Our students ask great questions! Here are the questions (and answers) that come up most often in our Flowers and Cake Design course.
- What do I need to bring to class?
- How long can you keep Royal Icing?
- How long can you keep Royal Icing Flowers?
- How much water do I add to Royal Icing to make it thin?
- What can I do to help keep gum paste colored purple from fading and turning blue?
- Does Meringue Powder need to be refrigerated?
- What can I do to keep the gum paste from sticking in my button Flower Press?
What do I need to bring to class?
For a complete list of what to bring to each class, please refer to our Flower and Cake Design Student Supplies page
How long can you keep Royal Icing?
Royal Icing can be stored in an air-tight, grease-free container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
How long can you keep Royal Icing Flowers?
If stored properly, (in a covered container in a cool dry place) you can keep them for months.
How much water do I add to Royal Icing to make it thin?
Royal Icing is affected by many variables such as humidity, the type of Confectioners’ Sugar used, how long and to what consistency it was beaten, etc., so it is impossible to give you a hard and fast rule for how much water to add to thin it. Our best advice is to stir in water a few drops at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
What can I do to help keep gum paste colored purple from fading and turning blue?
We suggest that you use Neon Purple fondant to color your gum paste; it will also help if you add a pinch of Neon Pink fondant as well. You will have less fading if you color gum paste and fondant using Icing Color. Keep your cake or flowers covered as much as possible before serving and avoid placing it in direct sunlight.
Does Meringue Powder need to be refrigerated?
It is not necessary to refrigerate Meringue Powder, but it can be refrigerated if you prefer.
What can I do to keep the gum paste from sticking in my button Flower Press?
We do not recommend treating the press with anything. The more you use it the easier it will release. Follow the directions on page 9 of the Flowers and Cake Design Lesson Plan. It may help if you if you add a note after the 2nd bullet of the 2nd picture that says, “Let the gum paste rest for a minute or two before proceeding.” Be sure to invert the gum paste so the top, dry side of the gum paste, is on the bottom when positioning over the indented side of the mold.