Can You Decorate A Cake With Artificial Flowers?

Decorating Cakes with Artificial Flowers
Yes, you can decorate your cakes with artificial flowers no matter the type of cake and the purpose. Whether it be a wedding cake, birthday cake, or anniversary cake, you can decorate them all with artificial flowers.

Flowers and cakes are an excellent decorative combination. There are reasons why real flowers may not be the best option for your cake. Artificial flowers, in general, are better than real flowers for many reasons. They require less preparation, are always available no matter what the season, and do not require watering. Just make sure to tell your guests that they are not edible. Always place a note or sign in front of your cake to make it very clear that the flowers are not edible.

Preparing To Decorate Your Cake with Artificial Flowers
Every cake has a purpose, and decorating your special cake with flowers is relatively easy, however the most crucial part of the process is sourcing the right flower for the cake.

As a cake maker or buyer, understanding the intent of the cake is important. Is the cake for a birthday, a memorial, an anniversary, or a wedding? The purpose of the cake should guide you in choosing the right type of flowers for the occasion. The materials required to decorate your cake include artificial flowers, your cake (of course!), wax paper and/or plastic wrap, paper towel, scissors, and a sink. To decorate your cake with artificial flowers, follow the steps below.

Step One: Get the right flowers
The first step in decorating your cake is to choose the right artificial flowers for the job. There are many different options, but the most realistic option is to use silk flowers. If they’re not available, there are other options to choose from, but silk flowers are the most premium and realistic option. It is also essential to ensure that the dyes and materials used on the flowers are non-toxic.

Before you order the flowers online, you need to decide on the colour scheme, which size flowers to use, number of flowers, and general theme of the cake. This will help you when making the decision of what type of artificial flowers to buy.

Step Two: Trim the flowers
After buying and taking delivery of the flowers for your cake decoration, the next thing is to reduce the length of the stems. If you want your flowers to lay flat on the cake, the length should be as short as possible.

For larger, heavier flowers that require a little extra support, for stability you should keep the stem longer so it can anchor well in the cake. But if the artificial flowers on your cake are to sit on the surface directly, you can remove the stem altogether.

Step Three: Clean the flowers
Now that you are done modifying the stems to suit, the next step is to wash the flowers. Since you will place the flowers on an edible cake, you need to take your time and give them a thorough cleaning.

Wash every part of the flower, from the stem and petals to the leaves. The reason for washing the flower is not because you will eat it, but to get rid of any dirt that may contaminate your cake. So, take extra care to wash them properly.

Step Four: Allow the flowers to dry
Once the flowers are clean, be sure to dry them before placing them on your cake. Shake the flowers gently to remove any trapped water and dry them thoroughly using a paper towel. When drying, try to turn the flower upside down and dabbing them gently so that all the water trapped in the petals can come off. Drying your flowers will prevent the water from ruining the icing on your cake!

Step Five: Decorate the cake with the flowers
Now that you have completed the preparation; it is time to begin the main task of beautifying your cake with your artificial flowers. There are two common ways of doing it when it comes to decoration.

Placing the flowers on the surface of the cake
You can place the flowers on the cake’s surface without attaching them. In this method, you can use a piece of wax paper to cover the area where the flowers will sit on the cake. Use a little buttercream or icing to then stick the flower to the wax paper. This method will allow you to remove them easily and prevents any contact with the part of the cake that people will eat.

Embedding part of the flower inside the cake
The other way to do it is by embedding part of the flower inside the cake – the stem. This is necessary if your flower requires some form of stability. If you are going to use this method for your cake decoration, wrap the flower's stem in plastic wrap before inserting it into the cake. Use a small section of plastic wrap to cover the stem, and then stick the stems into the cake one by one in a way that suits your overall design.

Why Not Real Flowers?

Organic flowers should be used
It is better to always go for organic flowers when shopping for real flowers for your cake decoration. That way, you are sure that there will not be any pesticides or herbicides on your cake. Using organic flowers also will also mean have to ensure that there are no bugs trapped within the petals capable of contaminating your cake.

