Color Flow Vs. Buttercream

Decorating By bethola Updated 4 Mar 2007 , 3:13pm by hamie

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bethola Posted 3 Mar 2007 , 6:32pm
post #1 of 11

I have a cake in a couple of weeks with a colorflow emblem (HOPEFULLY) and lettering. I haven't really done color flow since my Wilton class. BUT, here's the question:

In doing my research I found a statement that said buttercream will breakdown colorflow and not to put the decorations on until just before the event. Well, this is a SURPRISE birthday party and I plan on the client picking it up on either Friday evening or Sat. morning before the Sat. evening event. I CAN place parchment between the emblem and the cake, but, to do that with the letters would be a total pain!

FINALLY THE QUESTION! Is this a true statement? What have your experiences been with color flow vs. buttercream!

TIA!

Beth in KY

10 replies
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SophieBelle Posted 3 Mar 2007 , 6:51pm
post #2 of 11

hi,

The buttercream will break down the colorflow and ruin it. When I took a Nick Lodge mini-class, he showed us how to apply plaques of any kind to the top of cakes: He suggested a couple of lifesaver candies with royal icing dots built up in the middle as kind of 'feet' for the plaques. These plaques were dried fondant/gumpaste, but it's the same concept. The emblem would be laid right on top of the candies and not touch the buttercream, so they'd be protected.

I'm not sure about the lettering, though.

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bethola Posted 3 Mar 2007 , 7:57pm
post #3 of 11

Thanks SophieBelle! I'll do that! I would think that I could do that with the letters as well (maybe use Certs, Altoids, something a little smaller) and that will give a kind of 3D look to it.

Beth in KY

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missyek Posted 3 Mar 2007 , 10:08pm
post #4 of 11

It really all depends on how long the color flow piece is gong to be on the cake. I have had pieces sit on a cake for a couple of days and depending on the size is what determines which ones get softer first. I have never had one melt away into a pile of goo and be competely ruined. THey just get soft. That is just my experience.

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SQcakes Posted 3 Mar 2007 , 11:01pm
post #5 of 11

I've used color flow a lot and have never had it ruined. Most of the time, I place it directly on the buttercream unless I'm going for a particular look that requires it to be raised.

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SophieBelle Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 2:24am
post #6 of 11

My advice was based on my experience. The colorflow items I made and applied to buttercream frosting absorbed 'grease' from the buttercream and that discolored the colorflow pieces. They looked terrible and I'd hate for anyone else to go to all that trouble just to have something similar happen.

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bethola Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 2:29pm
post #7 of 11

Okay, how about using RI instead? I've only used RI flowers for shower cakes, etc and usually do them the DAY OF the shower.

In this particular case, I think TIME is my enemy! I'm wanting to get this done tomorrow and need to make 2 (breakage factor).

Beth in KY

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ahmommy Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 2:47pm
post #8 of 11

My Wilton instructor said that she uses marshmallows underneath her pieces. That would blend well I think if your icing is white.

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kms2402 Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 2:54pm
post #9 of 11

I've done a couple of color flow designs and I have put them on the day of the event but my stepdaughters baby shower cake hung around the house for at least a day with the design and I had no problem. But if I were you I would take the adding of the "feet" advice just in case. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out

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kms2402 Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 2:56pm
post #10 of 11
Quote:
Originally Posted by SophieBelle

My advice was based on my experience. The colorflow items I made and applied to buttercream frosting absorbed 'grease' from the buttercream and that discolored the colorflow pieces. They looked terrible and I'd hate for anyone else to go to all that trouble just to have something similar happen.




I did have the outline color bleed into the design a bit...is that what causes it? It wasn't bad though, the only person who noticed was me.

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hamie Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 3:13pm
post #11 of 11

When I put colorflow directly on bc, I don't remove the wax paper. I use an exaco knife and cut out the colorflow peice. I have never had a problem with it getting soft, it has to be removed before serving.

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