HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Cherry Almond Cupcake

Friday, February 9, 2024

Vanity Set in Sugar



Supplies
Firm Gumpaste- colored ivory, light pink, deep pink
Fondant roller and Board
Cornstarch
Gum Glue
Ateco Circle Cutters Sizes 2-1/2" and two graduated larger sizes.
( approx 2-7/8", 3-1/4")
3" Craft Mirror
Slim Bamboo Skewer
3" round Garrett Frill cutter
#12 Piping tube
Toothpicks
Styrofoam Board
Scissors
Pme Wheel Cutter or Pizza Cutter
Gold Lustre Dust
Lemon Extract
2 Artist Brushes
Confectioner's Glaze
***
Instructions

Mirror:

Liberally dust your board with cornstarch. Roll out ivory gumpaste about 1/4" thickness and cut with a 3-1/4" Circle Cutter.

Dampen the gumpaste with gumglue and press the mirror into the center of the gumpaste circle.
Set Aside.



Roll ivory gumpaste about 1/8" thickness and cut with garrett frill cutter.

Before removing the frill cutter, use as a guide to center punch holes in the scallops using the #12 piping tube as a cutter. Using a 2-1/2" circle cutter, cut the center out of the frill.


Moisten the edge of the gumpaste around the mirror and carefully lay the scallop around the mirror, stretching gently to cover the outer perimeter of the mirror. Place a 6" square of parchment paper over the mirror and flip upside down. Set on top of styrofoam to dry.
Make a 1" ball from ivory gumpaste. Roll into a 4" long sausage roll.

Using a toothpick, make indentations about 3/4" from each end. Cut the end of the bamboo skewer to make it 5" in length. Moisten with gum glue, and carefully insert around 3" of the skewer into the gumpaste roll, leaving the rest exposed. Flatten the roll by pressing with your fondant roller. Now you have the mirror's handle. Moisten the exposed skewer and the top end of the gumpaste handle with gum glue. Carefully insert into the back of the gumpaste mirror. Allow mirror to set around 8 - 10 hours to dry.

When completely dry, flip mirror over. Clean mirror completely.


Roll out pink gumpaste to 1/8" thickness. Cut a 2-7/8" circle. Using your 2-1/2 circle cutter, cut another circle just inside the other circle, as shown. This makes a thin border strip for the mirror. Dampen the inside of the scalloped edge with gum glue and gently set the pink border strip in place. Set aside.

Rose and Leaves decoration:

Roll out the pink gumpaste very thin. Using the large end of the #12 piping tube, cut 6 circles. Dampen one edge of the circle with gum glue; line up with overlapping sides, as shown. Place a toothpick at the end and roll the first circle around the toothpick, creating the center of the rose. Remove toothpick, and continue to roll the circles around the center. Gently roll back the edges of the "petals" and cut the excess from the bottom of the flower,
using sharp scissors, creating a flat bottom. Set on styrofoam to dry.
Repeat this process four more times to make 5 roses in total.

Roll out a small amount of ivory gumpaste. Using the large end of the #12 piping tube, cut two circles. Then place the tube 1/4" inside circle and cut again, as shown, creating a leaf shape. Make veins in leaves using a toothpick. Pinch ends of the leaves together and set on styrofoam to dry.



Repeat this three more times to make 8 leaves.

Lipstick:

Using a 7/8" ball of deep pink gumpaste,
roll out a sausage about 1/2 in diameter and 3 inches long. Cut horizontally on one end and using a sharp knife or scissors, cut a diagonal on the other end. Lipstick should be about 2-1/2" from tip to end. Insert a toothpick into the bottom center of lipstick and place into styrofoam to dry.

Once the lipstick is dry, clip the end of the toothpick off to extend from end 1/4 inch.
Roll out small amount of ivory gumpaste to a generous 1/4" thickness. Cut a circle using the
the large end of #12 piping tube. Moisten the top of circle with gum glue and set the lipstick in the center of the circle and set aside. Roll out ivory gumpaste to 1/16" thickness, and cut a 1"x 2" rectangle. Dampen top surface of the rectangle with gum glue and roll around the lipstick. Seal and smooth vertical seam. Set aside to dry.

Using gold hi-lighter luster dust mixed with Lemon extract, paint the edges of leaves, the scalloped border on the mirror, and the lipstick holder.
Brush the gumpaste mirror and lipstick with confectioners glaze and allow to dry.
Fasten the leaves and flowers with gum glue to the mirror and lipstick.

Now you have the perfect feminine cake topper for a "girl" of any age!!


NOTE--Remember that although most elements of this topper are made of sugar, this should be for decorative purposes only.




Photos and Tutorial by Jacque Benson- 2009. all rights reserved.
This material is not allowed for reproduction without written permission from the author.
"God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December." ~J M Barrie