I have seen a lot of people do decoration where the decoration is on the end of a wire and then it is placed in the cake. I was wondering isn't this dangerous? Can't the wires rust? I see it done on Ace of Cake all the time where they are interviewing them you see the cakes in the backgroud with this decoration. How do they do this? Thanks Jen

people have different opinions on this. I place the flowers at most the day before I send a cake out. Not sure how it could rust in that short a time. If it did, I don't see it doing any harm. Not to mention the wires I use are covered with cotton webbing and then wrapped with floral tape. Some people don't agree - but to each his or her own. you have to do what you feel comfortable with.

They either cover the wire with tinfoil, fondant, or saran wrap. The wires don't go into a cake uncovered~

I do put wires into my cakes uncovered, but I will ONLY use Stainless Steel wire. I stocked up when the company I used to work for went out of business (custom stainless steel company) But There are a couple of other places around here that I can get it from.

I will wash it and then boil it to make sure it is sanitized b/c I don't know where it was before I got it. But it is food safe so I just make sure to get it sanitized.

The wire used in my cake is placed the day of the party, usually at the party... it is also wire that I get from the floral section which is wrapped in a white twine... I have had the same concerns about dowels.. you know when you sharpen them to puncture your boards... but I have yet to have a complaint or problem with my decorations or connection methods.. hope that helps!

can use the coffee stirrers that look like little straws.

put it in cake and then slip wire inside it.

I love the coffee stirrer idea!! I just did a cake that went out this weekend. I did the fondant flowers on wire. I was wondering if that was a problem just putting the wire (covered floral wire) into the cake. I personally would not have a problem eating this but someone else might. I'll definately use coffee stirrers next time......THANKS DOUG!

Another concern with putting wired flowers directly into the cake is in the unlikely event the gumpaste flower should fall off
or be knocked off, there would remain a wire in the cake which may
not be visible. It doesn't seem likely but something to consider.

I have also been curious how the gumpaste flowers are placed in cakes where the entire top is covered with arranged flowers. For example, in cakes simulating a basket full of flowers. Are these placed directly into the underlying cake or into a thin dummy cake which is then placed
on top of the cake.

I'll have to try the coffee stirrers trick...here all along I have just been using regular straws....duh!!! Well, I guess that regular straws are good for when you have more than one wire, huh?

Nice tip, Doug!!!

I just did a cake saturday which had a huge bouqet of gumpaste roses on it- I used a1/2 round of styrofoam and covered the bottom w/ gumpaste and stuck the wired flowers into that-it worked like a charm Plus they can keep the "topper" for ever-got the idea on CC can't remember who from but all credit to them(sorry)
on individual wires, I
always use coffee stirers -plus that helps to keep the cake from tearing w/ heavier decorations -have heard of dipping in chocolate as well

Great tip using the coffee stirrirs - thanks!!!

In Australia it's illegal to put wires directly into a cake. Not because they could rust but because of potential contamination from small pieces of wire that may be broken or cut during the serving of the cake.
Now, that being said, a lot of people do stick wires straight into the cakes, even thought they know they aren't supposed to and I've not heard of anyone getting sick or anyone getting sued either.
I always use a flower pick if i make a spray of flowers, or I will put a ball of fondant on top of the cake on it's own board and insert the wires into that.
I don't know how dangerous it is to put wires directly into a cake, I just know that I don't want to be the first person to kill someone at a wedding because they choked on a piece of wire, when I could've just used a flower pick.

I just put gumpaste flowers on a cake for the first time this past week and I was wondering about how safe it was with the floral wire. Great idea about the coffee stirs. I'll have to get some too for the future!

I can tell you for sure that if it is not stainless steel it can rust in as little as a few hours if it is in the right environment, just take your iron skillet and put it in your water and then set it out over night and see what heppens. If I am going to use a wire I will use stainless wire, no if and buts about it.

a girl i just did a cake for told of a friends wedding that had pieces of wire in the cake and it was horrible-although i would have to think that whoever cut it must share a little respos. for that- but how horrible that must've been