of royal icing.
you will need
It’s always a good
idea to make more
Eiffel towers than you
require, to allow for
any breakages
back to basics royal icing … buttercream … sugarpaste … flower paste … bows …
very vintage
beautiful birdcage
Vintage or garden-style weddings are often decorated with gorgeous
little birdcages and these striking cupcakes reflect this theme. The bird
and cage are assembled from white flower paste, with a little help from
some cutters; a process that is surprisingly simple but gives impressive
results. Pretty blossoms scattered around the cage enhance the vintage,
romantic feel and can even be coloured to complement the bridal colour
scheme. These beautiful cupcakes would make perfect wedding favours.
White doves are a traditional
symbol of peace, love, faith and
fidelity, which makes them the
ideal decoration for this bridal
cupcake. The bird is simply
modelled from flower paste, using
cutters for the wings and tail.
covering the cupcakes
1 Spread a thin layer of buttercream
over the cupcakes and chill in the
refrigerator until firm.
2 Roll out the sugarpaste until it is
approximately 4mm (⅛in) thick and
for the cage
3 Roll out very thin sausage shapes
of white flower paste to make the
bars of the cage, using the icing
smoother to create a smooth surface.
You will need at least six pieces,
each about 6–7.5cm (2½–3in) long.
4 Brush a little edible glue on to
the cupcakes and stick the bars in
place, spacing them evenly apart
around the cakes. Join them neatly
where they meet in the middle and
trim away any excess paste where it
hangs over the sides of the cupcake.
5 Using a ball tool, make a small
dip in the middle where the bars
meet. Roll a small ball of flower
paste, flatten it and gently press it
into the little hole, making another
indentation in the top.
6 Roll another thin sausage shape,
again about 6–7.5cm (2½–3in) long,
to make the loop on the top of the
cake. Bend the two ends round to
meet each other and press the hook
into the hole in the centre of the
cupcake, securing it in place with a
little edible glue.
The white cage bars stand out
beautifully against the dusky blue
covering, enhancing the vintage feel.
