Did you know that the Rose is the National Flower?
Did you know I just made that up so that a Patriotic Rose Cake would seem more natural?
A very smart reader, Lisa, shared this (thanks Lisa!) :
“The rose was designated the official flower and floral emblem of the United States of America in 1986″
People have been asking for over a year now for a video tutorial for the Rose Cake. After posting the Neapolitan Rose Cake a week ago and getting a few more requests, I finally did it!
While I will probably still refer folks to my original tutorial, this little video shows you a couple fun things:
1. How to make it with different colors. (So this will apply to the Neapolitan Cake as well as any Ombre effect you might desire)
2. Just how quick and easy it is.
This video is mostly in real time. You really truly can frost a cake like this in less than 10 minutes. And if you are making all one color it is even quicker.
As you can tell, I made this cake in honor of patriotism… Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Veterans Day, Flag Day, an Inauguration, basically any occasion that red white and blue is appropriate!
How I prepare to frost a Rose Cake:
I get all my frosting’s ready and place in plastic disposable pastry bags.
I then prepare a bag with a 1M tip in it for every color I am using. Here I used three colors, so I had three bags ready. You can go through a lot of frosting making those roses, and its good to have an extra bag ready to switch out.
Also, I really didn’t do a crumb coat. I have done it with and without a crumb coat and find they both work. The reason I can get away with not doing a crumb coat is because I tend to squish my roses together to avoid any dead space.
When making the bottom layer of blue roses around the cake, I tried to stop applying pressure at the top my my rose, where the next layer would be covering. Then simply go right over that edge on your next row. Overlapping is a very good thing with this cake!
As you can see in the video, I went fast and didn’t worry about perfection with each individual rosette.
If you didnt like how one of your roses looked, simply wipe it off the cake and re-pipe it. Easy peasy! 
There is no editing (other than exposure/color) done to the pictures I have posted. (The pictures were actually taken with my phone.) Its the same cake in the pictures and video.
The ending cake is still pretty good, even though you saw many errors throughout the video. That is just a testimony to how forgiving the Rose Technique is!
A few have asked, so here is a link to the gel food coloring I use to achieve such deep colors! I use a lot so typically buy the largest size they offer. (link is to a smaller size)
Ateco Tulip Red (Sugarbelle has a whole post on this!)
A big special thanks to Kirk from Interactive Business Solutions for filming and editing this tutorial. You (and your beautiful family) are the best!
you make it look even easier now that I can SEE the video!!
just beautiful
Yay!! Thanks so much sweet Chery!
I bet this would be the *star* at every Fourth of July party!!!
Love the video too!
Thank you so much sweety!! I think about you all the time, hope you are feeling great!
What do you use to get your red so pretty? I use Americolor Super Red and still find that it takes so much to get that color that it taste yucky
Your cake is beautiful, as always!
Just posted a link above!
OK…I think I can DO this now!!! You may have changed my life, Amanda!
Loved, loved seeing “the” rose cake come to life in the video. Just awesome!!!
Oh girl.. you are too sweet!! Thank you so much!
Amanda, this is beautiful. I have been using your rose technique and have made a few beautiful cakes with it. I wish I could tag them to your facebook profile, but I have no idea how to do it
I have one question. What coloring did you use to get your blue and red so dark? I can never get my colors that deep. Thanks for all your beautiful creations!!
Am adding a link to the post now!
What kind of coloring do you use? I find that most coloring taste bad especially the red.
I use Ateco or Americolor Tulip Red… I think Sugarbelle (Callye) also has a tutorial about that on her blog!
And you wonder why I stalk your blog
LOVE!
I love making the “rose” cake! I was always imitated by it, but once I gave it it a try, I fell in love. Something that is so easy gets so many wows by everyone else. And now that I’ve seen the way you do it, I can do it faster and not have to worry about each rose being so perfect!! (:
Wow that’s amazing, you are such a gifted woman.
