Article by Sophie Graham
Gardenias, in nature, have a fresh calming fragrance. Interestingly enough, they have been used in Chinese medicine to treat anxiety and depression, as well as the common cold. Part of the coffee family, the gardenia fragrance has a blissful effect on those who purchase and cultivate them. The name literally means, “garden flower.”
Occasions which most often call for gardenias are weddings and Mother’s Day. They are symbolic of secret love, purity, joy, femininity, and artistic talent. In weddings, gardenias are often woven together into a bracelet or bouquet. Many also pin them to garments for a Victorian feel.
For Mother’s Day, gardenias are symbolic of the spirit of motherhood, and are pinned or worn as a corsage for daughters whose mothers have passed away. In this case, the flower represents the spirit, femininity, and grace of our ancestors.
To receive a gardenia as a gift may represent a secret admirer telling you that, “you are lovely.” Certainly the gardenia–with its fragrance and beauty–easily represents that which is lovely.
A basic gardenia is easy to make out of gum paste. Kids can enjoy making them as well as adults.
To make a gum paste gardenia, you will need:A flower cookie cutterWaxed paperA knife or pizza cutterA v-shaped glass
Steps to make a gum paste gardenia:
Roll out gum paste and cut out a basic pattern with your floral cookie cutter. The floral cookie cutter I use has ten petals around the outside, but this is not required.
Slice inward toward the center of the flower with a knife or pizza cutter. These slices should be small to keep the center of the flower intact.
Line a v-shaped glass with waxed paper. Rest your floral cut-out in the v-shaped glass.
Roll out additional gum paste and use your floral cookie cutter again. This time, slice your cut-out in half. Slice inward once again, this time producing a series of three small hearts.Press two hearts into the center of your flower. Then, press the final heart into the center of those petals.
Pinch the edge of the petals to give a more delicate look. Allow your flower to dry, then, place on top of a cake or cupcake.
Gardenias are white, but there is no reason why you could not branch out and make them different colors in making them with your kids. They look very much like a flattened rose. To make a rose, use a v-shaped glass that is smaller and steeper.
Your kids will love how easy it is to make these flowers, you will love how beautiful they look on a cake!
Sophie Graham is the owner of Cake Decorating with Kids. She has been a baking and cake decorating enthusiast since she was a kid herself. She is the writer and owner of: http://www.CakeDecoratingWithKids.com.
Sophie’s website focuses on gum paste and marzipan creations as a family fun cake decorating activity. She offers a FREE newsletter with a wonderful marzipan recipe, and many other valuable tips.
For additional information and visuals, click: gum paste gardenia.