Creating Realistic Gum Paste Flowers For Wedding Cakes

Gumpaste flowers are a popular choice for wedding cake decorations. They can be bought pre-made or made from scratch at home. Homemade gumpaste is easy to make and more economical than store-bought alternatives. It is also easy to work with, as it dries quickly and hardens. Gumpaste flowers can be attached to cakes using melted chocolate, candy melts, or royal icing. However, it is important to ensure that any non-edible components, such as wires, are not inserted directly into the cake. Instead, one can use straws or floral picks to create a barrier between the wires and the cake.

Making your own gum paste

Ingredients

• Unflavored gelatin (1-2 tablespoons)
• Powdered sugar (4 cups, or 720 grams)
• Tylose powder (3 tablespoons)
• Corn syrup (1/3 cup)
• Vegetable shortening (2 tablespoons)
• Salt
• Vanilla extract

Optional:

• Gel colour (if you want your gum paste to be any colour other than white)
• Egg whites (1/2 cup)

Method

Firstly, pour water into a small boiler and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Allow it to soften for about 5 minutes. Then, slowly heat the mixture, stirring until the gelatin is dissolved and you have a clear liquid. Be careful not to let it boil! Turn off the heat, and add the melted shortening and corn syrup. Stir until thoroughly combined.

Next, pour all but 2 cups of the powdered sugar into a large glass bowl and make a well in the centre. Pour the gelatin mixture into the well and mix until the sugar is all combined.

Now, dump the mixture out onto a lightly greased surface and sprinkle the tylose powder over the paste. With greased hands, knead the mixture, incorporating all of the reserved powdered sugar and tylose. Continue kneading until it forms a soft, smooth ball, adding more sugar if the dough is sticky.

Finally, wrap the finished paste tightly in plastic wrap and place into a zip-top bag. Allow to rest overnight before using. The gum paste can be stored at room temperature for up to a month, or in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Tips

• When ready to use, grease your hands and warm small amounts of the paste in the microwave for no more than 10 seconds at a time to soften and bring to room temperature.
• Always keep finished gum paste wrapped in several layers of plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
• If you are making sugar flowers, use a ball tool and foam mat to create delicate petals and leaves.
• Gum paste is ideal for any decorations that need to dry hard, stand, or be very thin, such as flowers, spikes, and figures.
• Fondant is a better choice for covering large surfaces or making flat decorations, as it doesn't dry as hard and tastes better.

Using pre-made gum paste

Choosing Pre-Made Gum Paste

When selecting pre-made gum paste, opt for a reputable brand or supplier, such as Satin Ice or Global Sugar Art, to ensure a quality product. You can typically find pre-made gum paste at specialty baking stores or online. It is often sold in various colours, such as white, vanilla, or assorted colours, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your wedding cake design.

Storing Pre-Made Gum Paste

Proper storage is crucial to maintain the freshness and workability of pre-made gum paste. It is recommended to store it in an airtight container, ensuring it is well wrapped, preferably in plastic wrap or a plastic bag. Gum paste has a long shelf life when stored properly. It can be kept at room temperature for about a month or in the fridge for up to three months.

Working with Pre-Made Gum Paste

Before using pre-made gum paste, bring it to room temperature if it has been stored in the refrigerator. Take only the amount of gum paste you need and keep the rest covered to prevent drying out. When working with the gum paste, use vegetable shortening to knead and make it pliable, reducing the likelihood of cracks. However, avoid using too much shortening, as it can make the gum paste rubbery and difficult to roll thinly.

Creating Flowers with Pre-Made Gum Paste

Pre-made gum paste is versatile and can be used to create a variety of flowers, such as roses, hydrangeas, orchids, and more. You can follow online tutorials or step-by-step guides to learn the specific techniques for shaping and forming different types of flowers. Remember that gum paste dries quickly, so work with small portions at a time and keep the unused portion covered.

Adding Details to Pre-Made Gum Paste Flowers

Once you have created the basic flower shapes, you can enhance their appearance by adding details such as petal and luster dust or using airbrush spray techniques. These details will give your flowers a unique and handmade touch. You can also attach them to wires to create beautiful bouquets or trailing designs on the wedding cake.

Caring for Pre-Made Gum Paste Flowers

Gum paste flowers can be delicate, so it is essential to handle them with care. Store them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture, to ensure they last for years. Since many flowers contain floral wire, floral tape, or artificial stamens, they are typically for decorative purposes only and not meant to be eaten.

