Discover the classic craft of buttercream flowers and turn humble cupcakes into breathtaking edible masterpieces. Perfect for budding bakers wanting to grow their talents, creative minds searching for a fulfilling new pastime, or anyone wishing to make a heartfelt handmade gift, this welcoming workshop is your ideal first step. Let go of any worries about intricate piping, our experienced teacher will support you through each technique in a friendly, interactive setting.

During this engaging class, you’ll build a solid foundation in piping by crafting three sophisticated, nature-inspired buttercream blooms. You’ll practice the flowing motion of a two-toned rosette, the soft fullness of a hydrangea cluster and the detailed petals of a scabiosa. We focus on hands-on learning, and all professional tools, including piping bags, tips, freshly baked cupcakes, and richly coloured buttercream, will be ready for you.

Walk away with more than just new skills – leave with a sweet reward for your efforts. At the end of the session, you’ll pack up six of your own exquisitely decorated cupcakes to take home, ideal for gifting or savouring yourself. Join us for a delightful experience where creativity, confection, and community blossom together.

Course Outline:

Welcome & Introduction:

• Greetings and overview of the day’s objectives
• Introduction to tools and materials: buttercream consistency, piping bags, and couplers

Fundamental Piping Techniques:

• Proper bag holding and positioning techniques
• Mastering pressure control and guiding movement for consistent results

Floral Piping Instruction & Hands-On Practice:

• The Two-Tone Rosette: Learning the continuous swirl technique with two-colour buttercream
• The Hydrangea: Creating delicate, clustered petals for a full, floral effect
• The Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower): Piping intricate filaments to achieve a textural, botanical look

Finishing & Presentation Techniques:

• Learning how to add complementary leaves and accents
• Professional tips for arranging multiple flowers on a single cupcake
• Guidance on properly boxing your creations for transport

Q&A Session & Conclusion:

• Open floor for questions and troubleshooting
• Participants receive a take-home box with their six decorated cupcakes

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate proper handling and control of a piping bag, including pressure consistency and guiding techniques
• Prepare and utilise two-toned buttercream effectively within a piping bag to create colour-blended floral effects
• Execute the specific piping techniques for creating four distinct buttercream flowers: the two-tone rosette, hydrangea and rose
• Apply foundational design principles to arrange and compose multiple floral elements attractively on a cupcake
• Identify and troubleshoot common issues such as buttercream consistency and petal definition
• Confidently replicate the skills learned to continue decorating at home for personal enjoyment or gifting

What to bring:

Each student needs to bring the following:

• at least 3 x spatulas
• offset spatula (if you have one)
• 3 x mixing bowls
• scissors
• apron
• Tea towel
• All other materials will be supplied for in class use

About the tutor:

'Felicia is the founder and creative force behind Sweet Alara, a boutique bakery celebrated for its exquisite buttercream florals. A self-taught artist and a four-time Finalist for the Sutherland Local Business Award, she first launched her signature edible bouquets during the COVID-19 lockdowns, bringing a unique sense of joy and connection to her community.

Through dedicated practice, she has honed her craft to become the go-to expert for intricate buttercream flowers. Felicia is now trusted to create stunning, edible centrepieces for weddings, engagements, and baby showers, and brings her talents to corporate teams through engaging staff workshops. Renowned for her artistry within the local baking community, she is excited to share her proven techniques with you in this hands-on class.'

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.