Elegant Cake Decorating: Placing Pearls On Your Wedding Cake

Pearls on a wedding cake can be a beautiful and elegant addition to any wedding celebration. They can be placed between layers of frosting or incorporated into cake toppers or floral arrangements. For those who want to add a subtle shimmer, edible pearl dust can be used to give the cake an enchanting allure. There are several ways to stick pearls onto a wedding cake, including using royal icing, edible glue, or a dragee applicator.

Using pre-made pearls

Choosing the Right Pearls:

Start by selecting the right type and size of pre-made pearls. You can choose from various options, including sugar pearls, non-pareils sprinkles, and edible pearls. Consider the overall design of your cake and select pearls that complement the colour scheme and theme. The size of the pearls can vary depending on your preference, ranging from tiny to large.

Preparing the Pearls:

Before you begin decorating, it's a good idea to have all your pearls ready. If you're using lustre dust to add a shimmery effect, brush the dry pearls with a soft brush and lustre dust before applying them to the cake. This will ensure they have an even coating. Place the dusted pearls in a container with a moisture-absorbing product to keep them dry until you're ready to use them.

Attaching the Pearls:

You can attach pre-made pearls to your wedding cake using various methods, including piping gel, royal icing, or edible glue. If you're using buttercream or fondant, piping gel is an excellent option. Simply apply a small amount of piping gel to the back of each pearl and stick them onto the cake. For a more secure hold, you can use royal icing or edible glue. Prepare a small batch of royal icing by mixing sugar paste with water until you achieve a piping consistency. Use a small parchment paper icing bag and fill it halfway with the royal icing. Cut a tiny hole at the end to pipe out small dots of icing onto the cake where you want the pearls to be placed. Gently press and hold each pearl in place for a few seconds to ensure they adhere well.

Design Ideas:

With pre-made pearls, you can create elegant designs on your wedding cake. Consider placing the pearls around the sides of each layer like a garland, or scatter them all over the cake for a luxurious look. If you're using different-sized pearls, you can create unique patterns or arrange them in clusters. For a subtle shimmer, you can also use edible pearl dust to enhance the overall enchanting allure of your cake.

Practice and Experiment:

Before you begin decorating the actual wedding cake, it's a good idea to practice your technique on a small cake dummy. This will help you perfect your pearl placement and design layout. Experiment with different pearl arrangements and sizes to find the look that best suits your cake.

Sticking pearls on with royal icing

Prepare the Royal Icing:

Firstly, you will need to make the royal icing. While you can buy instant royal icing from the supermarket, making it from scratch will give you a better result. To make royal icing, you will need egg whites, powdered sugar, and flavourings such as vanilla, butter, and almond emulsions. It is important to use cold egg whites as they will foam and whip up better, creating a fluffier and smoother icing. You can also add a tiny bit of food colouring if you want your icing to be a certain colour.

Prepare Your Tools:

Before you begin decorating, gather your tools and materials. You will need a small parchment paper icing bag, a steady hand, and, of course, your edible pearls. If you don't have an icing bag, you can make one by following a beginner's guide online.

Fill the Icing Bag:

Fill your parchment paper icing bag halfway with the royal icing. This will give you more control over the amount of icing you use and help prevent any mess or waste.

Cut a Tiny Hole in the Icing Bag:

Cut a very small hole at the tip of the icing bag. You want the hole to be just big enough to deliver a tiny dot of icing to the cake where you will place your pearl.

Pipe the Icing and Place the Pearls:

Gently squeeze the icing bag to pipe a small dot of icing onto the cake where you want to place a pearl. Quickly place the pearl on the dot of icing and hold it there for a few seconds to ensure it adheres properly. Repeat this process for each pearl, working in small sections at a time.

Smooth Out Any Imperfections:

If you make a mistake or the icing creates a mess, don't worry! You can gently remove any marks or excess icing with a damp paintbrush.

Allow Time for Drying:

Before stacking tiers or adding any additional decorations, allow the royal icing and pearls to dry completely. This will ensure that your pearls stay securely in place.

By following these steps, you will be able to create a beautiful and elegant pearl wedding cake. Remember to practice beforehand and work carefully to ensure the best results.

Using edible glue

To attach pearls to a wedding cake using edible glue, you can make your own edible glue or use a ready-made one.

