Gum Paste and Fondant – Class #1

© Wilton

This week began the third class in the Wilton series of cake decorating.  A course named Gum Paste and Fondant.

At first I was a little confused.  The second class that I started a couple of weeks ago and documented here and here worked with gum paste and fondant as well.  After this class, I figured out the difference.  Flowers and Cake Design is just that… creating flowers in different mediums including fondant and gum paste. 

I know, I’m a genius to have figured that out.

Gum Paste and Fondant also works with some flowers, but goes into the whole list of other things that you can do with these two mediums.  Here is the class lesson plan for this course:

• Gum Paste and Fondant 101
• Bow Loops
• Mum Base, Rose Base
• Carnation Base
• Assembling a Bow
• Tinting Gum Paste and Fondant
• Basic Principles of Floral Cake Design
• Calla Lily
• Rosebud and Rose
• Carnation
• Calyxes and Leaves
• Assembling the Calla Lily
• Daisy
• Mum
• Covering a Cake Board with Fondant
• Elements of Fondant Cake Design
• Creating Geometric Designs Using Cut-Outs, Overlays, and Inlays
• Eyelet, Ruffle, and Ball Borders

What we covered in the first class is in the RED BOLD text.

The great thing is that much of the introductory portion of the class, we already knew from taking the second course in the series and had everything ready to go.

A lot of what we did in the class was to prepare ourselves for next week – making bases for mums, roses and carnations.  The reason we prepared the bases this week was because they need to be completely dry to form the petals and finish the flower.

But don’t think we didn’t accomplish anything.  Look at THIS:

This is a Fondant/Gum Paste Bow with Loops.  I would be completely proud to put this on a cake for a friend or a special occasion.  Relatively speaking, it looks much harder to make than it actually was.  But I’m still going to make myself sore patting myself on the back.

It is assembled in pieces.  You start with the loops and let them dry.  Then you cut out circles and start attaching them with your gum paste glue.  The really hard part comes with cutting out the pieces to be used in the bow.  Wilton has a handy Ribbon Cutter/Embosser that makes it easier, but you still have to get the fondant rolled out to the same thickness and enough to make all of the loops.

Next week, you’ll get to see all the lovely flowers I’ve made with the bases that are currently drying in my kitchen.

Until then… happy decorating!