But do you know, as someone who lives in the UK, it would make a great cake for celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee don’t you think?
The colours are soo right.
That is positively brilliant.
This is awesome ..Thank you so much for this beautiful cake and the video ..You are so kind
) Thanks a ton …
ok, seriously? I love you for this video!! I’ve been wanting to make a cake like this, but thought it would be too much of a challange. It looks easy enough. Guess I will give it a try! :0)
I followed your earlier rose cake tutorial to do a birthday cake. Now that I have actually seen you doing it, tempted me to do another rose cake.
Love your ideas.
You make this look so stinking easy! Love the cake and the video!
how do you get such vivid colors for your red and blue frostings?
Just posted a link!
Woweeee – this is amazing. I really think I am going to brave it and give this a go next weekend!
x
Thank you so much!!
I love it! So pretty and festive
Beautiful! Thanks so much for the tut, it really makes it seem quite do-able
Your timing is so perfect! Thank you! I got asked last night to do an anniversary cake or cakes for a party on July 7th, they are going to have about 150 people (eek!). I asked the theme and they said Fourth of July without the stars and stripes and I was worried about how I was going to make blue and red icing. Now I know, again thank you!
Hi, Do you have a recipe for the frosting you are using? I would love to try and make this for an upcoming memorial party. Thank you, Shannon
http://iambaker.net/the-perfect-crusting-buttercream Here you go!
Wow. This is so pretty!
the colors are so vibrant! great cake for 4th of july or any day really
thanks for sharing your info!
Thanks for replying to my question about food coloring. So, just to recap…are you suggesting that Americolor doesn’t have a bad taste compared to say something like Wilton? I use both brands and I kind of thought there was an altered taste to my buttercream regardless of which I used. Do you know if one is better than the other? Thanks again
The Tulip Red is a lot better than Super Red or anything Wilton. I would recommend Ateco over any other brand!
Why do you prefer Ateco gel colors than any other?
That video is fantastic, I will once again try my hand at making the rose cake but will frost it while watching the video in slow mo :O) Thanks again!!
I kind of liked your mess ups. They mean you’re human. Which in my book is pretty cool.
Fantastic tutorial, pinning it now!
The video is really helpful! You make me want to go make a huge cake and get to practicing!
So pretty and great to be able to watch you work. Love that you can pipe with one hand while turning your turntable with the other
Oh thanks Paula!! Really though… anyone can do that! Especially you. When are you gonna make one?!?
As always, AWESOME girl!! Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
This cake is gorgeous! I pinned this so I can come back to it in July.
you are right about the rose!
The rose was designated the official flower and floral emblem of the United States of America in 1986. The rose has been around for about 35 million years and grows naturally throughout North America. The petals and rose hips are edible and have been used in medicines since ancient times.
Shut up!!! Really? Thank you so much for sharing that!!!
what else would be our national flower? So pretty!!
Omi goodness I love watching you frost a cake. That video put my relaxing time over the top! Thanks for sharing!
awesome video!!!
Love it! I am such a visual girl.
Thanks for sharing.
I love this cake! I’m eager to make it
you kind of just blew my mind with that double bagging with the tip on the outside. I never thought of that. so simple! great tutorial
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this tutorial. I’ve tried the rose cake after studying (in great depth) your earlier posts and this is just the – wait for it – icing on the cake. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Anyway, I used to shy away from offering to sign up to bring desserts but now I don’t hesitate and the rose cake has become my Go To. And I owe it all to you!
So lovely, Amanda! My kids would love the red white and blue mouth after eating it up!
LOL Our friends Kirk (he filmed the video) had their sweet kiddo’s over and their daughter had a piece of cake. She had a blue mouth for the entire visit!
BRAVO GIRL! Thank you for taking the time to post this. I can see myself making a totally pretty pink and white Mother in Law birthday cake in the future!! Yay!
