Creating Exquisite Wedding Cake Lace Decorations

Lace wedding cakes are a beautiful addition to any wedding, especially traditional celebrations with formal dress codes, vintage soirées, or dreamy garden fêtes. There are several ways to create a lace design on a wedding cake, including piping or pressing the pattern onto fondant. For those who want to try making lace for a wedding cake at home, there are a variety of recipes available, including vegan options. Sugar lace paste can be made using a combination of tylose powder, corn syrup, and hot water, which is then spread onto a silicone lace mat and dried in the oven or left overnight. Once dry, the lace can be carefully peeled off the mat and applied to a cake using piping gel or edible adhesive.

How to make sugar lace paste

Sugar lace is an intricate part of cake decorating and can be applied to any cake, from simple buttercream to naked ganache or a decorated fondant cake. Here is a simple recipe for sugar lace paste:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 tablespoon tylose powder
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla (or clear flavor of choice)
• Additional food gel (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 170°F and prepare a clean, dry lace mat.
• In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of boiling water with the tylose powder and stir until well combined. Let the mixture sit until it becomes translucent, which should take around 5-7 minutes.
• Add the powdered sugar and cornstarch to the mixture and mix until well combined.
• Add the corn syrup, vanilla, and white food coloring. If necessary, add more white coloring to achieve the desired shade.
• Gradually add hot water, one teaspoon at a time, and combine well after each addition. You are aiming for a thick but spreadable paste-like consistency. If you want to add any colored food gel, do so once the desired consistency is close.
• Using a small angled spatula, press and spread small dollops of the paste into the lace mat, ensuring that you fill every nook and cranny.
• Once the mat is completely filled, use a bench scraper to remove any excess paste.
• Transfer the lace mat to a baking sheet and bake until the edges are dry, which should take around 7-10 minutes. Keep an eye on it, as you don't want to over-bake and risk the lace becoming brittle.
• If the center of the lace is still tacky after baking, allow it to air-dry until it is no longer sticky.
• To remove the lace from the mat, flip the mat over onto a silicone mat or parchment paper. Gently peel the edge of the lace and pull the mat away from it. If any details get stuck, use a toothpick to gently loosen them.
• Store any unused lace in parchment paper placed inside an airtight container.

Filling in the lace mat

Preparing the Paste:

Before filling the lace mat, you'll need to prepare a thick paste. In a bowl, mix together boiling water and tylose powder. Keep stirring until the mixture becomes translucent and all the powder has dissolved. This process should take around 5 to 15 minutes. Then, add cornstarch and icing sugar to achieve a thick paste consistency. At this point, you can also add corn syrup and any desired colouring, including white food colouring for a traditional lace look.

Working with the Lace Mat:

Now it's time to fill in the lace mat. Take a small amount of the paste and work in small sections of the mat. Smooth the paste back and forth, pressing down with a spatula to ensure it gets into every nook and cranny of the design. Work the spatula in multiple directions to fill in all the details. It's important to use a thick paste for this step, as it will dry quicker and result in a stronger lace design.

Scraping Off the Excess:

Once the entire mat is filled in, use a bench scraper or similar tool to scrape off the excess paste. Be careful not to scrape too much, as you could accidentally pull the lace out of the mat. After scraping, you might notice some gaps. Simply fill these in and scrape off the excess again.

Drying the Lace:

After the mat is completely filled and excess paste is removed, it's time to let it dry. You can choose to air dry the lace overnight or place it in the oven at a low temperature (around 170°F) for about 7 minutes. Keep an eye on it, as you don't want to overbake it and risk the lace becoming brittle. The centre of the mat might still feel tacky, so it's important to let it air dry for a couple of hours after baking.

Removing the Lace from the Mat:

Once the lace is dry, carefully flip the mat over onto a silicone mat or parchment paper. Begin peeling the edge of the lace away from the mat, pulling the mat away from the lace rather than the other way around. If any of the finer details get stuck, use a toothpick to gently loosen them.

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful lace designs for your wedding cake!

Drying and removing the lace

After removing the lace from the oven, let it air dry for a couple of hours to ensure it is completely dry. If the centre is still tacky, it needs more time to dry. If you are air-drying the lace, keep a close eye on it as it can dry out quickly and become brittle.

Once the lace is dry, it's time to remove it from the mould. Flip the mat over onto a silicone mat or a large piece of parchment paper. Start by peeling the edge of the lace out of the mat gently, pulling the mat away from the lace rather than the other way around. If any of the finer details get stuck, use a toothpick or a spatula to gently loosen the lace.

Storing the lace:

If you are not using the lace immediately, you can store it in an airtight container. Place the lace in parchment paper and then put it in a Ziploc bag or airtight container. The lace will last for several months if stored properly. However, if the lace becomes too hard, you can use a slightly damp paper towel to make it more elastic.

Applying the lace to the cake

Firstly, brush a thin layer of clear piping gel or edible adhesive onto your chilled cake. Work in small sections to ensure precision. Carefully place the lace onto the gel, making sure the bottom edge of the lace lines up with the bottom of the cake. Use your free hand to support the lace as you work.

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. If you need to press the lace onto the cake, use the end of a paintbrush.

It is likely that your lace will not completely wrap around the cake. To fill in any gaps, trim a second piece of lace to fit. Measure the gap and then look at the pattern of the lace. Trim the lace so that the pattern matches seamlessly. It's better to leave it a little long because you can always trim it again once it's on the cake.

If there are any gaps at the bottom of the lace, you can add a border of fondant pearls to hide them. This is a simple way to ensure a neat finish.

With these steps, you'll be able to create a stunning lace design on your wedding cake. It just takes a bit of patience and practice to master the technique.

Hiding gaps with fondant pearls

Step 1: Prepare Your Fondant Pearls

Fondant pearls can be easily crafted by hand or purchased from specialty baking stores and websites. If you choose to make them yourself, roll out your fondant to an even thickness, ensuring the colour matches your desired aesthetic. Use round frosting tips to cut out circles in the fondant, creating the individual "pearls". Grease your palms with a bit of shortening, and gently roll each circle into a smooth pearl shape. Allow these fondant pearls to dry for a few hours until they are slightly firm to the touch.

Step 2: Create a Seamless Border

Once your fondant pearls are ready, it's time to address any gaps or seams on your cake. Using a piping bag fitted with a rose tip (typically number 104), fill in the gaps between tiers with royal icing. Work quickly and use your finger to smooth out any excess, creating a clean finish. This technique will give the illusion of a single, seamless cake.

Step 3: Embellish with Fondant Pearls

Now, take your fondant pearls and carefully arrange them along the borders of your cake tiers. You can use a gluing agent, such as water or royal icing, to attach the pearls securely. This step will not only hide any minor imperfections but also add a sophisticated touch to your cake design.

Step 4: Final Touches

With your fondant pearls in place, step back and admire your handiwork! If desired, you can further enhance the elegance of your cake by dusting the pearls with luster dust or painting them with a mixture of vodka and luster dust for a shiny, metallic finish. This step is entirely optional but can elevate the overall presentation of your wedding cake.

Creating a wedding cake adorned with fondant pearls is a detailed process, but the end result is a stunning confection that will wow your guests. Remember to work carefully, allowing sufficient drying time for your fondant creations, and don't be afraid to add your personal touch to this classic design.

Frequently asked questions