Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Hi, I watched an episode of Cake Boss and they were making ruffles by using the five petal cutter, balling the edges and then cutting in sections and putting on cake – has anyone used this technique and does it look good?

Oh, do you mean the cakes he made for the film (or TV show, I forget)? Beautiful.yes, it’s a lovely effect. You just might want to curve off the point you create as you separate the 5 petals at the centre as they look a bit too pointy otherwise. Also “cup” the petal on a soft sponge using the ball tool to give it a more natural curve.

Hi, it was on one of the tv episodes a couple of nights ago – it was light purple going darker as it went up the cake. I am sure it was a wedding or birthday cake. Thanks – assume you just overlap each petal slightly as you attach it with edible glue or water – again I never know which is best, glue or water?!

Hello annescakes1

Like this http://cakecentral.com/a/petal-cake you mean? If you’ve got some scrap fondant or gum paste have a play and see what you think. That’s what I do when trying to learn a new something, of course doesn’t always work for me! I use glue made with gum tragacanth and water, but use water if you prefer, as long as it sticks. xx

Hi madeitwithlove, yes, that was exactly how I meant! Would you use flower paste to make the petals – just wondered as obviously they would dry very hard and wonder how cutting/eating cake would be?! x

Hi annescakes1

Flower paste will set very hard, 50/50 might be better or you could try it with straight fondant at least then it would still have a bit of softness. There’s a similar question here http://www.cakeflix.com/questions?s=billow+weave have a look at doodlecake’s answer I think I would do it with chocolate modeling paste, or perhaps it might be a bit too expensive?? Cutting wouldn’t really be a problem, the petals will break but it won’t affect how the cake cuts. The brittle petals can be removed by guests once on their serving plates, so they don’t have to be eaten. I certainly wouldn’t eat flower paste even though it is fully edible, crunch, crunch! x

Hi madeitwithlove, Thanks for all the info. If I made them 50/50 with fondant, would I still be able to ball the petals without them tearing? Thanks, x

Yes, you’ll still be able to make frilly petals, fondant on it’s own will still frill but it’s really too sticky and better to have something a little stronger. Put a little trex on your work surface before rolling, just helps prevent sticking.x