Norwich, Vermont
How to make flowers from gum paste or fondant
To make daisies you will need either of the following:
Fondant: This is used to cover cakes with a smooth sheet of icing; think wedding cakes. It’s also used for decorations, such as flowers. Fondant is harder to use for fine detail work than gum paste; it’s best used for covering a cake, or to make simple edible decorations.
Gum paste: This is pliable and easy to work with, is good for fine work like roses, daisies, and other flowers, and dries hard. While it’s technically edible, it’s generally used for decoration only.
You will also need the following:
- Yellow or orange paste (or gel) food coloring
- Coarse cornmeal (optional)
- Daisy cutters, or a template and sharp knife
- Small paintbrush
- Small shallow bowls, or a curved surface to prop flowers against; this curls the edges of their petals.
- A very smooth rolling pin (silicone or polypropylene is best)
- Plastic wrap or parchment paper
- Carving tools; or household items such as a smooth dowel for forming petals.
To make daisy centers from gum paste:
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- 1) Put a couple of drops of yellow or orange food color on a piece of gum paste.
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- 2) Work the color into the paste; if you don’t want your hands to get yellow, wear protective gloves.
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- 3) The paste will look marbled at first; just keep working at it. Eventually it’ll become evenly colored.
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- 4) Divide the paste into small pieces, and roll them into balls.
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- 5) Flatten the balls; you’re making the daisies’ centers.
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- 6) Place a small amount of coarse cornmeal in a small bowl, and add a bit of yellow or orange food color. Stir until it’s as bright as you want.
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- 7) Brush one side of each flattened ball with a drop of water.
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- 8) Press into the cornmeal. Set aside to dry.
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- 9) Work a small amount of gum paste to soften it, then roll it into a thin sheet. Cover the piece you’re not working with. Use the daisy cutter to cut out several flowers. Each flower will need two layers.
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- 10) Use the end of a paintbrush or pen to press petals out into the shape you want.
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- 11) Use the paintbrush to dampen the center of one daisy.
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- 12) Place another flower on top of it.
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- 13) Press the top flower into place.
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- 14) Use the paintbrush dipped in water to dampen the center of the top daisy.
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- 15) Add a yellow center, pressing down gently.
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- 16) Put the flower on a piece of parchment or plastic wrap to dry. Or place it inside the curve of a bowl to shape it, if desired.
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- 17) Allow to dry overnight or longer. When dry, use a spatula to carefully move the flowers to an airtight container for storage until you need them.
Tips
- Clean your work surface. Any little piece of grit will show in the finished piece.
- Assemble your tools and props before beginning to work.
- Use paste or gel food colors; standard liquid food colors will affect the texture of the gum paste or fondant, making it sticky.
- Add color a small amount at a time, kneading it in until you achieve the depth of color desired.
- Use a small amount of vegetable shortening or lightly spray your work surface with nonstick cooking spray to make is easy to pick up your finished piece.
- Use slightly damp paper towels or cloths on top of plastic wrap to keep the gum paste or fondant from drying out as you work
- Curved bowls or an extra rolling pin may be used to curl the tips of flowers.
