How To Make a Garland Cake
Rice paper wrappers give this cake a festive look.
Ryan Liebe
This dramatic decorating trick was inspired by a wedding cake trend. The method is simple: Dip rice paper wrappers in water tinted with food coloring, let them dry overnight, then attach them to your cake. Green is perfect for this garland look, but you can use any color!
Ingredients:
- 12 8- or 9-inch round rice paper wrappers
- Green gel food coloring
- 2 9-inch round cakes
- 5 cups Swiss buttercream or other vanilla frosting
Assembling the Cake:
Ryan Liebe
One day before serving the cake: Cut 3 of the rice paper wrappers into 2 large leaves each; cut the remaining 9 wrappers into 3 smaller leaves each.
Ryan Liebe
Crumple pieces of foil into small logs; arrange on 3 baking sheets (about 8 pieces of foil per baking sheet) for molding the rice paper. Lay parchment over the foil logs.
Ryan Liebe
Fill a medium bowl halfway with warm water; tint with green food coloring. (You can play around with the color intensity; use the rice paper trimmings to test it.) Working with one leaf at a time, submerge the rice paper in the green water for about 10 seconds; the paper should be soft but not falling apart. Transfer to one of the prepared sheet pans, laying the rice paper over the foil mounds. Repeat with the remaining rice paper leaves. Let dry at least 8 hours or overnight.
Trim the top of each cake to make it level. Cut the cakes in half horizontally to make 4 layers. Place 1 layer on a platter; spread about 1/2 cup buttercream on top. Repeat with 2 more cake layers and buttercream, then top with the final cake layer. Spread a thin layer of buttercream on the top and sides of the cake (this is the crumb coat) and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Frost the cake with the remaining buttercream, making it as smooth as possible. Gently remove the dried rice paper leaves from the parchment paper. Starting from the base of the cake, press the leaves into the frosting in an upward sweep across the side and top of the cake, trimming as needed.
For more decorating inspiration, read our guides to making bubble cakes and gravity cakes.
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