Creating A Dreamy Lace Effect Wedding Cake

Lace wedding cakes are a popular choice for couples, adding a romantic and sophisticated feel to their reception. There are several ways to achieve the lace effect on a wedding cake. One simple method is to use applique lace, where individual lace pieces are cast from a silicone mould and attached to the iced cake. This technique creates a heavier and more defined lace look that stands out in photographs. Another approach is to recreate the lace fabric through piping or pressing the pattern onto fondant. For a vegan option, sugar lace can be made using a recipe that includes tylose powder and corn syrup. The sugar lace paste is spread onto a lace mat and dried in the oven or air-dried overnight before being carefully peeled off and applied to the cake using piping gel or edible adhesive.

Using an edible sugar lace mix

Ingredients and Tools:

First, gather your ingredients and tools. For the sugar lace, you will need:

• Boiling water
• Tylose powder
• Cornstarch/cornflour
• Light corn syrup/liquid glucose
• Clear vanilla or other clear flavour of your choice
• Food gel colouring (optional)

Additionally, you will need the following tools:

• A small offset spatula
• A silicone mat (optional)
• A lace mat with your desired design
• A bench scraper
• Parchment paper or a silicone mat
• A baking sheet

Preparing the Sugar Lace Mix:

• Preheat your oven to 170°F (76°C) and have your lace mat ready.
• In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of tylose powder with ¼ cup of boiling water. Stir with a fork until well combined.
• Let the mixture sit for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes translucent.
• Add 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Mix until well combined.
• Add ½ teaspoon of light corn syrup and mix again.
• Add clear vanilla extract and white food colouring (if desired). Mix until well combined.
• Adjust the consistency by adding hot water, 1 teaspoon at a time. You are aiming for a thick, spreadable paste.

Filling the Lace Mat:

• Use a small angled spatula to spread small dollops of the sugar lace mix onto the lace mat.
• Work in small sections, smoothing the paste back and forth while pressing it into all the details of the mat.
• Use the bench scraper to scrape off any excess paste. Fill in any gaps and scrape off the excess again.
• Transfer the filled lace mat to a baking sheet.

Drying the Sugar Lace:

• Bake the lace in the oven at 170°F for 7-10 minutes, or until the edges are dry.
• If the centre is still tacky, air dry it until it is no longer sticky.

Removing the Sugar Lace from the Mat:

• Flip the lace mat over onto a silicone mat or parchment paper.
• Gently peel the edge of the sugar lace away from the mat. Pull the mat away from the lace, being careful not to tear the finer details.
• If needed, use a toothpick to gently loosen any stuck areas.

Storing the Sugar Lace:

Store any unused sugar lace in parchment paper placed in an airtight container.

Applying the Sugar Lace to the Cake:

• Brush a thin layer of clear piping gel or edible adhesive onto your chilled cake.
• Carefully place the sugar lace onto the gel, aligning the bottom of the lace with the bottom of the cake.
• Work in small sections, using your free hand to support the lace.
• If needed, apply more gel behind the lace. Once the sugar lace touches the piping gel, it will become delicate and difficult to adjust.
• If you need to press the lace onto the cake, use the end of a paintbrush.
• Trim the sugar lace as needed to fit around the cake and match the pattern.
• To hide any gaps at the bottom of the lace, consider adding a border of fondant pearls.

Pressing a lace embosser into fondant

Step 1: Prepare the Fondant

Begin by covering your cake tier with fondant. It is important to work quickly as you will need the fondant to still be soft when you impress the lace pattern. Use a rolling pin to smooth out any bumps and ensure the fondant covers the cake evenly.

Step 2: Choose Your Lace Embosser

There are various lace embossers available in the market, such as impression mats, texture sheets, and pattern presses. Choose a design that complements the overall style of your wedding cake. For example, a scalloped lace embosser can add a sophisticated finish, while a floral lace pattern can create a romantic and elegant look.

Step 3: Impress the Lace Pattern

Once you have selected your lace embosser, gently press it into the fondant, starting from the top of the cake and working your way down. Apply even pressure to ensure the pattern transfers clearly. If you are using an impression mat, you may need to smooth the fondant onto the mat first, and then apply it to the cake.

Step 4: Enhance the Design (Optional)

To further enhance the lace effect, consider adding embellishments such as sugar flowers, pearls, or gilded accents. For a vintage-inspired cake, try embossing the lace pattern with lustre. You can also mix and match different lace patterns on each tier for a unique and eclectic look.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Finally, if there are any imperfections or gaps in the fondant, use fondant pearls or other decorations to hide them. Remember to handle the cake carefully, as fondant can be delicate.

By following these steps, you will create a stunning lace effect on your wedding cake that will impress your guests and add a touch of elegance to your celebration.

Using applique lace

To create applique lace, you will need a lace mat or mould, which you can find at most cake supply stores. You will also need a small offset spatula and a bench scraper.

First, prepare your sugar lace paste. There are multiple recipes available online, some of which include meringue powder, while others are vegan. The sugar lace gets its firmness and elasticity from tylose powder and corn syrup. You can also buy pre-made paste or dry sugar lace mix if you don't want to make your own.

