When you see the picture above, what do you see? Hopefully you’ll respond by telling me, “I see leaves” (lie if you have to). Because if you don’t see what I’m seeing I’m screwed. You see, I just finished baking and decorating a cake for The Daring Kitchen’s Cake Decorating Challenge for a chance to win a trip to the New York Cake Convention in NYC sponsored by the lovely people at the U.S. Confection Connection. {Entries can be found here} The challenge was to decorate a 9-inch cake in an Autumn inspired theme. For my entry, I decided to decorate my cake with chocolate fondant and gum paste leaves painted to look like Fall in Seattle. As I was making the leaves, it occurred to me others may want to know how to make these leaves as well. So grab a cup of coffee and lets get started. 
First of all you need to buy gum paste. I know there are recipes floating around the internet on how to make it yourself, but if you ask me it is far more trouble than its worth. Instead, you can buy a quick-dry powdered mix such as the one pictured above where you just add water, or you can buy pre-made gum paste. Now depending on what you’re trying to make, you’ll want to tint your gum paste with gel paste coloring available at cake supply stores such as Michaels. I poured several drops of “gold” gel paste and kneaded it into the dough. For the powdered gum paste mix, after you mix and knead your dough, you are suppose to let it rest for 24 hours before working with it in a sealed container or bag. *Sidenote: gum-paste typically starts to dry very quickly, you will want to keep any unused dough in a sealed zip lock back. 
Next: Roll your gum paste out as thin as you would like using powered sugar or cornstarch to help the dough not stick to your rolling pin or counter. Using a leaf shaped cookie cutter, cut out gum paste leaves a couple at a time. 
Using the back of a non-toxic/poisonous leaf, place a piece of plastic wrap in between the leaf and the gum paste cut out. The picture above doesn’t show a piece of plastic wrap because frankly, at 11:30pm in the evening – I forgot. Using a rolling pin, gently roll over the gum paste dough to set an impression on it. Doesn’t it look real? 
After making an impression in each leaf, set them on a crinkled piece of foil to dry. Make sure to press each one down gently for random looking pieces (as pictured). 
After the leaves have all dried they are ready to be painted. 
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In addition to pedal/luster dusk (as shown above), you will need a clean paint brush and some vodka. For those of you who are wondering why vodka is needed, alcohol allows you to paint on your colors but evaporates very quickly. 
What I like to do is pour different colors of dust on one plate with a small dipping bowl next to it partially filled with a couple tablespoons of vodka. From there I dab my paint brush into the vodka first, then mix it into the pedal dusk on the plate to whatever consistency I am desiring. It is very similar to painting a craft project. The thicker the consistency the thicker the coverage is. The thinner the consistency, the clearer the color will be. 
What I like to do is paint very randomly. I don’t have a guide I use but I like to use various colors of paint for each leaf. Sometimes I will start by painting the veins of each leaf one color, and finishing the leaf off in a different one. Be creative and paint each leaf how you like! Do not forget to paint the backside of each leaf as well if the backsides will be visible when displayed. Allow gum paste leaves to completely dry before using. 
Voila! You have just made gum paste leaves ready to decorate your Fall cake! 
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By no means am I an expert in gum paste but I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Here is a post on how to frost a layered cake and recreate the Fall cake I have pictured. Hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial.
Cake Decorating Supplies related to this post:
Wilton Ready To Use Gum Paste
AMERICOLOR SOFT GEL PASTE FOOD COLOR SET OF 12
Fox Run 3-Piece Leaf Cookie Cutter Set
Hi there,
Great tutorial and great pictures that correspond. I’m a visual learner, so this was SUPER helpful.
I do have a question- I’m a beginner at decorating. I wanted to add some fall leaves to cupcakes. WOuld it be better to try fondant? I love the look and feel of these leaves and was hoping to add 1-2 leaves(like yours) to the top of some cupcakes.
WHat do you think?
Can we use something aside from vodka? Like will water work?
That is so lovely!
Thank you for these instructions. They are extremely helpful. I am doing several cakes for a wedding next month and part of their theme is oak leaves and acorns.
Your cake is absolutely beautiful. How do affix the leaves to the cake and to one another or do you just set them on top?
What can I use instead of vodka for the petal dust? I’ll be serving a group of recovering addicts
Great ideas on the diabetic alternatives! Still wondering what you think about using craft clay to make your own leaf presses… I enjoy sculpting and would like to try my hand at this if it is a safe medium to use. I will try the suger substitutes and let you know how it effects his blood sugar as this info may be helpful to others who visit your site. Well done Alice!
Hi, here’s a link I found that might be helpful for you! http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/outreach/oregon-poison-center/upload/Non-Toxic-Plants.pdf
Hi Candi, most diabetic cake recipes I’ve seen use some type of sugar substitute, but since flour has carbs it might be too high hypoglycemic for your husband. With frosting, you are probably safer just creaming a sugar substitute like Splenda with butter. For cake recipes, I would recommend searching the internet for cake recipes using almond or coconut flour and sweetened with a sugar substitute.
Almost forgot… my husband is diabetic, so I’m always looking for sugar substitute recipes. Do you have any cake and icing recipes in this catagory? Again, many thanks for your expert advice!
Incredible site! Yes, Greenlake is beautiful, used to jog around the lake when I lived in Seattle (moving back to No. Idaho next year). Have you ever considered making your own leaf presses with the craft clays they sell at Michaels? In Florida non toxic anything is hard to find, just wondering if you think this alternative might work? If not, can you give us an idea of which common plants are non toxic?
Now that I’ve seen your site I’ll be a loyal fan forever! Your photos and instructions are some of the best I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing and motivating us back into the kitchen!
Thank you for this, love all the pictures…..and yes I did see Fall leaves.
Thank you for providing this resource on your website.
Thank-you so much for sharing your tutorial on making realistic gum paste fall leaves! I am going to try some to decorate my panoramic pumpkins.
I appreciate, result in I found exactly what I used to be looking for.
You have ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you
man. Have a nice day. Bye
Absolutely beautiful. Your work and techniques are truly inspiring. Love reading your instructionals and the photos are well taken and super helpful. Thx.
Your leaves are amazing!!! Thank you for this as I am going to make them on my Capuccino Choc cake that I usually put choc leaves on…Love the idea of vodka and I will have to use a little more so I can sip some.
Hello,
I’ve been following this website for quite a few recipes, and I find them quite useful 😀 I’m wondering, though. Is there a possible replacement for vodka in this recipe?