start with a small amount of colouring and add more as needed, as it is easier to darken the fondant than to lighten it. If using powdered food colouring, you may need to add a few drops of liquid to create a paint-like consistency before mixing it with your fondant.

Creating Different Effects

With food colouring, you can create various effects for your fondant flowers. For a simple approach, mix the colouring directly into your fondant to create a solid colour. For a more intricate design, you can hand-paint your flowers using a fine-tipped brush and food colouring mixed with a clear alcohol or extract such as vodka or lemon extract. This technique allows for personalized and intricate details. Another option is to create an ombre effect, where the colour gradually transitions from light to dark or from one colour to another. To achieve this, divide your fondant into several portions and gradually increase the amount of food colouring in each portion.

Additional Tips

• Use high-quality food colouring brands such as AmeriColor, Wilton, or Chefmaster for the most vibrant and reliable results.
• Always mix your colouring thoroughly to avoid streaks and uneven colouring.
• Consider the base colour of your fondant, as it can affect the final shade. For example, a white base typically yields the best results.
• If using natural food colouring, keep in mind that the colours may be softer, so you may need to use more colouring or adjust your techniques to achieve the desired vibrancy.
• If you want to create multiple colours, divide your fondant into separate portions before adding food colouring to each section.

By following these steps and tips, you can create beautifully coloured fondant flowers for your wedding cake that will impress your guests and add a unique touch to your special day.

Using the right tools

Fondant Rolling Pin: Invest in a good-quality fondant rolling pin, preferably one that comes with guide rings. The guide rings will ensure that you roll your fondant to the perfect thickness, which is crucial for creating delicate petals and leaves. Look for a rolling pin with different-sized guide rings, such as 1/8 inch and 1/16 inch, to give you more control over the thickness of your fondant.

Flower Cutter Sets: Flower cutter sets are essential for creating a variety of fondant flowers. You can find sets that include cutters for popular flower types such as daisies, orchids, roses, lilies, and more. These cutters will help you quickly and easily create uniform petals of the right size and shape.

Fondant and Gum Paste Tools Set: This set will be your go-to for adding texture and detail to your fondant flowers. It typically includes various modelling tools that help create veining and other intricate patterns on petals and leaves, giving them a lifelike appearance.

Easy Blooms Flower Cut-Outs: If you're a beginner, easy blooms flower cut-outs are a great option. These cut-outs allow you to create stunning roses and other dimensional flowers with ease. Simply cut, roll, and trim the fondant to form beautiful blooms that can be used as cake toppers or borders.

Fondant Shapes and Cut-Outs Kit: For those who want a comprehensive set of tools, a fondant shapes and cut-outs kit is ideal. It includes a fondant roller, various cutter shapes, and other essential tools needed for making fondant flowers. Having all the necessary tools in one kit is convenient and ensures you're well-equipped for any fondant flower project.

Ultimate Cake Decorating Kit: If you're passionate about cake decorating and want to explore various techniques, consider investing in an ultimate cake decorating kit. These kits typically include a wide range of tools, from basic to advanced, allowing you to create fondant flowers and many other decorations.

In addition to these tools, you will also need ready-to-use fondant in the colours of your choice, edible food colouring to create custom shades, and optional decorations such as edible glitter or pearl dust to add shine and elegance to your fondant flowers.

Drying the flowers

Drying fondant flowers is a crucial step in ensuring they are ready to be used on a cake. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Fondant flowers need to be dried at room temperature for at least 24 hours to ensure all the moisture is removed. This drying process can take up to two days, depending on the size and thickness of your flowers. It is important to be patient and not rush this step, as any remaining moisture can cause issues when storing your flowers or affect their longevity.

To prevent the petals from drooping during drying, you can hang the flowers upside down. This method ensures the petals dry in a curved shape and helps create a more natural, elegant look. Alternatively, you can place the flowers in a small bowl or cup to support them and ensure the petals dry upright. This method is particularly useful for flowers with multiple layers of petals or those that are more complex in structure.

If you are short on time, you can speed up the drying process by placing the flowers in front of a fan set at a low to medium speed. The gentle airflow will help evaporate the moisture more quickly without disturbing the delicate petals.

Once your flowers are completely dry, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature until you are ready to use them. Remember to keep them away from direct sunlight, as this can cause the colours to fade over time.

Attaching the flowers to the cake

Once you've made your fondant flowers, it's time to attach them to your cake! Here are some tips and instructions for attaching fondant flowers to a wedding cake:

For small and lightweight fondant flowers, you can use buttercream frosting as an adhesive. Simply apply a small amount of frosting to the back of each flower and gently press it onto the desired location on the cake. You can also use royal icing or edible glue, available from specialist baking suppliers, for a similar effect.

If your flowers are larger and heavier, you may need to use floral wire to secure them to the cake. Cut a length of floral wire and carefully insert it into the base of the flower. You can then insert the other end of the wire into the cake, anchoring the flower in place. This method is especially useful for tall or tiered wedding cakes, as it allows you to securely attach flowers at different heights.

Another option for attaching fondant flowers is to use a pre-made edible adhesive, such as Wilton's Dab-N-Hold Edible Adhesive. This product is designed specifically for attaching decorations to cakes and desserts and is easy to use. Simply apply a small amount to the back of each flower before placing it on the cake.

When attaching fondant flowers to a wedding cake, it's important to consider the overall design and composition. You can create beautiful arrangements by grouping flowers together or placing them in a cascading pattern down the side of the cake. For a more subtle effect, you might place a few flowers here and there, creating a sense of whimsy.

Remember to handle the flowers gently to avoid breakage, especially if they are very delicate or have thin petals. It's also a good idea to plan the placement of your flowers in advance to ensure a well-balanced and aesthetically pleasing design.

Frequently asked questions