Let’s be real— flowers make everything better, and cake is no exception. Whatever your vibe is, if you’re putting flowers on your cake, the right floral decorations can take your cake from nice to goes-viral-on-Pinterest.
But! Not all cake flowers are the same. They have all kinds of differences, from the designs you can make with them to the amount of humanity they can withstand! The three main types of flowers I’m talking about today are…
- Sugar Flowers
- Royal Icing Flowers
- Butttercream Flowers
- (and a quick shoutout to Fresh Flowers)
These types of flowers have their own unique magic they can bring to the table (or rather… the cake stand 🤭). Understanding the differences can help you decide on your next cake design!
So, whether you’re a pro baker or just here to impress your friends with your piping skills, I want this blog post to inspire you and encourage you to decorate your cakes with all the flowers! 😉
And if we haven’t met yet— hiiii!! I’m Kelsie, the sugar artist behind Sugar Flowers by Kelsie Cakes. I’ve been elbows-deep in butter, fondant, and sugar my whole life, and a business owner since 2015.
Now, I help wedding cake decorators, event planners, and engaged couples take their cakes to the next level with artisan-crafted luxury sugar flowers that look stunning, ship safely, and save you from last-minute cake flower panic.
Whether you’re here to up your cake game, or just drool over some gorgeous cakes and flowers, you’re in the right place. Let’s learn something new together!
Part 1: Sugar Flowers – The Most Realistic Wedding Cake Blooms
Elegant, lifelike, and timeless— why sugar flowers are the go-to for luxury cakes.
What Are Sugar Flowers?
Sugar Flowers are my bread and butter. They’re made out of gumpaste (an edible clay that dries rock hard and is shelf stable) and look the most life-like.
Read More – Check out the “What is gumpaste?” blog post
Sugar flowers take a lot of time, specialized tools, and carefully practiced techniques to create all those natured-inspired details!
Sugar flowers are popular for wedding cakes because of their life-like nature and durability. Unlike fresh flowers, which could wilt on the cake as the reception goes on, Sugar Flowers are made to withstand the conditions of being displayed on a cake.
Why Are Sugar Flowers Perfect for Wedding Cakes?
🌟 Unmatched Realism: The closest thing to fresh flowers without the wilting
🌟 Durability: Holds up in heat, humidity, and travel— unlike buttercream or fresh flowers
🌟 Customization: Any color, any flower, any season— your imagination is the only limit!
Can You Keep Sugar Flowers as a Wedding Keepsake?
– Yes!! Unlike fresh flowers, sugar flowers can last for years if stored properly. You can display them in shadow boxes or glass cases after the wedding!
- Click here to Download my quick checklist on how to display & preserve your sugar flowers!
Why I Love Making Sugar Flowers (And Where to Get Yours!)
– At Sugar Flowers by Kelsie Cakes, I specialize in crafting high-quality, handmade sugar flowers for cake decorators, event planners, and engaged couples. I love the beauty, inspiration from nature, getting to “play” with sugar, and ending up with something beautiful and meaningful to add to your celebrations and milestones.
My flowers are designed to be easy to use, ship safely, and look stunning on any cake. Whether you need a single statement bloom or a full floral arrangement, I’ve got you covered!
What About Wafer Paper Flowers?
Similar to gumpaste flowers but also completely different, wafer paper flowers are much more delicate, lighter, and ethereal looking than gumpaste.
“Wafer paper is a sheet of edible paper, typically starch-based. Most wafer paper I’ve worked with contains potato starch, water, and vegetable oil. “ – Chef Anna at Florea Cakes
Pro Tip If you’re interested in learning how to make wafer paper flowers, please check out the classes and tutorials at Florea Cakes!
Where to buy pre-made wafer paper flowers?
These Etsy shops sell wafer paper flowers, so check them out and let them know KelsieCakes sent you!
Part 2: Royal Icing Flowers— A Classic Cake Decorating Staple
Delicate, detailed, and crisp—perfect for traditional and intricate designs.
Royal icing flowers have been a staple in cake decoration for, like, centuries at this point.
They’re made from egg whites and confectioners’ sugar, and it dries hard, so you can pipe them onto cookies for transportation or make thousands of tiny royal icing roses to be carefully placed on a giant tiered wedding cake fit for a princess.
