Roses and Ribbon Birthday Cake

This cake was made for a 50th birthday celebration. It is designed to resemble a bunch of flowers wrapped and tied with a bow.

Having covered the cake with marzipan and allowed it to harden I covered the sides of the cake. I rolled out rectangle sections of ivory fondant which were longer than the height of the cake. I then folded them to create a concertina effect.

I attached these sections of folded fondant around the side of the cake using a brush dipped in water. I supported the parts of the fondant sitting above the top of the cake with pieces of foam placed on the top of the cake.

I then made the roses. I rolled out strips of ivory fondant and then rolled them up as you would a tape measure. I gathered them slightly at one side as i rolled them.

I placed the roses on the top of the cake inside the folded fondant.

Next I made the ribbon. I rolled out maroon fondant for this and cut a wide strip out. I then used a textured tool to give the fondant a look of fabric. I attached the ribbon to the cake with water brushed onto the surface of the cake.

When I attach decorations such as ribbons I brush the water onto the cake. If I was to brush water onto the decoration it would make it very sticky and difficult to handle and would easily become misshaped.

I rolled out some fondant with gum tragacanth added (see jewel wedding cake) and left it to harden.

Once hardened I pushed it gently behind the ribbon to look like a card attached to flowers. I also piped a birthday greeting onto it.

I think this cake looked really pretty and was perfect for a 50th birthday cake.