Rose Cake Tutorial

SO excited to share with you how easy it is to make the rose cake.  

Seriously, once you see you are going to run right out, buy a 1M tip, and make one.  

That or go back to work. Or bed.  Or whatever it was you were doing before I interrupted you.

Ok, here we go!

There were two main components to this cake.

The vertical layer interior and the frosting rose exterior.  

I am going to do a vertical layer tutorial at a different time, (updated: you can see it HERE) as I did not get any pictures of it this go around and it is IMPOSSIBLE to explain without pictures.  What I can tell you is, I did not make a sponge cake that I simple rolled up.  I actually made two separate cakes and assembled them into the vertical layer pattern.  

Now for the frosting rose tutorial!

I promise you, this could NOT be easier.  Bakers have been putting frosting roses on cupcakes forever by simply using a 1M decorators tip.  That is all I did!!  

(I need to mention... before I froze my cake I poured a simple syrup over it.  This helped to retain moisture as well as assist in binding the layers together... just be careful to not use to much!)

Start with your cake.  I put a good crumb coat on... as in, a crumb coat that conceals the cake underneath.  It can be sloppy and uneven, but you should not be able to see what color the cake is.

Put your 1M tip (or any large open star tip) into the pastry bag then fill it up with buttercream frosting. 

If you have an appropriately sized coupler you can use that, or you can just insert the tip into the bag and cut off the excess.

To make your rose, start in the center, then slowly move your tip in a circle around the center point.  I wanted a single rose to span the side of the cake so I looped around my center point twice.

Try to end in the same place each time.

Go all the way around the cake and complete with one last rose!

This is how it looks after completing the circumference of the cake.

Then go back and add the roses to the top using the same method.

When making flowers that big, you are bound to have some 'dead' space in there. Can you see that big empty spot up there?

My first instinct was to go back in and add dollops of stars... but I think I found a better way! 

Instead go in and make a swoop with your tip. (try and go in the same direction as the rose right next to it)

In the overall design it seems to fit in better then the star dollop!

At least, I hope so anyway. :)

Now... if you are really adventurous and want to add some color to your cake...

You can pick up some of these.

I did a light dusting of yellow then went back over it with the pink.  I have to admit, all white is still my favorite, but I love the flexibility of being able to add some color. 

I think a deep red would be stunning on a Valentines Day cake!  If you try that, be sure to send pictures!  Or just add it to my flickr group!

 

Here are my tips to finding success:

1. Use a good crusting buttercream recipe.  I used my new favorite and loved how it worked.  You will want to make sure the frosting is not creamy though... for the tutorial cake I used a creamier version and the roses did not hold their shape as well. 

2. Make sure you have enough frosting!  Those roses use a lot... I would make the whole batch of the above recipe.

3. Put your cake in the fridge after you are done with decorating to help them set up and retain their shape.

4. Have FUN with it!  Those roses are so forgiving.  But if you find that you really dislike how they are turning out, just scrape them off and start over!

 Cant wait to see what you do! 

And of course, if you have any questions, feel free to let me know.

***

You can also see this on Project Weddings!

Comments

[Brittanie]

You are amazing! Thanks for sharing your great idea. The two-tone roses are to die for!

[Renee]

Looks very easy and elegant! You could probably also put a smear of one color in your bag going up the side in a strip, then add white (or whatever color), if you hold your bag in a certain way it should sort of tip the roses in color. I do it with real tip 104 roses, I imagine it would work this way too. I also do it with swirling colors together on cupcakes too. Hmm now I wanna make cake..

[Nutmeg]

Thanks for sharing that!!! What a great idea adding color!!! :D

[Sue]

Thanks Amanda! You make it look easy. MAYBE I can do it:) So beautiful, the second time around!

[Amber]

So awesome! I can't wait to see the vertical cake tutorial, I'm dying to know how you did it.

[Joy]

Just beautiful. You have amazing talent!!

[Lorie]

I love it!!! And the swoop was a brilliant idea!!

[Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com}]

Looks great, roses are my favorites and yes white is so pretty. Great job!!! So pretty :)

[Jessica @ How Sweet]

Wow! I think I totally need to try it!

[susan]

I want to wear this cake like a dress! can you make some videos, just for me? I want to become a piping master just like you! xx

[Pat]

Stunning! I don't know how you do it but I wanna be like you when I grow up. :-) The all white is just superb. I am going to try this...just have to see if I can do it.