Attaching flowers to a buttercream cake

Attaching gum paste flowers to a buttercream cake is a delicate task, but it can be done with care and precision. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:

Prepare the Flowers:

Before you begin, make sure your gum paste flowers are completely dry and hardened. This will ensure that they are sturdy enough to be handled and attached to the cake. Prepare a small batch of buttercream to use as "glue" for the flowers. You can tint it with food colouring if you want it to match the colour of your flowers or cake.

Attaching the Flowers:

Using a small offset spatula or a butter knife, gently spread a thin layer of buttercream onto the back of each flower. This will act as an adhesive. Carefully place the flowers onto the cake, using a gentle touch to avoid crushing the petals. You can also use a toothpick to help guide the flowers into place without leaving fingerprints on the petals.

Supporting Larger Flowers:

If you are working with larger flowers, you may need to use a different method for support. One option is to create a "spike" on the back of each flower using royal icing. Allow the royal icing to dry completely before attaching the flowers to the cake with a dab of buttercream. Alternatively, you can create flowers on the end of a small dowel or coffee stir stick, which can then be inserted into the side of the cake for a cascading effect.

Chilling and Transporting:

Once all the flowers are in place, it is a good idea to chill the cake to help the buttercream "glue" set. This will also help the buttercream frosting on the cake firm up, reducing the risk of damaging the flowers when transporting or handling the cake.

Final Touches:

After the cake has been chilled and transported to its final location, you can add some final touches to the flowers. Using a small paintbrush, gently dust the flowers with edible glitter or pearl dust to give them a magical sparkle. You can also pipe small dots or details onto the flowers using royal icing or melted chocolate.

Attaching gum paste flowers to a buttercream cake requires patience and a gentle touch. Take your time, and don't be afraid to experiment with different methods to find what works best for you. With these techniques, you'll be well on your way to creating a stunning and elegant floral cake!

Attaching flowers to a fondant cake

Attaching gum paste flowers to a fondant cake requires careful planning and execution to ensure the flowers are secure and the cake remains food-safe. Here is a detailed guide on how to attach gum paste flowers to a fondant cake:

Planning the Flower Arrangement:

Before you begin, it's important to plan the arrangement of your gum paste flowers on the cake. Decide if you want a cascade effect or a small bunch at the top corner. Keep in mind that the arrangement should not be too heavy, as it might rip the cake or make the stem too big to fit into the straws.

Preparing the Gumpaste Flowers:

Gather your gum paste flowers and wrap their stems with floral tape. If you are using leaves, tape several leaves together first and then attach them to the flowers using floral tape. Ensure the stems are not longer than the actual cake. You can cut them with wire cutters if needed.

Inserting the Straws:

Bubble tea straws or regular straws can be used to insert the gum paste flowers into the cake. Fit the straw over the flower bunch, ensuring they are of similar length, and cut the straw a little longer than the wire stem. Mark the spots on the fondant or buttercream where you want the flowers to go. Insert the straws one at a time, as you may need to adjust the distance between them.

Attaching the Gumpaste Flowers:

Before inserting the flowers, bend the flower stems as desired. Using needle-nose pliers to hold the stems can make this process easier and reduce the risk of breaking the flowers. Optionally, you can add a small amount of melted candy melts or chocolate inside the straws to create a barrier between the cake and the wires. Grab the stem of the flower arrangement with the pliers and push it into the cake as far as possible.

Adjusting and Finalizing:

Once the first bunch of flowers is inserted, adjust its position. Repeat the process for any additional flower bunches. Remember to leave some space between the bunches to avoid making too many holes in the cake, which could affect its stability. Always leave a note or card listing the non-edible parts of the cake, such as wires and straws, so they can be removed before serving.

Arranging flowers on the cake

For medium or larger gum paste flowers made with wires, you will need to create bunches of flowers and leaves by wrapping the stems with floral tape. Cut the stems to the right length, ensuring they are not too long or too short. You can use bubble tea straws or regular straws to insert the flowers into the cake. Play around with the placement of the flowers, lightly marking the fondant or buttercream to indicate where the straws should go. Insert the straws one at a time, adding melted candy melts or chocolate inside each straw to create a barrier between the wires and cake. Using needle-nose pliers, hold the stem of the flower arrangement close to the base and push it into the straw as far as it will go. You can adjust the flowers once they are inserted.

If you are adding multiple floral bunches, insert another straw for the next bunch and add melted candy melts before inserting the flowers. Be careful not to make the arrangement too heavy, as this can cause the cake to rip or the stem to become too big for the straw. Avoid making too many holes in the cake, which can affect its stability. Instead, add several flowers together in bunches.

Finally, always leave a note or card listing the non-edible parts of the cake, such as wires and straws, so that people know to remove them before serving.

Frequently asked questions