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. – 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! – –
– 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
Aparna says
Haven’t been well, that’s why it took me so long to get here. Your cake looks gorgeous and thanks for the 2 part tutoria;l on how you did it.
You are very creative.
Only wish I could find those gels and stuff in the stores here. 🙁
Carolyn says
Stunning. I am totally in awe. Hope you win!
Hélène says
Your cake is stunning!
L says
These are incredibly beautiful!Wow… just, wow!
Danica says
These are absolutely beautiful. You have so much talent not just in cooking but in creativity Alice! I truly admire your talents!
Jackie says
These are awesome- thanks so much for the tutorial! My recent blog post was also about making decorative fall leaves. Although mine were chocolate vs. gumpaste and looked quite different… http://food-ology.blogspot.com/2009/11/chocolate-leaves.html
I think the chocolate leaves are more “cutesy” while yours take on a level of elegance.
alice says
Hi Luray,
Here is a great article about the differences between the 3.
http://www.gingerbread-house-heaven.com/edible-clay.html
Hope this helps!
Alice
Luray va accommodations says
This is sooo precious! Thank you so much for sharing. I am really confused on what material to use and when (fondant, gumpaste, marzipan, chocolate clay etc….) I would appreciate a clarification from anyone–thanks.
Regards,
Joy says
Lovely cake and thank you for the photos and directions for making the leaves. Your blog is my favorite place for finding excellent recipes and ideas.
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
Your cake is absolutely gorgeous! I am amazed… I wish I had just a fraction of your decorating talent.
Jenny says
These are absolutely gorgeous. I just nominated your blog on Pioneer Woman. I think this is an amazing site.
stephanie says
That cake is so gorgeously decorated! Good luck in the competition!
Thank you also for the tutorial on gum paste leaves. I love the idea of using real leaves for imprinting.
Yael says
Absolutely amazing! I wonder if I could really do that?! I am certainly going to give it a try. Beautiful tutorial, thanks!
Megan Gordon says
Epic post, Alice. I’m blown away by this cake (and those leaves). Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring!
Rebekah says
Holy cow — these are gorgeous! No, this calls for stronger language. @$#@ gorgeous! Amazing.
Gina says
What beautiful leaves and a gorgeous cake!
Zenchef says
I’m impressed. You did an amazing job with the autumn leaves Alice. What a beautiful cake! You need to win this thing so you can come to say hi to me in NY. *Rooting for you!
Janna says
Those are absolutely beautiful!
deeba says
G O R G E O U S Alice…just so so pretty! Lady, I do hope you win!! Love the tutorial LOTS & wish I had a Michaels here. BEE YOO TI FULLY done…it’s everything autumn! xoxo
Memoria says
I know I’m just repeating what everyone is saying, but this is fantastic work. The leaves are truly stunning. Good luck!
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets says
Stunning! They definitely look very realistic. Good luck with the contest.
Lauren says
Wonderful tutorial! These are stunning =D. Love the colours and shapes!
Audax Artifex says
Perfect they look so real I’m very impressed the colours are so natural and thank you for the lession. Nice work. Cheers from Audax in Australia.
Barbara says
These are little works of art! Too beautiful to eat!
Susan @ SGCC says
The cake is absolutely stunning, Alice! I love your Autumn leaves! Thanks so much for sharing them!