Hey friends! Today I'm sharing a some details on this Twigs or Strings Texture Buttercream Wedding Cake. I say twig or strings because I have no idea what to call it. I asked here on Facebook and got so many great suggestions, but there was no agreement.
Some said twigs. Others said branches. Then there was strings, netting, webbing, vines, crosshatches, and more.
More than three years ago I did another wedding cake with the same technique and when looking for the picture on my hard drive, I discovered that I called it "strings" back then. Here's a picture from way back...
The lighting was terrible in that home, but you get the idea. Very similiar designs!
Whatever you want to call it, the final look is really beautiful. It's elegant and simple, yet pretty unique. I haven't seen a lot of this technique out there.
Also, it was a simple design and fairly easy to execute. Or it was for me. But I know easy is a relative term.
Twigs or Strings Texture Buttercream Wedding Cake
Having said that, it was not a fast technique. The final piping texture took around two hours (after it was filled and frosted, smoothed and stacked).
Start to finish (not including baking) took approximately four hours. That includes filling, frosting, crumb-coating, final coating, doweling and stacking ... then decorating.
This cake had 5 tiers - sizes 4", 7", 10", 13", and 16". Servings totaled 225.
It was White Almond Sour Cream Cake (aka Wedding Cake) with Raspberry filling and Vanilla Buttercream. Here's what the mother-of-the-bride texted me after the weekend:
Nothing will make you happier (as a cake decorator) than getting a text like that!!
I don't have a tutorial for video for you, but I can tell you what I did. Here's what you'll need for the texture:
Tools List:
Here's a list of all the supplies I used to do the technique:
- Piping bags
- Small round tip (#4) (and coupler if applicable)
- Small offset spatula
- Bench Scraper
You'll also obviously need cake rounds and bubble tea straws (or whatever system you use for stacking a tiered cake). Then fill and frost and stack the cake. I did a smooth buttercream finish with a bench scraper.
Then I started at the top and worked my way down piping the twigs. One important thing to note is that you need the frosting that you're going to pipe the strings (or twigs) with to be pretty soft. It was softer than I usually use to cover cakes, but that made piping the strings easier. If the frosting is too stiff, it won't adhere well and it will break while you're piping.
Anyway... I piped long stretches of strings first, then went back and piped smaller branches or twigs to connect them and make the webbed look. Then I chilled it again before setting out to make the delivery.
On site, the florist added the pink roses.
And that's that! There was no rhyme or rhythm to my piping other than occassionally backing up to make sure it was somewhat uniform.
So, do you have any questions? Leave me a comment!
Barb
I would call it garden lattice or rustic lattice
Caroline
Yes, lattice! That’s the word I was thinking too! Rustic lattice is a perfect way to describe this :). Or maybe lattice lace, because it looks a lot like lace to me.
Rose, can you please do a video of this or some step by step pics next time? I would LOVE to try this out; this cake looks beautiful! Gorgeous job!
Necia
Rose, my suggestion for the cake would be “Twiglets.” My dear father used to call the small twigs he gathered to start his fireplace fires “Twiglets.” When looking at this beautiful cake it reminded me of him and the word he used. Thank you so much for your blog and the recipes and all. I bake gluten free and have easily converted them.
Rose
What a sweet memory! Thanks Necia!
Michele White
The first thing I thought of when I saw this beautiful cake was a ball of yarn tha got unravelled, so I’d called strings. Michele
Rose
Thanks Michele!
Vicki
Sweet strings!
Rose
Thanks!
James
Very beautiful cake Rose as always!!! Could you show us beginners the proper way to stack a tiered cake (3, 4, 5). There are a lot of videos out there showing different ways. I trust your way.
Thanks Rose
PS: Love your blog
Rose
I've been DYING to shoot a video of me stacking a cake. I just don't have the kitchen set up for it yet. Soon, I hope. Very soon! And thank you for your sweet compliments!
Fabiola
Hi Rose!!
I love ❤️ this cake! You’re awesome!
I liked the Rustic Lattice name suggestion, sounds very appropriate for a wedding.
Rose
Thanks Fobiola!
Dianne S
Grapevine come to my mind . I think it needs a classier name . As it’s a very lovely classy looking cake
Julie Knebel
Rose can you post some really good gluten free recipies? Including a conversion of your almond white sour cream cake which is yummy!
Rose
Unfortunately I know NOTHING about gluten free baking. I'm sorry.
Christine Helman
Beautiful! You called it in your description! I'd call it webbing also!
Rose
Thanks!
J
I think rustic lattice sounds like a great name for a wedding cake Rose cuz it sounds professional. You did a beautiful job decorating this cake!
Have a great weekend with your family!