Easily damaged when washed
It doesn't matter whether you are using artificial, organic or inorganic flowers; it is vital to ensure that the flowers are clean and safe from contamination. Cut the stem down to about 3.8 cm or 1.5 inches and dip it into cold water. If you are concerned about the presence of bugs, dip the entire flower into the water for some minutes, then take them out and dry them using a paper towel. If you wash or press too hard, you may end up damaging the flowers.

Avoid toxic flowers
Some flowers are known to have toxins. It is best not to use such flowers for cake decoration. If you are not sure about the toxicity of the flower you are using, ask the seller or read its reviews online. This is especially important when cutting stems and inserting them into the cake. If you are not 100% sure the flowers are free from toxins and other nasty chemicals, do NOT use them.

Fake Flowers Vs. Real Flowers for Cake Decoration
Artificial flowers
Pros

• Artificial flowers have come to be accepted for cake decoration
• They are available in different brands, qualities, and colours
• Most are also very realistic and beautiful
• They are relatively affordable
• They are available in all seasons
• They have low maintenance needs
• They are less sensitive to weather
• They do not lead to allergies.
• Since they don’t wilt, they are perfect for occasions like weddings, where the wedding cake is expected to sit a while before cutting.

Cons

• NOT edible.
• You may not find the type you want at your local store
• You may have to search a while before you find what you need
• Except for high-quality artificial flowers, some fake flowers are cheap and of low quality

Real flowers
Pros

• Real flowers are beautiful
• Their delicate petals, fresh colour, and texture all add to the appeal of your cake
• Real flowers are available in various sizes and shapes and variants
• Some real flowers are edible (think of a lovely meal at a restaurant that are sometimes decorated with real, edible flowers)

Cons

• Some real flowers are seasonal and not available all year round
• Some flowers do not last long without water
• The flowers may start to wilt before the cake is cut
• Some fresh flowers start to wilt immediately after the cake is cut
• In some cases, the choice of flower may be up to the baker, and they may not choose a type that meets your taste, leading to disappointment
• Some fresh flowers are poisonous and may be dangerous if used for cake decoration

How To Arrange Artificial Flowers on Cakes

For you to create a realistic arrangement with your artificial flowers, you need to do precisely what you would do if you were using real flowers. All crucial aspects when arranging a natural flower are also applied to artificial flowers. As with any good plan, you should sketch out the arrangement on paper to properly get a clear vision of your goal.

Be clear on what colours are going where, and what type of flowers are placed in certain positions. By creating a detailed plan of what you want to achieve, you are more likely to have a beautiful result. You should also ask yourself what will the purpose of the cake be; wedding, anniversary, birthday, etc.?

All these questions will help you choose the which colours to use, the kinds of flowers to buy, and the size of the flower arrangement. Working with artificial flowers has many benefits, but one of the most important is that you can place flowers in their exact positions, making it possible to create a masterpiece.

Why Use Artificial Flowers For Cake Decoration?
There are situations where real flowers are not the best, such as weddings. In most wedding ceremonies, the ceremony is held early morning while the entertainment of guests and the cutting of the cake happens much later in the day.

In such scenarios, it will be impractical to use real flowers on the cake as they will likely go limp and wilt before the reception events begin. It is better that you go with artificial flowers so that your cake and its decorations will stay fresh all day.

Some people will have allergies and cannot be around real flowers. If you or your guests have allergies and you would still love to have flowers on your cake, silk or artificial flowers are completely free from allergens.

The availability of artificial flowers makes them a better choice than real flowers. Artificial flowers are always available any day, time, and in abundance. This is unlike real flowers, which are primarily seasonal and tend to be expensive off-season.

Let Experts Help You Buy Quality Artificial Flowers
The key to getting the best out of your artificial flowers is to go for quality products. There are different types of artificial flowers in the market, but some of them are not of good quality and will not likely produce the real-flower appearance you want to see.

Therefore, next time you want to shop for artificial flowers, whether for cakes or for other types of interior or exterior decorations, insist on quality artificial flowers for the best results.

If you would like to purchase artificial flowers to add colour to your cake but are not sure what would work for your specific situation, you can always consult experts. Working with them will help you take the guesswork out of your cake decoration. They know what is currently trending in the market and will be able to find something that will capture the end result you want.

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