This is like the cake Olympics! You make something that’s difficult look so simple that we humans think we could probably do it! Thanks for the video, Amanda. Now would you email me a piece of that fabulous cake … a piece with LOTS of icing, please!!!
Lovely! Such a pretty cake and so loving the vibrant colours of each layer both in the buttercream and the sponge. Also, digging the way you bagged the frosting like that. I need to do something similar as I always find myself in a flap when I run out of frosting, lol.
You make it look so easy! Your cakes are the most beautiful cakes EVER!
I love this technique, and I love this cake in any color! Thanks for the video tutorial.
Gorgeous. Gorgeous cake!
Hi Amanda !
Just a quick question. Do you think this frosting technique would work with a cream cheese frosting ?
It depends on the frosting consistency. You need a frosting that will retain its shape… cream cheese is generally sot by nature, but I have seen (and used!) some recipes that use shortening in them as well. You can also add more sugar to stiffen it up a bit. Happy baking!
Thanks for the quick response
love your work by the way ! Your first rise cake was honestly one of the reasons I started decorating cakes . Thanks for the inspiration 
Love the video – but it would be even better if Aunt Inga had come to visit and share her tips!
Hope you are wonderful…I almost e-mailed you yesterday b/c you were on my mind…and then I didn’t just do it. 
Boo on me! Anyways I hope you are wonderful!! 
This cake is vibrant and completely fascinating!! You are such a PRO
I hope my daughter does not see this cake; she is hosting a 4th of July bash and I KNOW she would expect it of me…but I don’t have your experience. Can I just place an order.
I can never get enough of your rose cakes. They are absolutely perfect
I have been admiring your cakes for quite some time. I pin them all the time!! LOL Now that I seen this video I think I can do it!!! I can’t wait to try and make a rose cake. Thanks you so much your the best to share like you do….all the details.
that’s gorgeous!!!!
so simple but so elegant looking
WOW! That cake is absolutely GORGEOUS! What I love is how strong the frosting and cake colors are. Amazing!
Amanda- would you mind sharing the cake recipe that you used and the coloring you sed for the cake, specifically the blue tier?
Thanks so much!! I am going to try this cake oon!
Erin
Hi Erin! I made a white cake then added blue food coloring. The whole cake is just a white cake with food coloring… no special flavorings.
This is so beautiful. You’ve managed to take the typical patriotic-themed cake to a new and very elegant level. Once again you’ve raised the bar in creativity, and I always look forward to your next work of art.
Thanks for the tutorial, and Happy Memorial Day!
Gorgeous cake! I love the vibrant colors! and a great tutorial as well! I have yet to make your signature rose cake although it has always been in my ‘todo-list’.
ooh, looks great! I love how you call it a ‘patriotic’ cake, but to me it’s like the Dutch flag. I’m from The Netherlands and this is excactly our flag : )
I might even make this when The Netherlands are playing at the European Football Championship this summer.
Well I just love that. Dutch Flag Cake it is!
Love the look of the rose cakes. I am curious about the double bagging of the frosting. Why do you do that?
Easy switch out when I run out of frosting!
This is so beautiful! Being a 4th of July baby, I absolutely love this cake. I can’t wait to watch the tutorial!
What a beautiful application of this great technique! You inspired me to make a rose cake for a friend’s bridal shower – and now I can’t wait for a reason to make this patriotic version! Thanks for the video – you’re terrific!
I love the look of this cake but have to admit I love the pastel ombre one even more. So happy to have a tutorial for this technique – great post
Amanda, awesome video! I love the patriotic theme. And thanks for sharing how you get your bright, vivid colors. Beautifully done as always.
Amazing and brilliant inspiration for the upcoming jubilee celebrations in England!!
Impresionante! es increible lo fácil que parece en tus manos. Muchas gracias!
So simple yet so beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
With the Jubilee weekend next week, I guess I will be perfecting roses in icing. We are swooning over this cake at work!
