Welcome back to Trending, our exclusive series where we explore the exciting intersection of contemporary style and confectionery art! We’re thrilled to once again feature our talented contributor, Erica OBrien, the visionary owner of Erica OBrien Cake Design. Each month, Erica invites us into her creative world, demonstrating how she seamlessly translates the hottest trends from fashion, interior design, art, and everyday life into breathtaking, edible cake masterpieces. Join us on this inspiring journey as she moves from initial Pinterest inspiration to a concrete cake concept, a detailed sketch, and finally, the stunning finished design. Our aim is that by peering behind the curtain of her artistic process, you’ll discover a newfound appreciation for inspiration in every corner of the world around you.
For this installment, we’re diving headfirst into not one, but two captivating trends that are making waves: the charming rustic appeal of chalkboard art and the delicate beauty of paper flowers. These seemingly disparate elements come together in a surprisingly cohesive and utterly chic design. Now, let’s hand it over to Erica as she unveils her latest creation and shares the secrets behind its magic.
The Philosophy Behind Edible Elements in Cake Design
When it comes to incorporating non-edible elements into a cake design, I often find myself navigating a fascinating middle ground. The cake decorating community is wonderfully diverse, with some purists insisting that every single component must be edible, while others embrace a more eclectic approach, believing that a few well-placed non-edible accents can elevate a design. My own philosophy tends to lean towards a thoughtful balance. I’ve always been fond of the polished finish that a real silk ribbon can lend to the base of a fondant cake, providing a crisp edge and a luxurious texture that edible alternatives sometimes struggle to replicate perfectly. Similarly, I wouldn’t hesitate to use a beautifully crafted non-edible button or an antique brooch if I feel it genuinely enhances the overall aesthetic and contributes to the narrative of the design. The key, for me, is always whether the chosen element serves to enrich the artistry and concept, rather than simply being a shortcut.
Recently, my artistic eye has been captivated by the pervasive trend of paper flowers. They’re literally everywhere – adorning wedding backdrops, gracing boutique windows, and adding a whimsical touch to home decor. I’ve even experimented with them in a few cake designs, using delicate tissue paper flowers to add lightness and texture. However, for this particular project, I set myself a delightful challenge: to craft an entirely edible rendition of paper flowers. I wanted to achieve that same charming, whimsical, and utterly current aesthetic, but with the added satisfaction and intricate detail that only hand-crafted edible art can provide. The goal was to transform simple fondant into something that evoked the delicate, layered beauty of paper, creating a truly unique and memorable cake that celebrated both artistry and edibility.
Crafting Whimsy: The Allure of Edible Paper Flowers
The journey to create these whimsical, paper-inspired edible flowers began with careful planning and the selection of the right materials. To achieve the delicate, pliable texture reminiscent of paper, we opted for a 50/50 mix – an equal blend of gumpaste and fondant. This combination is truly a decorator’s secret weapon, offering the flexibility and smooth rolling properties of fondant while providing the enhanced strength and quick-drying characteristics of gumpaste. This makes it ideal for crafting intricate elements that need to hold their shape once formed.
Step-by-Step: Creating Delicate Fondant Flowers
Our process for creating these charming blooms was surprisingly straightforward, yet yielded incredibly detailed results. We began by making simple cuts using a variety of flower cutters, selecting different sizes and petal shapes to add variety and realism to our floral arrangement. The true artistry came in the layering and shaping. Each petal and flower component was meticulously layered, one upon the other, building dimension and creating a sense of depth that mimics natural blossoms. Once layered, we carefully shaped them, gently bending and ruffling edges, and subtly curving petals to give them a natural, organic flow. These delicate pieces were then set aside to dry, allowing them to firm up and permanently hold their sculpted forms.
A particular highlight was the coral zinnia-inspired flower, which featured a delightful small scallop along its edges. To achieve this unique detail, we first cut perfect rounds from our 50/50 gumpaste and fondant blend. Then, with precision and a steady hand, we utilized a scalloped scrapbook scissors – an unconventional but highly effective tool – to create the intricate, delicate scallops around the perimeter of each round. This technique imparted a distinctive texture and a handcrafted feel that truly brought the zinnia to life.
