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Need help making realistic fall leaves

post #1 of 71
10/7/08 at 7:26am
Thread Starter 
I have an order for a fall themed cake and would like to make some leaves. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make some realistic looking leaves? Thanks!!
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post #2 of 71
10/7/08 at 7:35am
I have a cake in my gallery that I made a few years ago with fall leaves and acorns. I used a leaf cookie cutter, and I dried my gumpaste in a form so it would curl. Then I dusted with different color petal dusts. If there was something I'd do differently, I'd roll the gumpaste thinner so they would look more realistic. HTH
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Stressed spelled backwards is DESSERTS!

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post #3 of 71
10/7/08 at 7:37am
The best way I have found is to tint some fondant in oranges, ivory and light brown, roll it thin.... about a 3 or 4 on the pasta machine and use leaf cookie cutters to cut the shapes.

Let them dry on formers so they will curve and have shape then airbrush them with brown, orange and yellow.

Here is a cake I did quite a while ago with a few leaves and acorns on it. Since this cake, I have started rolling the fondant much thinner.

http://www.smalltownspecialtycakes.com/images/fallbirthda.JPG

HTH
Cris

www.SmallTownSpecialtyCakes.com
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Cris

www.SmallTownSpecialtyCakes.com
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post #4 of 71
10/7/08 at 7:39am
Hi there!
I like to use gumpaste (it rolls out thinner). I make up several balls of different fall colors-burnt red, orange dark yellow, lime green, brown, etc. I will make several of each individual color, and then I will ball up the remainder and roll it out (looks like a tie-dye). Find a good "leaf" shaped cutter and start cutting. You can vein them once you have cut them. If you don't have a veiner, score them gently with a knife to give them their leafy look. I like to scrunch up paper towels and put it in a pan (if I am doing a bunch of leaves) or on a pan. The "dips" in the paper towels give the leaves a realistic curve. You need to work rather quickly 'cause gumpaste dries fast, but it is worth it. If you need to dry them "el rapido" place them in the oven with the oven light on! Put some tape over the over knob-just in case you forget they are in there!!
I hope this helps, they really are quite simple!!
Life is tough....it's tougher when you're stupid!!
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Life is tough....it's tougher when you're stupid!!
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post #5 of 71
10/7/08 at 7:40am
Easy. Edible image. Just print them on wafer paper, cut out, then use a palette knife to put on a bit of gel. You can even gather real leaves, scan them and then print those.
Answers to the most often asked questions re: SPS. SPS instructions are on Page 15 of the Sticky at the top of the Cake Decorating Forum. Supplies can be ordered from Oasis Supply, Global or BakeryCrafts.
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Answers to the most often asked questions re: SPS. SPS instructions are on Page 15 of the Sticky at the top of the Cake Decorating Forum. Supplies can be ordered from Oasis Supply, Global or BakeryCrafts.
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post #6 of 71
10/7/08 at 7:45am
Hi there!
I like to use gumpaste (it rolls out thinner). I make up several balls of different fall colors-burnt red, orange dark yellow, lime green, brown, etc. I will make several of each individual color, and then I will ball up the remainder and roll it out (looks like a tie-dye). Find a good "leaf" shaped cutter and start cutting. You can vein them once you have cut them. If you don't have a veiner, score them gently with a knife to give them their leafy look. I like to scrunch up paper towels and put it in a pan (if I am doing a bunch of leaves) or on a pan. The "dips" in the paper towels give the leaves a realistic curve. You need to work rather quickly 'cause gumpaste dries fast, but it is worth it. If you need to dry them "el rapido" place them in the oven with the oven light on! Put some tape over the over knob-just in case you forget they are in there!!
I hope this helps, they really are quite simple!!
Life is tough....it's tougher when you're stupid!!
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Life is tough....it's tougher when you're stupid!!
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post #7 of 71
10/7/08 at 7:47am
I use gumpaste or a gumpaste/fondant mix, roll thin and place in a veiner. Then let dry in a curvy fashion (over crumpled plastic wrap for example) and dry dust with lustre and petal dusts. Awesome! icon_biggrin.gif
To find "THE RECIPE LINKS ARE HERE" thread, click on "Forums", then "Recipes" and it's the first sticky. Latest updates are on (the bottom of) page 10 here: http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-625803-135.html
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To find "THE RECIPE LINKS ARE HERE" thread, click on "Forums", then "Recipes" and it's the first sticky. Latest updates are on (the bottom of) page 10 here: http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-625803-135.html
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post #8 of 71
10/7/08 at 7:50am
So no one else has used wafer paper? They look real.
Answers to the most often asked questions re: SPS. SPS instructions are on Page 15 of the Sticky at the top of the Cake Decorating Forum. Supplies can be ordered from Oasis Supply, Global or BakeryCrafts.
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Answers to the most often asked questions re: SPS. SPS instructions are on Page 15 of the Sticky at the top of the Cake Decorating Forum. Supplies can be ordered from Oasis Supply, Global or BakeryCrafts.
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post #9 of 71
10/7/08 at 7:50am
i agree with the gumpaste or a mix of fondant with tylose powder. roll thin, vein or score and bend to dry.

