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!
Amazingly BEAUTIFUL cake!!
Posted by: Kmwhite | Jun 17, 2011 at 08:50 PM
I tried this! It's not as pretty as yours but it's not a complete disaster either! Hooray! Thanks for the tutorial! We won't talk about what happened when I tried to follow your other tutorial to make the vertical cake!:)
http://copy-cat-crafter.blogspot.com/2011/06/roses-and-turtles-and-feathers-oh-my.html
Posted by: Jessica Lauren | Jun 18, 2011 at 09:24 PM
Wow - your rose cake is absolutely beautiful. A work of art. And looks mouthwatering too! I love the striped cake inside. Fun surprise. Seriously - this cake is gorgeous.
Posted by: ShannonSews | Jun 22, 2011 at 09:30 AM
i liked how easy you make the flowers sound
Posted by: Jennie | Jun 23, 2011 at 02:59 PM
Gorgeous! I am totally thinking of having this as a three tier and as my wedding cake... LOVE!
Posted by: Lauren A | Jun 26, 2011 at 08:12 PM
How beautiful! You may have just inspired me to actually try to pipe buttercream!
May I post and link to your blog? (And use the photo of the roses cake?)
Posted by: Deborah | Jun 28, 2011 at 08:23 AM
I've bookmarked this page, I SO want to try it! Promise to let you know if I do :)
Posted by: Nuri | Jun 28, 2011 at 04:08 PM
Hello, have found your blog through another favourite blog. So glad to be here. You have an amazing talent. Can't wait to see more! :)
Posted by: Julia @ Mélanger | Jun 30, 2011 at 03:31 AM
I also love this cake. Our daughter is getting married and the roses will be perfect! I go to your blog from time to time and I am never disappointed. You are amazing......
Many thanks.
Posted by: Sandra | Jul 10, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Yay!! Gonna make one today!!
Posted by: Ariane | Jul 16, 2011 at 08:56 AM
I made this cake for my bff's birthday last night. It was the most beautiful cake ever and everyone was floored that I had made it. I can't believe how easy it was and the result was amazing. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
See my result here: http://themissgracie.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/hotter-than-georgia-asphalt/
Posted by: Barbara | Jul 24, 2011 at 01:17 PM
I'm in love with this cake! Bookmarked the page and all. Could you maybe post a good photo of the tip? I can't find any "1M" in this side of the world. :)
Posted by: Nuri | Jul 26, 2011 at 09:09 AM
CakeCentral is chock full of rose cake photos, all crediting YOU! So naturally I had to check out your tutorial. Thank you for sharing this beautiful idea!
Posted by: Rebecca Nevels Holloway | Jul 30, 2011 at 06:55 PM
OmG!!! can you please tell me how you did it and the recipe, pleaseeeeee. thank you
Posted by: Jackie Rivero | Aug 01, 2011 at 08:34 PM
absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: sidiqa | Aug 06, 2011 at 04:43 PM
I just made this cake for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. I added two smaller layers on top so it appeared to be more of a tiered wedding cake. I also put a golden 50 on the top. It was a hit! It looked really difficult, but actually wasn't. Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Kelli Risnes | Aug 07, 2011 at 07:55 PM
I am so excited!!!!!! What a beautiful cake!!!! So simple!! I know what I'm gonna play around with tomorrow!!!!!!!
Posted by: Heather | Aug 07, 2011 at 09:56 PM
Fantastic work here. Love this style. The mist is really cool to work with.
Posted by: Rhonda Giarraffa | Aug 08, 2011 at 05:04 PM
This for sure is a peace of art. I will try to reproduce these but I think I won't succeed.
Posted by: Маратонки | Aug 09, 2011 at 03:50 AM
thank you so much! my mom wanted me to make this for her for her wedding and i had no idea how to do it! she is gonna love it!
Posted by: Rachel Frazee | Aug 09, 2011 at 09:39 AM
I have been seeing these cakes and they look so complicated but your instructions seem so simple! I can't wait to try this. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Posted by: Laura | Aug 10, 2011 at 04:48 PM
We film over 80 weddings a year and I have to say this is prettier than any cake we have seen. Great job! I bet it tasted better too.
Posted by: kenya reinhardt | Aug 10, 2011 at 07:53 PM
Ideas para mi cumple !
Posted by: Thicany | Aug 16, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Thank you so much for this tutorial! Even I could manage to do it! I just posted the result on my blog, and I think it's so nice I'll print the picture on a card to be a wedding card that goes along with a gift for a newly wed couple! Thank you. If you're interested in my result:
http://zwergenzwirn.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/christening-cake-test-run/
Posted by: Sabine | Aug 16, 2011 at 01:25 PM
wondering how many layers the cake in the tutorial pics is? also wondered the diameter of the cake. it looks perfect and would love to try it for a bday cake soon.
thanks for sharing!
Posted by: noelle | Aug 16, 2011 at 03:57 PM
I like this recipe, the color is beautiful, appealing and delicious.
