wednesday workshop - easy sugar flowers

Now for something completely different!

As promised when I learn a new skill I like to pass it on.

Especially one so simple yet so stunning.

I am lucky enough to have a friend who is learning

all things cakey.

She lent me her tools of the trade,

thanks Rachel.

These really did help me,

though I imagine you could find the equivalent

if you rummage about the house.

I used Squires sugar florist paste, 

which is suitable for making flowers

as it dries rock hard.

Available at your local cake shop,

as is the gold dust.

Warm up some sugar paste in your hands,

keeping the rest in the sealed bag,

dust your surface with cornflour,

roll out thinly

(I think I made mine a bit thick)

cut out your flower.

Here is where a pallet knife comes in handy to scoop them up.

Then use a round ended tool

to gently press out the petals one at a time.

You will find if you drag into the centre this will form a flower shape.

To help keep their form, or to mould them more

I used an egg box to hold them in until they were dry,

which took about a day, 

though they begin to harden straight away.

Here is the bigger flower,

which is like a dog rose.

Before the flowers were dry I added the centre pieces

which I stuck on with water.

Using the gold dust mixed with vodka/alcohol

I used a paintbrush to apply it to the edges and the centres.

I did have an issue with the gold tarnishing,

so I had to re-paint on the day.

There are lots of gorgeous colours to choose from,

just imagine pink or red...

 

The cakes were ordered from M&S

and the colour match was really good.

I used royal icing from a packet

to glue the flowers on,

just make it nice and thick so you don't get any sliders

As you know I was copying a 50 year old design

hence the bells.

Which I also made using a bell mould, 

and the 50 was made using my Nigella cookie cutters

With help from Rachel and you tube,

I found making this a dream,

I could spend all day making sugar flowers

its so relaxing!!

And believe me it really is that simple.

I did this myself because I had

a bad experience in a cake shop,

where the assistant said it would cost me £300!!!

Well I don't think we would have been happy

especially with her uninterested attitude.

I'm glad..I think I made a good job!

The cost of this two tiered cake plus two extra cutting cakes was approx £80.

(incl decorations)

I can highly recommend M&S cakes to

very yummy...

ps. anyone want any flowers made let me know!!