This is my version of a Luau cupcake.
I had to find a way to make some sort of tropical flower (hibiscus-like). I know you can buy pre-made gum-paste flowers (like I bought for this luau cake I made years ago) but they are about $2.50 each and the center really isn't edible! Not too many people eat the garnish, but when you're serving kids, there is a possibility. So I set out to make an edible, fairly simple tropical flower.
And this is what I ended up with...
My method was called, "trial and error" or "I am determined to make this work so I don't have to spend $2.50 per flower." I simply rolled out wilton gum-paste, and cut a smallish, 5 petal flower. Then I used a tool called "the wrong end of a paintbrush" and thinned out the edges of the petals, making them frill, and curl. Then I pressed each petal onto this wilton flower forming thing to give it the veins. Then I set them in an empty egg carton to dry. I did have to spend about $32.00 for these few things, but I would've spent $350.00 buying them premade at $2.50 each. So, I felt pretty good about it.
After they dried, I used royal icing and the "brush embroidery" method to color the center of the flower. Then I used a different color royal icing to make the pistil and a made a few yellow dots of pollen. These aren't quite scientifically correct, but I think they get the point across.
On a huge tray, they looked like a tropical flower oasis, so I'm considering my goals met!Labels: cakes/cupcakes