Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Hi im making a beach themed cake for a competion but im not allowed to use wires/internal supports but i really want to make palm trees….does anyone know of anyway of making them without wires? X

Hi, the only way i know without supports is to build them gradually and allow to dry before adding the next bit. Its a long process but can be done.

or how about modelling chocolate- if your allowed this medium

Hi Janeylfc

What you could do is first make all the leaves and let them dry in a former. Make the tree trunks either by rolling and shaping some gum paste so it’s fatter at the bottom and tappering at the top or by making graduating sized balls, flattened and placed on top of each other like in the tutorial, they can be shaped with a slight curve to appear more natural. Make a V pattern all the way along the trunk to give it texture. Leave it to dry out so it will be solid enough to stick the leaves on. Once the leaves are dry and dusted they can be placed on a ball of fondant pressed down to make a platform for the leaves to be stuck on with dark ganache. Keep the ball of fondant higher than work surface level so that the leaves can drape. leave to dry and attach to the prepared, dry trunks with ganache. The other way is to make a circle of ganache on a piece of parchment paper and add the leaves in the appropriate way. You can add smaller leaves at the top to make the crown look more full and add a couple of small balls under the leaves to represent coconuts and also to help support the leaves. If non of this makes sense disregard it! x

If you are allowed to use flower paste then making in advance and drying out would work too and maybe if wire is not allowed would they allow pasta? Eg: spaghetti?

Thanks guys yes i can use florist paste and spagetti but spagetti won’t bend like wires…also madeitwithlove most of it makes sense but can i use royal icing instead of genache to stick the leaves?? X

Yes you can but colour it so blends in with the rest of the tree trunks and leaves. You will only need a small amount that is why I suggested dark ganache. If you feel safer with RI that’s fine. x