I'm making fondant roses right now - they are dark red going on a white anniversary cake. There's lot of powdered sugar on the petals. How do I clean them up once they've dried? With a cake I'd usually use Sharon's method of wiping it over with a paper towel and a little crisco.

Thanks in advance.

Use a soft paint brush to remove the powdered sugar. If the flowers are dry then the brush won't leave any marks.

HTH

Michele

Once you've brushed off the excess icing sugar try steaming them over boiling water - be quick so they dont melt - this will set the sugar and give some shine/life to your flowers. Use this method for old flowers you've stored for a while and it will bring them back to life.

Thanks everyone. I brushed them off and then dipped the edge of my brush in Crisco, wiped off the excess and gave them a quick brush over and they looked great!

I agree with everybody, soft brush and then steam. If you actually use some petal dust and give them some color it would help in getting rid of the powdery finish and giving natural hues to the flowers.
Edna

yes, I agree. I was using regular cheap ones you can buy everywere but I found I was sometimes losing the bristles onto the cake. I went out and bought a high quality paint brush, a super soft one that looks like a makeup loose powder brush and I love it. I don't need to use water or steam and it doesn't leave brush marks. Oh, I also found that my flexible cutting mat, semi opaque plastic not latex, doesn't stick to fondant. And corn starch, I think brushes off easier than powdered sugar. Good luck!

The steam basically is to make the colors more deep and vibrant when you have brush your flowers..
Edna

I didn't start this post, but I want to say thank you to all of the advice. I love every ones tips.

You are all great!

to clean up fondant or gumpaste roses...steam them with a teapot or just a pan of water on the stove....just pass the rose though the steam a few times...not real close to the heat...it will melt the roses.