Hi Amanda: I want to “Thank You” so much for your tutorials. I was afraid to make the “Rose Cake” when I first saw it on your blog. I thought it would be complicated and it would not turn out as perfect as yours. I need to make my mother a “Mother’s Day Cake” and I wanted truly wanted to make the “Rose Cake”. So I took a dummy cake and started practicing before I baked the cake, and I was amazed that I got it on the first attempt. My mother was so surprised and overjoyed once I gave her the cake, that she did not want to cut the cake to serve it to the family. I love all of your tutorial and cakes, and thanks for the confidents that you have given me to excel in what I love do best.
JUST GORGEOUS!!! Since, I already have flag cookies drying, and I think this is a MUST HAVE, I’m going to give it a try with a smaller cake! Thank you so much for this beautiful inspiration!
Thank you so much! I am going to try this out for Memorial Day!! I cannot wait…I have been curious on how you did these beautiful rose cakes for quite some time! Your blog is my favorite!!
Thank you for the video and all the great information on the colors. Beautiful work!
Wow, I was mesmerized by how you so adeptly and quickly made the rose swirls. It’s great being able to watch you doing it in real time like that.
I have been meaning to try this technique. Definitely will now that I have seen your video. Totally get your double bag – I use disposable bags inside my reusable bags for the same reason you do, but also to avoid staining my fabric bags.
Great tip Jacquee!
My heart be still!!!!!!!!!!!!This is my next occasion cake!
This is INCREDIBLE!
I am so impressed! 
Amanda, I have got to try this! Thanks for the help.
GORGEOUS, Amanda! Thanks for the tutorial and have a wonderful weekend!
What a beauty! Happy holiday weekend to all!
Hi Amanda! Nice to meet you. I found your blog through Pinterest. Thank you for Pinterest, it has reawaken my love for cooking, and DIY projects. I wanted to let you know that I will be doing this cake today (hopefully)!! Those are beautiful colors for that cake. I twisted my ankle a couple of weeks ago while running down from a hike. I love in Portland, OR so when the sun shines here we go out and take full advantage of it. So, I’m home, & I want to bake today. Hopefully my ankle won’t be whining, and I’ll be able to enjoy the process. Thank you for your inspiration!
Thanks for posting this. I hadn’t thought of doing the rose cake like this! I hope mine turns out just as nice. My blue layer is baking right now an the red and white are already finished! Can’t wait to decorate it tomorrow!
BTW…I so wish they would have taught this in my Wilton courses. I could have shown off my mad skills since this was the first cake I did before I actually started taking the courses!
I just have to say that I LOVE your blog (each part of it). I think you are doing a great job with it and I hope that my own blog will be as great as yours someday.
Have a lovely day! /ester
Awesome! Is it equally delicious as it looks?
Its white cake so if you like white cake than you are good to go!
Hi Amanda, where can I find the recipe for the sponges? I’m desperate to make the cake for the jubilee but I can’t find the link for the sponge!
Please help me!
Pru
Hey girl! I just made a white cake then tinted the layers with food coloring. You can go to my landing page and search “white cake” in the search box to see all my recipes, or you can just google “white cake” and find a recipe that would work for you. I hope you have a Fabulous Jubilee!!!
Thank you for such a quick reply! Have a great weekend!
I can’t remember or not but have you tried your rose technique on cup cakes? I tried to look back on your blog to see. My friends want to throw me a baby shower and asked what kind of cake I wanted and I just keep spamming them (lol nearly daily) with links to your rose cakes. I am not even a fan of roses typically but I love your cakes! Anyways I would love to see how they look on cupcakes.
I have! http://iambaker.net/flower-cupcakes Happy Baking!
I just love how impressive yet easy this frosting technique is!!! What a fun way to celebrate any patriotic holiday!!!!
Another absolutely beautiful cake! I love the video too!!
Can’t wait to try making my first rose cake.