Posted by: KINGRPG | Aug 16, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Hey! I was wondering what recipe did you use for your frosting on this cake? I use a too creamy kind and like you said it didnt work well.
Posted by: Kim | Aug 19, 2011 at 09:40 AM
Lovely! This is make easier then trying to make a rose the other way. I love baking and decorating cakes. So I am going to try this method on my next cake. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Vanessa | Aug 21, 2011 at 08:21 AM
I just made this cake for my daughter's 3rd birthday. She picked it out herself! I was looking at your blog and she said, "Mommy, I want THAT cake for my birthday!" I did a two layer chocolate cake and the rose design. Received a million compliments on it!
Posted by: Lynne | Aug 21, 2011 at 02:29 PM
Do you think a cream cheese frosting would work? I have an amazing red velvet cake I would love to make & use the rose technique to frost it.
Posted by: Amy mcd | Aug 26, 2011 at 03:42 PM
:O
beautyfull
Posted by: Cle | Aug 27, 2011 at 03:36 AM
I actually made this today and it turned out JUST like you said! Thank you for the wonderful idea and thank you especially for sharing how to do it!
Posted by: Emily | Aug 27, 2011 at 04:13 PM
So beautiful , sofisticated and Rosie!
I have made my version (nothing like yours!) here we go! http://creacionesartisticas-marie.blogspot.com/2011/08/pastel-vertical-de-rosas-superdesafio.html
Cheers and thanks a lot for your quick advice :D
, marie
Posted by: Marie | Aug 31, 2011 at 07:09 AM
Would you recommend using your "new favorite buttercream" in making this rose cake? I notice it has lesser shortening than the one you used for this rose cake.
Posted by: Lala | Sep 05, 2011 at 09:22 PM
I'm gonna share it in Facebook, this is really awesome
Posted by: zwliy | Sep 09, 2011 at 04:30 AM
i LOVE THIS! want TO FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL DO IT FOR MY DAUGHTERS WEDDING!
Posted by: Lynda Labrum | Sep 11, 2011 at 02:29 PM
It looks wonderfull! I wish I could do this to one of my cakes!:)
Posted by: Account Deleted | Sep 15, 2011 at 06:26 AM
What a beautiful cake! I'm not a big fan of buttercream frosting. Have you ever made these roses out of cream cheese frosting?
Posted by: Karen Mast | Sep 23, 2011 at 04:10 AM
I LOVE this! and and going to attempt it this weekend for a bridal shower, but when you started on the top of the cake did you start from the center and work your way out or did you start at the edge and work your way in? Do you think it would matter? (would one way leave more holes than the other?)
Thank you fro sharing this wonderful tutorial I am super excited to try it! :)
Posted by: elizabeth zandona | Oct 01, 2011 at 01:47 AM
Looks beautiful, too bad you can`t have a taste via the screen :(
Posted by: בניית אתרים | Oct 05, 2011 at 11:54 AM
That looks really great, and it's an easy way to decorate a cake perfectly :)
Posted by: | Oct 06, 2011 at 10:58 PM
I just wanted to say THANK YOU! I saw this cake so long ago and always thought it was beautiful, but today it was my lifesafer! After baking a layer cake, the cake was unbelievably stuck to the bottom of the pans - and after trying every trick in the book, they still came out completely broken. After piecing it back together and smearing the crumbliest (is that a word?) coat of icing on top, it looked horrendous. But then I remembered your rose cake! So in a last attempt, I piped on these roses, at it worked! I couldn't believe it - I now have a presentable cake! So thank you thank you!
Posted by: Samantha | Oct 07, 2011 at 07:00 PM
amanda, beautiful job as always! i dream of this cake!
Posted by: Anna Grace | Oct 08, 2011 at 01:42 PM
Loved this tutorial, thank you! I did this for one of my brother's five wedding cakes, and it turned out so beautiful! It was easy and impressed all the guests.
Posted by: Laura | Oct 15, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Hi, your cake look absoutely stunning. What a great idea to put roses all over the cake. This gives a an idea to make one just like that when comes to valentine's day. I do have a question to ask you. I am planning to make a birthday cake for my daugther using crusting buttercream. I will make the cake on Thursday. My daughter's birthday is on Saturday. Can I put the cake in the refrigerator until Saturday?
I would appreciate if you can help to answer that. Thank you!
Cassandra
Posted by: Cassandra Harris Tan | Oct 16, 2011 at 03:34 PM
So beautiful and not as intimidating as I initially thought. Even the inside of the cake is lovely!
Posted by: Lisa M | Oct 18, 2011 at 11:36 AM
What a gorgeous cake!
Posted by: Michelle Freel | Oct 23, 2011 at 07:02 PM
I hope I'm not late to the party in thanking you for the wonderful tutorials that you have shared on your website..Love all of your work and look forward in seeing new ideas from you...Thank you...Sandy
Posted by: Sandy | Oct 29, 2011 at 09:36 PM
yuummmmm those cakes look so delicious i will buy one to eat it in the evening cuz i cant make one myself :I
Posted by: Bitacora | Nov 01, 2011 at 05:32 PM