Thanks so much for all the info you share!
Pat

[Monica Lim]

words cannot describe... u're uh-may-zing and i look forward to your updates every week!! xo

[sana faiz]

i just wanna asked after decorating the cake completely does it need tu place inside fridge?isnt butter cream prespired inside refrigerator

[brenda]

Love this!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this. ♥♥

[Paula]

Great tutorial and you make it look so darn easy but I doubt that it is. Thanks for showing us what that color mist can do. I've seen it but never used it. I'm with you that the white roses are the best for your beautiful cake.

[SweetSugarBelle]

Completely floored as usual

[Dianne Chadwick]

You are so AWESOME! This is such a beautiful design!

[GarEli]

FABULOSO

[Gaia]

Just one word:
WONDERFUL

Already sent to the printer!
;-)

[Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen]

I just can't get over how beautiful this cake is! I'm so glad you shared how you did it, not that I could ever hope to recreate this.

[Jun]

Very very really beautiful!!! Just like real roses!

[Emma @ Poires au Chocolat]

That is so much simpler than I thought it would be! Wonderful tutorial, thank you :)

[Happy Cook]

Wowo beautiful, I have seen thise color mist and didint know what they are used for. Wish i could make roses like this.

[ConcordExtra]

I am amazed, your cakes looks amazing. My daughter loves making cakes, am definetely making this on the weekend with her. Thank You :)

[Becki]

Question: Did you spray the roses before or after you put the cake in the fridge to set?

This really is one of the most gorgeous creations I have seen. I do have a 1M tip and will definitely make this my next decorated cake. My mind is racing right now on what else to do with these swirls... topiaries in green and little pink flowers... roses interspersed with the vertical ribbons...edible glitter added for snow on the roses... WOW.

Thanks for the inspiration!

[MandyM]

So simple yet so stunning! You're right, roses on top of cupcakes have been going on for ages, it makes sense to do the same on a cake.
This is absolutely gorgeous. I could see it as a wedding cake too.

Brilliant! :D

[Lynn]

I can't say how much I LOVE this cake!!! Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!

[Paula]

wow! This rose cake looks incredibly amazing!

[steff]

Im shocked at how easy yet so elegant this method makes a cake look! Im too excited to try this...thanks for sharing !!!

[Liz]

Fabulous cake!!!!

[deana@lostpastremembered]

The cake took my breath away... awesome job and your directions almost make me think I could do it even though I am a rotten cake decorator. I can't think of a better cake for valentines or any time!

[BethieofVA]

I love it white!! I might be tempted to try this.

[linda]

the tutorial is FANTASTIC!
i am s o o o excited to try this…& look forward to the vertical layering (which i am trying to imagine how to create & just cannot!)….
thanks so much!

[Kristen @ High Heels and a Hammer]

Stunning cake Amanda!!! You are so talented girl. I'll have to try this one for sure! :)

[Shannon]

Thanks so much for explaining!! I can't wait to try this for my Mother-in-law's Birthday coming up. It will take her breath away!!

[Amy]

I didn't think it was that easy. I think I'm gonna try it too!

[Renee (Kudos Kitchen)]

Wowza! You have left me speachless!!! Stumbled and in love!

[Kenni]

This cake is so easy! I was thinking you made roses with a rose tip and a nail and put them on. I would have gone about this the hard way instead of your sneaky genius way.

[Ashley G.]

Soooo pretty, love it! Going to see if my husband will try to make it for me for Valentines Day! =)

[Robyn]

I'm going to have to give this a try. You make everything look so easy and attainable! :)

[Wenderly]

Sp beautiful! Can't wait to try it!

[TidyMom]

YOU ROCK!..........I love how beautiful this turns out, yet how simple it is to achieve!!
Thanks Amanda

[Paula (Salad in a Jar)]

I think I can do this. Your pictures make it look easy anyway.

[Edith]

This looks absolutely amazing! Congrats! :)

[colleen]

I really can't waitto try this. I need to start practicing for march. I think I will try the practice round for Valentine's day. :O) Woohoo I think I can I think I can I think I can

[Nicole]

Wow thanks for the tutorial! I'm wondering if you would mind sharing how you made the vertical layer cake inside.

[Tracy]

I should have waited for you to put up your tutorial before I made my cake, haha!

[CurlyCupcake]

It's so beautiful! You make the decorating look so simple but I'm not sure I could accomplish that.

[Marie]

This is amazing. When I saw it I thought 'that's what my wedding cake will look like someday.'

[Lauren]

I absolutely love this cake! Thanks for sharing this how to!