Elegant Sugar Flowers

Create stunning, lifelike sugar flowers to elevate your cakes and desserts. Delicate, detailed, and customizable, these edible decorations are perfect for weddings, birthdays, and special occasions. With the right technique and patience, you can craft breathtaking floral designs that look almost too beautiful to eat.

Yield: 10-12 Medium Flowers

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Drying Time: 12-24 hours

Difficulty: Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Sugar Paste (Gumpaste):

• 2 cups (250g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1 ½ tsp Tylose powder (or CMC powder)
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tsp vegetable shortening (for kneading)
• ½ tsp lemon juice (optional, for elasticity)

Additional Supplies:

• Food gel coloring (as needed)
• Cornstarch or powdered sugar (for rolling)
• Edible glue or water
• Small flower cutter and veiner
• Floral wire (24-28 gauge)
• Foam pad and ball tool
• Petal dust (optional, for shading)

Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare the Gumpaste:

1. In a bowl, mix egg white and lemon juice. Gradually add sifted confectioners’ sugar, stirring until combined.

2. Add Tylose powder and mix well; the paste will thicken.

3. Knead the paste with shortening until smooth and pliable. Wrap in plastic and let it rest for 2-3 hours.

Step 2 – Roll & Cut Petals:

4. Lightly dust a surface with cornstarch and roll out the gumpaste thinly.

5. Use a flower cutter to cut out petal shapes.

Step 3 – Shape & Vein:

6. Place petals on a foam pad and thin the edges with a ball tool for a realistic look.

7. Use a veiner to add texture or press lines gently with a modeling tool.

Step 4 – Assemble the Flower:

8. Insert floral wire into the base of each petal (if making wired flowers).

9. Arrange and attach petals using edible glue, allowing each layer to dry slightly before adding the next.

Step 5 – Dry & Color:

10. Let flowers dry on a shaping foam for 12-24 hours.

11. Once set, dust with petal dust or spray with edible shimmer for a lifelike finish.

Nutrition Info (Per Flower, Approximate):

• Calories: ~25 kcal
• Carbs: 6g
• Protein: 0.2g
• Fats: 0g
• Sugar: 6g

Pro Tip: Store sugar flowers in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Avoid refrigeration, as moisture can soften them.