Once you have your paste, use a small offset spatula to spread a dollop of it onto your lace mat, working in small sections. Smooth the paste back and forth while pressing down with the spatula to get it into every nook and cranny of the mat. Use your bench scraper to scrape off any excess. You might need to fill in any gaps and scrape off the excess again, being careful not to scrape more than necessary.

Let the lace dry either in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes or air dry overnight. Once it's dry, flip the mat over onto a silicone mat or parchment paper and gently peel the edge of the lace out of the mat. If any of the finer details get stuck, use a toothpick to loosen them.

To apply the sugar lace to your cake, brush a thin layer of clear piping gel or edible adhesive onto your chilled cake. Carefully place the lace onto the gel, making sure that the bottom lines up with the bottom of the cake. Work in small sections, supporting the lace with your free hand. If you find any areas that need more gel, carefully apply it behind the lace. Once the sugar lace comes into contact with the piping gel, it will become delicate and difficult to adjust.

You may need to trim a second piece of lace to fill any gaps, measuring the gap and trimming the sugar lace so that the pattern matches. You can also add a border of fondant pearls to hide any gaps or imperfections at the bottom of the lace.

With applique lace, you can create a variety of elegant and romantic looks for your wedding cake, from vintage-inspired designs to contemporary styles.

Embellishing with pearls

Pearls are a huge trend in the wedding world, and they can be a beautiful addition to a lace wedding cake. Here are some ideas and tips for embellishing your cake with pearls:

Types of Pearls

There are various types of pearls to choose from when decorating your wedding cake. You can find edible pearlized white sugar pearls in different sizes, from tiny sprinkles to larger fondant pearls. You can also opt for non-edible pearl decorations, such as pearl-studded cake toppers or cake jewellery. These can be made from materials like acrylic or Swarovski crystals.

Placement of Pearls

When deciding where to place the pearls on your cake, consider the overall design and how you want the pearls to enhance the lace effect. You can use pearls to trim the edges of each tier, creating a neat and elegant border. Alternatively, scatter pearls across the cake for a more whimsical look. If you're using a lace mat to create a lace pattern, you can fill in any gaps or imperfections with a string of fondant pearls.

Colour and Size

Pearls are typically associated with vintage-style weddings and are often paired with a white or light-coloured cake. However, you can also experiment with coloured pearls to match your wedding theme. For instance, light pink pearls on a matching pink cake can be a subtle and romantic choice. Consider mixing different sizes of pearls to add texture and depth to your cake design.

Combining with Other Elements

You can combine pearls with other decorative elements to create a luxurious and elegant cake design. For instance, pair them with lace ruffles, sparkly accents, or floral arrangements. If you want to incorporate greenery, consider using silver dollar eucalyptus leaves or other botanical elements to complement the intricate lace pattern.

Matching Your Wedding Theme

If you're wearing a pearl-studded dress or accessories, matching your cake to your outfit can be a stylish choice. You can also use pearls to tie your cake design to other aspects of your wedding, such as the invitations, table settings, or venue decor. This creates a cohesive and well-thought-out look for your special day.

Embellishing a lace wedding cake with pearls adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. Whether you choose edible or decorative pearls, strategic placement and attention to detail will ensure your cake shines on your big day.

Using lace piping

Lace piping is one of the most challenging techniques for wedding cake decorators to master, but it is an excellent way to create a beautiful lace effect. Here are some tips and techniques for using lace piping to make a stunning lace wedding cake.

Cornelli Piping/Filigree Piping

This technique involves using a piping bag with medium-consistency royal icing and a No. 1 or No. 2 icing tip. Pipe a continuous "squiggly" line, ensuring the lines do not cross over. This technique can be used to cover the entire cake or just patches to create a floral lace effect.

Piped Pearls/Dots

If you're not confident with a piping bag, piped pearls or dots can be used to create a lace pattern. Simply add texture with tiny sugar blossoms.

Embossing

Embossing is a shortcut to beautiful lace piping. Use a floral cutter to emboss your icing before piping over the pattern, which is much simpler than freehand piping.

Brush Embroidery

After piping your lace pattern, you can use a damp paintbrush to create a feathered look using the brush embroidery technique. This technique involves dragging the still-wet inner piped line of royal icing towards another piped line or the centre of your design to create a lacy effect.

Freehand Piping

Once you're confident with brush embroidery, you can try freehand piping. This technique allows you to create a simple or intricate lace pattern by piping directly onto the cake.

Lace Borders

After piping your lace pattern, you can enhance it by adding a border. A simple option is to pipe a lace band centred around the middle of the cake, which works well for three or four-tier cakes.

Piped Vines

Piped vines create a pretty lace effect and can be used to cover the entire cake or just sections.

Lambeth-Style Piping

For an intricate and delicate lace effect, consider using Lambeth-style piping. This technique involves creating elaborate scrollwork and lace patterns with royal icing. It is one of the most skilled and admired techniques in cake decorating.

Remember, practice is key to mastering lace piping. With patience and persistence, you'll be able to create a stunning lace wedding cake.

Frequently asked questions