but my favorite favorite FAVORITE (with a bit of whimsy feel) is to paint melted chocolate (white or a mix or white and dark, or dark- any) on the back of a silk leaf or a mint/lemon/rose leaf (clean of course) , let set and then peel , and paint with shimmer dust.

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1160987

here are some fondant/tylose leaves. used chocolate fondant,wish i would have started with a beige, not brown. but still nice. i used a silk leaf to make the impression because i did not have a veiner.

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1161179
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post #10 of 71
10/7/08 at 7:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by leahs

So no one else has used wafer paper? They look real.



It's a great suggestion, but not everyone has the resources to print edible images. For me, rolling out some gumpaste is just easier.
Stressed spelled backwards is DESSERTS!

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www.boofycakes.com/blog - Blog
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Stressed spelled backwards is DESSERTS!

www.boofycakes.com
www.boofycakes.com/blog - Blog
www.myspace.com/boofycake
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post #11 of 71
10/7/08 at 8:04am
I'm happy I ran acroos this forum. I am doing my first wedding cake the end of this month, and I plan on putting fall leaves on it. I have never used fondant or gumpaste. I was considering using candy clay or even doing royal icing leaves and just sticking them to the side of the cake. Any suggestions for a beginner?
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post #12 of 71
10/7/08 at 8:13am
I have a wedding cake next weekend with fall leaves!! I used candy clay in red, orange, yellow and apple green. I combine my colors by ripping off pieces of each color and piling them together, then balling them up. I try not to knead them too much. I just used a tin of leaf cutters and my pointy tool to vein them freehand. I had them dry in flower formers generously dusted with powdered sugar. Here they are:
LL
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Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.

www.IndyCakes.com
http://indycakes.blogspot.com/
www.FaceBook.com/IndyCakes
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post #13 of 71
10/7/08 at 8:28am
Even if you don't have an edible image printer, you can purchase them. The are available from "the company that must not be named." icon_smile.gif
Answers to the most often asked questions re: SPS. SPS instructions are on Page 15 of the Sticky at the top of the Cake Decorating Forum. Supplies can be ordered from Oasis Supply, Global or BakeryCrafts.
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Answers to the most often asked questions re: SPS. SPS instructions are on Page 15 of the Sticky at the top of the Cake Decorating Forum. Supplies can be ordered from Oasis Supply, Global or BakeryCrafts.
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post #14 of 71
10/7/08 at 11:27am
I took real leaves and traced them over gumpaste after I got the colors right. The pressure from the real leaves left the veining impression and made them more realistic. I found the trick was rolling the gumpaste very thin. See my link http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1209454
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post #15 of 71
10/7/08 at 11:44am
Thread Starter 
Mylesa,
I love love love your chocolate leaves!! I am wondering how difficult is it to peel the chocolate off? do you peel the leaf off versus the chocolate? how long do you let it set up? Details...I need details:-} thanks!!
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