To put artificial flowers on a cake, the primary method involves preparing the stems for food safety and then inserting them into the cake. A key step mentioned in cake decorating guides, including visual demonstrations, is using floral tape to cover the stems.
Preparing Artificial Flowers for Cake Decoration
Before placing artificial flowers on a cake, it is crucial to prepare them to ensure food safety. Artificial flowers are typically made with materials that are not food-safe and may contain glues, dyes, or wires that should not directly contact edible surfaces.
Here are the essential preparation steps:
- Clean the Flowers: Gently wipe down the petals and stems with a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue.
- Trim Stems: Cut the stems to the desired length for your arrangement on the cake.
- Create a Barrier: This is the most critical step for food safety. You need to prevent the artificial stem from touching the cake.
- Using Floral Tape: As demonstrated in cake decorating resources (e.g., Cake decorating: how to use artificial flowers on cakes - YouTube at 0:12, which mentions "Using some floral tape... showing you the stems"), wrap the cut end and a portion of the stem that will be inserted into the cake tightly with food-safe floral tape. Ensure the tape completely covers the cut end and any wires.
- Using Food-Safe Plastic Wrap or Sleeves: Alternatively, you can wrap the stem tightly in food-safe plastic wrap or insert the stem into a narrow, food-safe plastic sleeve or drinking straw.
- Using Flower Spikes: Specialty food-safe flower spikes or picks are designed specifically for this purpose; you insert the prepared stem into the spike before placing it in the cake.
| Preparation Step | Purpose | Materials Used |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Flowers | Remove dust/residue | Damp cloth |
| Trim Stems | Adjust length for placement | Scissors or wire cutters |
| Create Barrier | Prevent contact with cake for food safety | Floral tape, plastic wrap, straws, flower spikes |
Placing Flowers on the Cake
Once the stems are safely covered, you can begin placing the artificial flowers on the cake.
- Plan Your Design: Decide where you want each flower to go before inserting them.
- Insert Prepared Stems: Gently push the covered or protected stem directly into the frosting or cake layers. For multi-tiered cakes, consider inserting stems into dowels or cake supports for stability, or plan placement around structural elements.
- Adjust Placement: Once inserted, you can slightly adjust the angle and position of the flowers to create your desired arrangement.
- Consider Weight: Be mindful of the weight and size of the flowers, especially on softer frostings like whipped cream. Heavier flowers may need more support or a wider barrier base.
Using artificial flowers allows for flexibility in design and can be a cost-effective alternative to fresh flowers, provided they are prepared safely to avoid any contamination of the cake.