No floral arrangement is complete without lush foliage. The leaves for our design were cut entirely by hand, allowing for an organic, slightly irregular shape that enhances their natural appeal. To infuse the arrangement with even greater realism and visual interest, we layered these hand-cut leaves, utilizing different shades of green fondant. This technique adds incredible depth and dimension, creating a rich tapestry of color and texture that beautifully complements the vibrant flowers.
The Art of the Chalkboard: A Modern Twist on Cake Decor
To perfectly complement the deeper, richer tones present in our vibrant edible flowers and lush green leaves, we chose to incorporate a sophisticated chalkboard monogram. The chalkboard aesthetic has exploded in popularity, offering a blend of nostalgic charm and modern, minimalist chic. It provides a striking contrast and a visually interesting texture against the smooth fondant finish of the cake. This element doesn’t just add a decorative touch; it also allows for personalized messaging, making the cake truly unique and memorable for any special occasion.
Step-by-Step: Mastering the Edible Chalkboard Monogram
Creating an edible chalkboard effect is simpler than one might imagine, yet incredibly effective. The foundation begins with high-quality black fondant, rolled out thinly and smoothly. Precision is key here to achieve a perfectly flat, even surface that mimics a real chalkboard. Once rolled, the black fondant was carefully laid onto a flat surface, ensuring there were no air bubbles or imperfections that could detract from the final look. We gently smoothed it into place, preparing our canvas for the ‘chalk’ art.
For the ‘chalk’ itself, we turned to a clever decorator’s trick: mixing white petal dust with a small amount of clear vodka. Petal dust, a finely milled edible powder, provides the perfect matte, opaque finish characteristic of chalk. The vodka acts as a solvent, creating a paintable consistency that evaporates quickly, leaving behind a crisp, chalky effect without diluting the fondant beneath. We carefully mixed these two ingredients to achieve a smooth, slightly thick paint. Using a fine-tipped brush, we then meticulously painted the desired monogram onto our black fondant chalkboard. The slightly uneven, painterly strokes inherent in this technique further enhanced the authentic chalkboard appearance, giving it that genuine hand-drawn feel. This technique can be extended to include dates, short quotes, or even small illustrative elements, truly personalizing the cake’s message.
Bringing It All Together: A Harmonious Design
The synergy between the vibrant, delicate edible paper flowers and the sophisticated, grounding chalkboard monogram truly defines this cake’s unique charm. Each element, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, contributes to a harmonious and visually captivating design. The lush bouquet of coral, peach, and soft pink flowers, intertwined with varying shades of green foliage, creates a focal point of organic beauty. This natural softness is then beautifully contrasted by the bold, graphic statement of the chalkboard, which anchors the entire composition and adds a touch of modern elegance. The balance of textures – the smooth, matte surface of the chalkboard against the sculpted, layered petals – adds another layer of intrigue, inviting the viewer to appreciate the artistry from every angle.
To present this artistic creation in its full glory, the cake is proudly displayed on our exquisite 12″ Painted Flowers Cake Stand in Vintage Green. This stand, carefully chosen to complement the cake’s palette and theme, is available for purchase in our online shop, offering the perfect foundation for any celebration. The vintage green hue of the stand subtly echoes the green in the edible leaves, pulling the entire design together into a cohesive and visually stunning package.
This project beautifully illustrates the core mission of our Trending series: to inspire you to seek out beauty and creativity in the most unexpected places. Whether it’s a pattern on a dress, a color palette in a painting, or a decorative element in a shop window, the world is brimming with ideas waiting to be translated into your next edible masterpiece. We hope this insider look into the creation of our chalkboard and edible paper flower cake has sparked your imagination and encouraged you to explore new horizons in your own creative endeavors. Stay tuned next month for more trending inspiration!
Vendors & Credits
Cake Design and Execution : Erica OBrien Cake Design
Featured Cake Stand : Thoughtfully Curated Cake Stands by Erica OBrien
Inspiration Image for Paper Flowers : Rifle Paper Co.
Inspiration Image for Chalkboard Monogram : Lily and Val