Making Edible Glue

To make edible glue, you will need either tylose powder or gum paste and warm water. For the first recipe, simply combine 1/2 tsp. of tylose powder with warm water in a small container and stir until the powder is completely dissolved. The second recipe calls for a marble-sized ball of gum paste combined with warm water. Use a fork or small whisk to break up the gum paste, or let it dissolve on its own. Store your edible glue in the fridge, where it will last for up to three months.

When attaching the pearls to your cake, you can use a small brush to apply a dab of edible glue to the back of each pearl before placing it on the cake. This method is especially useful if you are attaching pearls to a fondant-covered cake. You can also use edible glue to attach dragees or edible pearls to a cake.

Ready-Made Edible Glue

If you don't want to make your own edible glue, you can use a ready-made option such as piping gel or sugar glue. When using piping gel, you can either brush it on or use a small tip to apply it to the cake. Sugar glue can be made by mixing tylose with water.

Tips

It is recommended to practice your technique on a small cake dummy before starting on your actual wedding cake. Additionally, if you make a mistake or the glue makes a mess, you can gently remove any marks with a damp paintbrush.

Creating a pearl necklace design

Planning and Preparation:

Before you begin, it is important to gather the necessary tools and materials. You will need edible pearls, which can be purchased or made at home. If making your own, roll out fondant evenly and use a large piping tip to cut out small circles. Roll these circles into perfect balls and let them dry. You can also add some lustre dust to give them a shimmer. Practice your technique on a small cake dummy before attempting the final cake.

Attaching the Pearls:

There are several methods to attach the pearls to the cake. One option is to use pre-made pearls and stick them on with piping gel, either on buttercream or fondant. Another method is to use royal icing or edible glue. Fill a small parchment paper icing bag halfway with royal icing and cut a tiny hole at the end. Apply a small dot of icing to the desired location on the cake and hold the pearl in place for a few seconds to ensure it adheres.

If you prefer not to use royal icing, you can create your own by softening a small amount of sugar paste in your hands and adding water. Mix them together with a palette knife until you achieve a runny, piping consistency. Scoop the mixture into the piping bag and proceed as before.

Design Ideas:

For a pearl necklace design, consider having the pearls trail down the layers of the cake, replicating the bride's own necklace. You can also incorporate the pearls into cake toppers or floral arrangements. For a subtle shimmer, use edible pearl dust to enhance the enchanting allure of your cake.

Troubleshooting:

If you make a mistake or need to clean up any mess, gently use a damp paintbrush to remove any marks or excess icing.

With careful planning, preparation, and a steady hand, you can create a stunning pearl necklace design on your wedding cake that is sure to impress and be a memorable part of your special day.

Using fondant icing pearls

Fondant icing pearls can be used to create a beautiful and elegant pearl wedding cake. There are several ways to attach fondant icing pearls to a wedding cake, and it is important to practice your technique before decorating the final cake. One option is to use royal icing to stick the pearls onto the cake. To do this, fill a small parchment paper icing bag halfway with royal icing and cut a tiny hole at the end. Place a dot of icing on the desired location on the cake, attach the pearl, and hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure it adheres. If you don't want to use royal icing, you can make your own runny icing by mixing sugar paste with water. Add water gradually until the desired consistency is achieved. This mixture can then be scooped into a piping bag and used in the same way as royal icing.

Another option for attaching fondant icing pearls is to use edible glue, such as gumpaste or meringue powder. You can also make your own edible glue by mixing tylose with water. A small brush can be used to apply the glue to the pearls before placing them on the cake. If you are concerned about the flavour of the glue, you can also try using a small amount of vodka applied with a brush. For a quicker application method, you can use a dragee or pearl applicator, which can be purchased from cake decorating suppliers. However, it may take some practice to get used to using this tool effectively.

Fondant icing pearls can be used in a variety of ways to decorate a wedding cake. For a subtle shimmer, edible pearl dust can be used to give the cake an enchanting allure. Pearls can be placed between layers of frosting, incorporated into cake toppers, or used to trim the edges of each layer like a garland. For a classic and memorable design, consider using traditional round white fondant icing pearls. These can be combined with fondant roses and lavender for an elegant and romantic look.

Frequently asked questions