Nowadays it is very fashionable to decorate cakes, especially wedding and anniversary cakes, with fresh flowers. However, there are some nuances that must be taken into account: what fresh flowers can be used to decorate cakes, how to prepare flowers before they get on your cake. That’s what we’re going to talk to you about today.
It’s no secret that a cake with fresh flowers looks very presentable, and if it is a wedding cake and the flower arrangement on it repeats elements of the bride’s bouquet, it all looks very harmonious. Of course you can decorate the cake with mastic flowers, and many do, and it also has a place, because the confectionery floristics is not standing still, and is constantly evolving and improving, but in this topic we are talking about fresh flowers used to decorate a sweet masterpiece.
In addition, you can also decorate an ordinary homemade cake with fresh flowers, in which case you will save not only time but also effort, and your dessert will play with other colors. So, let’s begin.
What fresh flowers can be used to decorate cakes
As it turns out, not all flowers are suitable for decorating desserts, because many of them in contact with food are dangerous to health. Therefore, you should clearly adhere to this rule if you decide to decorate your cake with fresh flowers.
Flowers incompatible with the cake
I will list the flowers that are categorically not allowed to be used when decorating cakes:
- azalea
- anemone
- anthurium
- poinsettia
- iris
- lily of the valley
- calla
- poppy
- magnolia
- ivy
- lady’s slipper
- tulip
- hyacinth
- lily
- daffodil
- hydrangea
- snowdrop
- carnation
Flowers compatible with cake
Let me list the flowers you can use when decorating your desserts:
- rose
- marigold
- nasturtium
- cornflower
- dandelion
- chamomile
- clover
- chrysanthemum
- daisy
- lavender
- lilac
- geranium
- jasmine
How to prepare flowers before they go on your cake
The best option is of course to use those flowers that you have grown yourself. I, for example, have roses and marigolds growing on the plot outside my house, which I very often use to decorate dishes and cakes, among other things.
But if you do not have such an opportunity, then the flowers have to buy in florist salons, or better yet on organic farms, where the seller must provide certificates guaranteeing the safe cultivation of plants. And you definitely should not buy flowers from unverified sellers and supermarkets.
So, you’ve bought flowers, and what to do next? And then you need to prepare them for decoration of the cake.
- Flowers need to put them in water and put them in the fridge overnight, so they can soak up the water.
- Cut off the buds, leaving a stem length of 4-5 cm.
- Treat the stem and those places that will be in contact with the cake with alcohol (vodka will also work).
- After the alcohol dries, wrap the stem with tape, moving from the bud to the tip of the stem, which must be sealed.
- Over the tape, wrap the stem with food film.
In this way, treat all the desired flowers and you can already use them for decoration.
So, it is important to know which flowers are compatible and which are not, and it is better to avoid direct contact between the plant and the food, creating a border of special inserts or food film. Knowing and adhering to these rules, your holiday event will give you a lot of joy and pleasure, because you will watch the happy and satisfied faces of the guests, who will be delighted with your sweet masterpiece. Imagine, create! Dare! And you will succeed!