The safest way to attach fresh flowers to the side of a cake is to use a posy pick, which creates a necessary food-safe barrier.
Here's a breakdown of why and how to use posy picks effectively:
Why Posy Picks Are Essential
- Food Safety: Direct contact between fresh flowers and cake frosting can be unsafe. Many flowers are not food-safe and may contain pesticides or other harmful chemicals. Posy picks prevent these substances from contaminating the cake.
- Moisture Control: Flower stems release moisture that can damage the frosting and cake. The plastic of a posy pick acts as a barrier, keeping the cake dry.
- Flower Stability: Posy picks provide support for the flowers, keeping them securely in place on the side of the cake. This reduces the risk of flowers sliding or falling.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Posy Picks:
- Prepare Your Flowers: Choose your fresh flowers and cut their stems to the desired length for placement on your cake.
- Insert Flower Stems: Carefully place each flower stem into a posy pick. Make sure the stem is firmly inside to avoid wiggling and slippage.
- Position on Cake: Gently push the pointed end of the posy pick into the side of the cake, where you want the flowers to sit. The pick should be sturdy enough to hold the flower, but not so deep that it goes through the cake.
- Arrange Flowers: Arrange the flowers as desired, using multiple posy picks if you want to create a larger floral design around the cake. Make sure flowers are placed evenly to enhance the aesthetic.
Additional Tips:
- Choose Food-Safe Flowers: Even with posy picks, it is best to opt for edible flowers where possible. Some flowers are toxic even if not ingested.
- Wash Your Flowers: Thoroughly wash all flowers before inserting into the posy pick, even if they are considered edible. This reduces the chance of contamination.
- Consider a Layer: When using flowers on the side, sometimes it is a good idea to add an extra layer of frosting so the flowers don't pierce the main layer of cake.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Method | Using posy picks |
| Purpose | Creates a food-safe barrier between flowers and cake. |
| Safety | Prevents contamination from non-food-safe flowers. |
| Stability | Provides support and secure flower placement. |
| Moisture Control | Prevents flower stems from damaging the cake. |
By using posy picks, you can safely and beautifully decorate your cake with fresh flowers, following food safety guidelines.
