How to Make Luau Flowers Out of Gum Paste

Frangipani or Plumeria flowers are simple to create.

There are two main types of luau flowers. Each is a five petal flower that is brilliantly colored and creates a vivid tropical scene. When it comes to cakes, creating these luau flowers from gum paste can be tricky as they are very delicate, unlike the real flower. Hibiscus and Plumeria, also called Frangipani are the two most common flowers in Hawaii. Hibiscus is the state flower while Plumeria are the flowers that leis are created from.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Gum paste
• Gum paste tool set
• Leaf cutter
• Gum paste adhesive
• Food dye
• Rolling pin
• Orchid petal template
• Empty egg carton

Instructions

Frangipani or Plumeria Flower

1. Choose a color for your flower. Frangipani or Plumeria flowers are often two-tone flowers and are very brightly colored. Knead no more than two drops at a time of the food coloring into the gum paste until you achieve desired color.

2. Roll out the colored gum paste to 1/4 inch thick using your rolling pin.

3. Cut out five petals for each flower using the leaf cutter. This cutter should have a teardrop shape.

4. Round the pointed edge of each petal in on one side or curl the top down to mimic an actual Frangipani flower. Use your finger to round the bulbous part of the flower into a slightly cupped shape.

5. Place a drop of the gum paste adhesive on the bulbous part of the petal. Adhere one petal to the next, slightly overlapping each to create a star shape.

6. Set the flowers to dry in the empty egg carton. Flowers should remain untouched for a minimum of 24 hours to ensure dryness.

Hibiscus Flowers

1. Select the color you would like to make your Hibiscus flower. These are often bright flowers in yellow, red, pink or orange. Dye the gum paste using two drops of food coloring at a time to achieve desired color.

2. Roll out the the colored gum paste to1/4 inch thick using a rolling pin. Set aside.

3. Dye a pea-size amount of gum paste a bright yellow. Tear small pieces and roll into tiny round balls. Attach these little balls together with gum paste adhesive in a sausage shape to create the flower pistil. The pistil should be no longer than 1/2 inch and should not be thicker than your pinkie. Set aside.

4. Lay your colored gum paste over the top of the orchid petal template. Press the top portion of the template over your gum paste, sandwiching your gum paste between the two templates to create the vines and petal definition you want. Do this five times.

5. Cut the pointed part of the petal off the orchid as well as the extra gum paste with your scissors. Using the rounded ball tool, rumple the top edge of the flower so that it adds definition.

Assembling Hibiscus

1. Wrap the bottom of the first petal around the pistil you created earlier. This will not wrap completely around, which is fine. Apply a drop of gum paste adhesive to adhere the petal to the pistil.

2. Repeat this process for a total of five times. Each petal should overlap the first no more than 1/4 inch.

3. Place the completed Hibiscus flower in the egg carton to dry for 24 hours untouched.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want your flowers to remain mostly white, you can use a paintbrush to paint on color where you want it.

• Apply more adhesive if your petals are not sticking.

• Do not place these flowers in the fridge or they will wilt. The moisture will make the adhesive sweat and no longer stick.

References

• Duskyroseveiners: Hibiscus Tutorial- Learn How to Make a Beautiful Sugar/Gumpaste Hibiscus
• Cakes by Fi: Frangipani Tutorial