Sugar Lace Flowers | The Delicate Detail That Elevates Any Cake
Chef Alan TetreaultIn this tutorial: What You'll Need · Method 1: Wired Lace Flower · Method 2: Forming Cup Lace Flower · Coloring and Finishing Options
Lace flowers bring an elegant, delicate look to any cake – and they are surprisingly easy to make. In this tutorial, Chef Alan Tetreault demonstrates two methods for creating stunning lace flowers using lace mats and lace mix: a wired version that can be shaped and arranged with floral tape, and an unwired version made with forming cups that sits directly on the cake. Both techniques open up endless creative possibilities for cake decorators of all skill levels.
What You'll Need
- Crystal Candy lace mat (petal design) – silicone mat with individual petal shapes for creating lace pieces; shop lace mats
- Premix pearlized lace mix – ready-to-use lace mix for filling mats
- 26-gauge floral wire – thin wire embedded in each petal for the wired method
- 24-gauge floral wire – slightly heavier wire used as the flower's center stem
- Floral tape – half-width strips for wrapping and securing petals to the stem
- Stamen – decorative centers wired to the stem before adding petals
- Offset scraper – for spreading lace mix evenly across the mat
- Forming cups – small cups or bowls for shaping unwired lace flowers
- Tylose glue – edible adhesive for layering unwired petals
- Dragees – decorative sugar pearls for flower centers
- Pearl dust (optional) – for adding a pearlized finish to dried petals
Method 1: Wired Lace Flower
↪ Step 1: Fill the Lace Mat with Lace Mix
Spread the premix pearlized lace mix across the petal cavities of the lace mat using an offset scraper. Clean the top surface thoroughly so all the lace openings show through clearly – this is what gives each petal its intricate, lacy pattern.
↪ Step 2: Insert the Wire
Lay a 26-gauge wire across the center of each filled petal so it extends at least two-thirds of the way up. If the wire overlaps into an adjacent petal cavity, gently bend it upward so it stays raised and out of the way.
↪ Step 3: Bake and Apply the Second Coat
Place the mat on a cardboard backing and bake at 175 °F for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, let it cool completely, then apply a second layer of lace mix over the top. This second coat seals the wire securely inside each petal. Allow the petals to air dry for 5–6 hours or overnight, depending on humidity.
💡 Tip: The second coat does not go back in the oven – just let it air dry completely before removing the petals from the mat.
↪ Step 4: Prepare the Stamen Center
Take a few stamen and wrap them around a 24-gauge wire, then twist to secure. The stamen will be floppy at first, so wrap a small piece of floral tape around the very bottom to hold them together and make them more manageable.
↪ Step 5: Wire the Petals Together
Using half-width floral tape, begin attaching petals around the stamen center. Start with the smallest petals – about three for the inner layer. Tape them in place, then add the next size up. Overlap petals as they are added, working in layers:
- Inner layer – 3 small petals
- Middle layer – 5 medium petals, overlapping
- Outer layer – 5 large petals, positioned slightly lower (about a half inch down)
💡 Tip: There is a right side and a wrong side to each lace petal – one side will be flatter than the other. Check each petal before taping it in place.
Finish by wrapping the floral tape all the way down the stem.
↪ Step 6: Shape the Flower
Because each petal has a wire inside, the finished flower can be shaped by hand. Press gently in the center where the wire runs and bend each petal upward to create a natural, open blossom shape.
💡 Tip: For a smaller flower, use all same-size petals and fewer layers. The wired method is flexible – adjust the petal count and sizes to suit the design.
Method 2: Forming Cup Lace Flower (Unwired)
For a simpler approach, use a forming cup to create an unwired lace flower that sits directly on a cake:
- Shape the base layer – Place a large lace petal piece (such as a full five-petal set from the lace mat) into a forming cup or small bowl so it dries with a natural curve.
- Add layers with glue – Brush a small amount of tylose glue in the center and add a smaller lace petal layer on top. Repeat with as many layers as desired.
- Add a center – Apply a dab of tylose glue to the center and place dragees to create a decorative center.
- Dry completely – Allow several hours for all the glue to set before placing the flower on a cake.
💡 Tip: For added dimension, cut a five-petal shape from gum paste, thin the edges, and place it between the outer and inner lace layers. This gives the flower a solid middle layer that matches the petal shape.
Coloring and Finishing Options
There are several ways to add color and shimmer to lace flowers:
- Pre-color the lace mix – Tint the mix before spreading it on the mat
- Use a pearlized lace mix – For a built-in shimmer finish
- Dry brush with pearl dust – Apply luster dust to dried petals for a soft sheen
- Airbrush with pearlized spray – For even, all-over pearl coverage
- Paint with luster dust and alcohol or lemon extract – For more precise color application
This tutorial is part of Global Sugar Art's library of free cake decorating videos by Chef Alan Tetreault. Browse all tutorials →