These flowers are typically piped onto parchment, left to dry, then peeled off and placed on wet royal icing to attach them to desserts.
Royal icing flowers are perfect for those who appreciate traditional cake-decorating techniques. They provide a crisp, clean look and are ideal for creating detailed borders and accents. While they may lack the realism of sugar flowers (for the most part, see next section!!), their charm lies in their simplicity and versatility.
🎉 Fun Fact! Royal icing is called ‘royal’ icing because it was used to cover and decorate Queen Victoria’s wedding cake in the 1800s. (Source)
Royal Icing Flowers are also popular on cookies!
If you’re interested in how gorgeous royal icing flowers can be on cookies, you must check out Anna Oliinyk’s cookie flower classes!
I met Anna at the American Cake Awards in 2023, and she is the sweetest person with the most incredible talent!
Where to buy royal icing flowers
Part 3: Buttercream Flowers— The Dreamy, Delicious Favorite
Soft, creamy, and oh-so-tasty—ideal for a romantic, textured look.
Buttercream flowers, aka: What you think of when you think of cake flowers.
Buttercream flowers are usually piped directly onto the cake (or a flower nail, then attached to the cake right away) and don’t harden up like royal icing. Buttercream is incredibly versatile, allowing for a wide range of colors and styles, from rustic and romantic to vibrant and bold.
These flowers are perfect for those who really really love icing (aka, not my mom). While they don’t have the same durability as sugar or royal icing flowers, they’re still a classic and always a favorite for birthdays!
Why Buttercream Flowers Are a Grocery Store Staple
You might notice as you browse your local grocery store’s bakery that all the cakes are decorated with balloons or roses. Why? Well, they’re fast to make and can be ‘standardized’ by big chains looking to maximize profits (while minimizing creativity… I might be a bit biased after my experience working as a grocery store cake decorator for a few years).
Not All Buttercream Is Created Equal: Types of Buttercream Explained
And just like there are different kinds of gumpaste, there are different kinds of buttercream! I hope to do a longer blog post breaking this down more specifically in the future, but for now, here’s a quick run down;
– American Buttercream: Sweet, crusting, easy to work with, probably what you’re picturing right now when you think of buttercream roses and balloons lol
– Swiss Meringue Buttercream: Silky, smooth, elegant, not too sweet
– Italian Meringue Buttercream: Stable, not too sweet, great for piping, triggers my daughter’s egg allergies 🙁
– French Buttercream: Rich and creamy, but too soft for detailed flowers
Buttercream Flowers Must Be Made Fresh— No Advance Prep
– Buttercream flowers must be piped directly onto the cake or a flower nail when the cake is ready
– You can freeze buttercream flowers to plop on the cake for later but the longer they’re frozen, the more condensation and freezer burn can cause the flowers to melt when they defrost
– For clients who give me inspiration photos of buttercream flowers, I’m able to create a similar vibe with sugar flowers!
Which Type of Cake Flowers Should You Choose?
Sugar, royal icing, or buttercream? Here’s how to pick the right one for your cake.
Deciding between sugar, royal icing, and buttercream flowers depends on several factors, including the occasion, climate, and your ideal aesthetic.
For formal events or when realism is key, sugar flowers are the way to go. They offer a sophisticated touch that can elevate any cake design.
If you’re looking for a classic, vintage look, royal icing flowers are an excellent choice. They provide a crisp finish and are ideal for creating intricate details.
For those who prioritize the taste and lots of sugary sweetness, buttercream flowers will give you a delightful, edible (and maybe a little messy) experience.
What About Fresh Flowers?
This section is best answered by sending you to two of my popular blog posts!
What About Pressed or Sugared Flowers?
Fresh, pressed flowers (like pansies) are a really popular and trendy alternative for a natural, rustic look.
If you’re going to order pressed flowers for your cake, be sure you check for “Food Safe” pressed flowers!
Check out Avis Florals and Gifts Etsy Shop in Carmel, Indiana
Or Bloom Frame Studio in Australia
Read This Next
Thanks for reading! You might like these blog posts to read next!
- Sugar Flowers Terminology + Definitions
- What is gumpaste?
- Fresh Flowers for Cakes: Good Idea or Terrible Idea?
- Don’t Use Sugar Flowers in these 4 Situations
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