Guys, have you ever wondered how to frost a rose? You have? Me too! I recently discovered cakes and cupcakes covered in the most glamorous pink roses at Alina’s Patisserie in Connecticut. Several weeks ago, I was collaborating with Alina on a Red Carpet Cupcake for my series on “How to host a Fabulous Academy Awards Party.” When I saw her cakes frosted with roses I became totally obsessed with learning how to master that technique. I’m excited to begin incorporating short video clips in my blog, and I’ve included a 10-second video clip below that shows you how to form a perfect buttercream rose. Here are some tips on achieving a perfect rose:

When forming your roses, keep in mind that you want to make the shape of a lowercase letter “e.” You’ll want to maintain consistent pressure on the piping bag until you are about three-fourths through shaping the “e.” Then, you’ll release the pressure on the piping bag while continuing to finish the “e.” This gives it an end that trails off and makes it look finished. You will want to make the rose in one motion, so I recommend that you practice the technique until you feel confident. If you remember that you are just making the shape of a lowercase “e” it is not that intimidating – let the icing tip do the work. The great thing about buttercream icing is that you can use it again and again. Just refill the piping bag with the practice rounds. If the icing gets too soft and doesn’t hold the shape of the rose, put it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes until it hardens a bit.

• Begin with a basic buttercream icing, here is a recipe
• Insert a 1M Wilton tip into a piping bag that is about halfway full with room temperature buttercream icing
• Twist the end of the piping bag and wrap the twisted end around your index finger and hold the piping bag in the palm of your hand
• Squeeze the piping bag and pull up slightly to form the center “bud” and then immediately start making the letter “e” remembering to release pressure on the piping bag when you are almost finished with shaping the end of the letter

Alina graciously allowed me to video her frosting a perfect rose. To re-play the video, click on the circle with the arrow on the lower left.

P.S. The “howler monkey” you hear in the background is my daughter. This is what happens when you give your 4 year-old multiple cookies to keep her busy while you shoot video for your blog. Sugar high.

Here is the birthday cake that Alina made for Catherine with lavender buttercream roses.

Here is Alina’s Rose Cake that I fell in love with.

If you want to make a cake exactly like this, here is a link to a professionally made video on how to decorate an entire cake in buttercream roses using an ombre effect.