A Glorious Morning Cake

Step 1

Triple thick cardboard or plywood (24 in. diameter), 26 gauge green florist wire, florist tape, waxed paper, aluminum foil

Step 2

Several days in advance, make the following flowers with royal icing: 15 large morning glories using tips 127, 1 and 2 and 2 1/2 in. lily nail (extended with additional aluminum foil); 15 regular size morning glories using tips 125, 1, and 2 and 1 5/8 in. lily nail and 20 regular size morning glories using tips 104, 1 and 2 and 1 5/8 in. lily nail.

Step 3

Using thinned royal icing in bag fitted with tip 3, pipe a variety of puddles ranging from 1/4 to 1 in. diameter on waxed paper (approximately 300 puddles total). Let dry.

Step 4

Attach leaves to wires with florist tape.

Step 5

To form tendrils, cover additional wires with florist tape and wrap around dowels rods; remove and slightly loosen.

Step 6

Bake and cool 2-layer cakes (for 18 in. half round, bake 4 2 in. high cakes to form one 4 in. high layer).

Step 7

Ice smooth and prepare for stacked construction. Attach puddles randomly on cake with tip 2 dots of icing. Pipe tip 2 top and tip 7 bottom bead borders.

Step 8

Attach flowers in a cascade along side of cake: Insert flower spikes into cake; insert leaves on wires and tendrils into flower spikes.

Step 9

Position ornament.

(Note: Add a small amount of Delphinium Blue to Royal Blue to achieve color used.)