Last Updated on January 17, 2023
Decorating a cake with fresh flowers is a beautiful way to enhance the decorations on your cake. However, not sure which fresh flowers are safe for cake decorating.
It is not as easy as piling them on top of any frosting. Likewise, not all flowers are safe to utilize on a cake. For instance, baby’s breath and hydrangeas are famous in bouquets, but they are, in fact, toxic. If these flowers get in contact with the cake frosting, do not eat the cake because it could be harmful. Because of this, it is best to choose edible flowers instead.
Decorating A Cake With Fresh Flowers
When using flowers to decorate a cake, you want to ensure that they are non-toxic to people. Some beautiful flowers that are safe to use include sunflowers, roses, hibiscus, violets, calendulas, and nasturtiums. Likewise, if you are looking for safe herbs, you can also use thyme, chamomile, and rosemary.
1. Sunflowers
Sunflowers make excellent flowers to decorate a cake with. They are large and their bright yellow color is perfect for a spring or summer wedding cake. Since they are edible, they make a safe and elegant addition to your cake.
2. Roses
Roses add a touch of romance to your cake. There are many different colors of roses you can choose from including white, red, and pink, each that will add a touch of beauty to your cake. Real roses on a cake make a great dessert for Valentine’s Day or a wedding.
3. Hibiscus
Hibiscus are large, colorful tropical flowers that look stunning as a cake decoration. These edible flowers come in a variety of colors including blue, pink, purple, white, multicolor, red, and yellow.
4. Violets
Violets are small flowers that come in a variety of colors but are most commonly blue or purple. They are small and make for elegant decorations when you want just a simple touch. Candied violets make a popular and edible cake decoration that adds a beautiful touch.
5. Calendulas
The bright colors of calendulas make them a wonderful choice for decorating a cake with fresh flowers. They can be yellow, orange, red, white, or pink, giving you plenty of beautiful colors to choose from.
6. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums add a lovely pop of color to your cake without being overwhelming. These small edible flowers come in a variety of colors including red, orange, pink, yellow, or white.
On the other hand, you should avoid all costs of common flowers such as Daffodil, Poinsettia, Azaleas, and Hyacinths. In addition to that, other flowers like Oleander, Sweet Peas, Mistletoe, Wisteria, and Rhododendron should be avoided.
Bear in mind that you should exclusively use fresh flowers for cake decorations. You should opt for organic flowers that are free of pesticides to ensure they are safe. It is always a good idea to establish a barrier between the fresh flowers and the cake when possible. That is why fresh flowers are appropriate for iced wedding cakes compared to nearly-naked or naked cake types.
Also, it would be best if you never pushed the flower stems into the cake. In addition to that, be careful when dealing with flowers transported in water. The main reason for this is that the flowers might have bacteria or chemicals, which you do not want to put on the cake. Furthermore, if you are about to cut and serve the cake, you should always remove the cake’s flowers.
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Things to Consider When Decorating the Cake with Fresh Flowers?
First of all, you must ensure to wash and dry the flowers thoroughly. It would help if you did this because you want to get rid of any tiny bugs or dirt. Next, trim the flowers’ stalks. In addition to that, you should remove the flowers’ thorns and their leaves. Then, arrange the flowers on the cake as you desire. Afterward, store the cake in the fridge. Doing this ensures that the flowers remain fresh.
Moreover, keep the flowers’ stems from contaminating the cake, especially for bigger flower bouquets. The most effective solution is by creating approximately one to two inches of fondant balls. Before putting the entire flower decorations on top of the cake, attach the fondant balls to the stems.
Furthermore, you can always try using plastic tubes you receive from the florist. All you have to do is fill them with a bit of water and attach them to the flowers before submerging them into the cake.
Do not forget to arrange smaller flowers together with bigger flowers to fill the gaps. Keep in mind that when storing cakes in the refrigerator, the cake and flowers usually sweat as you take them out.
How to Decorate a Cake with Fresh Flowers
For this tutorial on how to arrange flowers on a cake, you will need:
Ingredients
- Frosted Cake
- Food-safe flowers
- Frosting
Equipment
- Scissors
- Plastic Wrap
- Floral Tape
- Bubble tea straws
- Paper towels
- Cardboard
Step By Step Instructions
Step One: Wash and Dry the Flowers
Choose flowers that are non-toxic and food safe. Also, be sure your flowers are organic and free of any pesticides. Then, wash your flowers and carefully pat them dry on paper towels.
Step Two: Trim the Stems
After washing and drying your flowers, use scissors to trim the stems carefully trim the flowers so the stems are about two inches long.
Step Three: Wrap the Stems
Carefully wrap the stems of the flowers in plastic wrap. If you are making flower arrangements, use floral tape to hold them together.
Step Four: Decorate the Cake
Once you have your flowers ready you can get decorating. If you are adding your flowers to the top of the cake, you can add a barrier of protection by wrapping a small piece of cardboard wrapped in plastic wrap and then placing it on your frosted cake, and then adding more frosting to blend it in. Add your flowers to the top of the frosted cardboard and when ready to slice, carefully remove the flowers and cardboard from the cake.
For adding flowers to the sides of the cake, stick the stems in bubble tea straws and then cut the straws so they are two to three inches long. Carefully stick the straws with the flowers into your cake and then remove them before serving. Wait till as close to your event as possible to add the flowers.
Where Can I Get Fresh Flowers?
Always remember that you need flowers that are organically grown. In addition to that, the fresh flowers you choose should be without any pesticides. It is essential to keep this in mind since your ultimate goal is to place the freshest and safest flowers on a cake.
Not to mention that they are indeed going to make contact with the frosting that everyone will eat. For this reason, you could either get your fresh flowers from the local florist or farmer’s market. Do not worry too much since both are excellent sources of fresh flowers.
It will also help if you talk to the shop owner or grower. And learn their growing practices to ensure that the flowers are indeed safe. However, if you know how to grow flowers yourself, it is a convenient and wonderful opportunity to use that knowledge of yours.
Edible Flowers Indoor Garden Seed Starter Kit
Tips for Fresh Flowers on a Cake
Fresh flowers usually last for approximately eight hours in the fridge. Moreover, it remains fresh for a few hours at room temperature.
With that, you should always remember that every flower has a distinct lifespan once you have wrapped the stem. So, the most effective approach is to ask the florist beforehand regarding it. Besides, it would help if you prepared the fresh flowers at the last possible moment. That is why it is best to decorate the cake with flowers on-site at the event to ensure the freshest blooms.
It is always important to use edible flowers for cake decorating. This will ensure the flowers are safe to be on your cake, as some types of flowers are toxic.
White flowers for cake decorating add a simplistic, elegant look that is great for weddings. However, flowers are also a great way to add a pop of color to your cake and many colorful flowers are safe to add to your cakes.
Decorating a Cake With Fresh Flowers: Perfect for Any Event
Decorating a cake with fresh flowers is easier than you think and a great way to add beautiful decorations. They add a touch of elegance and a pop of color that is sure to impress your guests.
When decorating a cake with fresh flowers, always be sure to double-check that the flowers you are using are non-toxic, organic, and free of pesticides. It is important to remember not all flowers can be used on cakes.
Zarah is an experienced pastry chef whose creations have delighted countless customers. With a passion for baking, Zarah has developed a unique style that combines classic techniques with modern flavors. Her desserts are consistently crafted with the finest ingredients, and her attention to detail is evident in the stunning and delectable results. Zarah has a wealth of experience in the pastry kitchen, and loves to share her knowledge with others. Whether it is teaching a class or creating a custom cake for a special occasion, Zarah is committed to making sure every customer is satisfied.