This is gorgeous! You always do such a lovely job with such festive recipes! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the video and the idea! I made a golden Gluten Free birthday cake this weekend. Wow!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29049346@N06/7275021050/in/set-72157629423049264
It was amazing and I thank you so much for the idea, the technique and for sharing! I’ll do it again.
Great job!!
Thank you so much for the video tutorial! I have been eyeing your rose cakes for a while, and tried the rose on cupcakes, but didn’t have the guts to try it on a full cake until I saw your vid. I made a chocolate cake with cream cheese icing (which totally works, just up the confectioners sugar a little bit to help it crust and make sure the cake is COLD when icing it) this weekend for a surprise birthday party and it was a hit!! I’ve had to send a link to this page to all of my girlfriends!
Thanks for being an inspiration! You rock my socks.
Way to go Sara!!
This is just so spectacular Amanda. Amazing how the color can change things up like this! I think I am finally prepared to try your rose frosting advice. I am baking a bunch of cakes for our church auction today and decorating tomorrow. I will send you pictures if they are not too embarrassing!
Hi There,
I have been following your blog for a while, because your cakes are so inspiring and GREAT, I have been too embarrassed to ask this simply question, but I wanted to know: How do you get your buttercream frosting to come out so firm? I tried using one of the recipes you provided on your blog, however when it came time to piping , it was to soft and started to melt. Then I put it in the refrigerator for a while and it was still to soft to pipe. I JUST NEED HELP PLEASE! Yours seems to come up perfect.
Thank you for your time and for sharing your amazing cakes with us.
Shasha
Hi Shasha! I use buttercream with a little crisco in it. Also, make sure you adjust the amount of liquid used to your climate/area. If you find your frosting is to soft, you can add some more sugar. (if you are using a traditional buttercream recipe) Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me, I will try that out, I hope it works
, thank you again!
I gave it a go today, I made an ombre yellow rose cake, and it turned out really nice…very minimum effort for maximum impact! I also used your technique with the cartridges of different colored frostings and the one bigger bag with the tip – amazingly easy & so smart, thank you for teaching me that!! I’ll so use that again & again!! I’m going to post a picture of my effort on your Facebook page.
One Handed!!! You are awesome!! Love the video, I gotta make those bad boys soon
I’m not sure if this link will work, but I made these Memorial Day cupcakes that will most definitely be making a comeback for The Fourth of July! Super easy, just divide your white cake batter into thirds, color one red and one blue and spoon the layers into your cupcake liners! I did tie-dye icing to make them even better! I wanted to thank you for the inspiration to start baking! I am making my first anniversary rose cake for a friends GrandParents next week! https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/552842_10151020968617625_221765322_n.jpg
Hello! The cakes look so elegant!!! Thank you so much for the tutorial and the tips. I have a question though…I have a number 20 tip. Its an open star tip, but much smaller than the 1m (or 2110)
http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?sku=pg_openstartips
Can I still due to the roses with the smaller tip??
Im assuming since the size is smaller, I shouldnt even attempt to make big roses…so I guess id need to make smaller roses??
Or should I go get the 1m tip?
I would appreciate any suggestions or help from anyone who has attempted this….
THANK YOU!!!
You can really use any tip you prefer! I would try one with the tip you have… I bet you will love it!
Do you have a recipe of the frosting posted anywhere? I always try to make my own but it always turns out flat and runny. It won’t hold into the shape. It just drips down the cake. Could you give me the recipe for yours if you don’t have it posted anywhere?
This is a recipe that works very well. You can use half butter and half crisco if you prefer.
http://iambaker.net/the-perfect-crusting-buttercream
Thanks I look forward to making it! And also use it with those cupcakes on your other post!
Wow! What a great idea for 4th of July. Thanks so much for posting a video, too–so helpful!
Love the colors. They were very difficult to find however. I am on backorder from Ateco and hope they get here in time for the 4th of July. What a great looking cake. And easy!
I was looking at my baking pantry and realized I have a Star cake pan that I have never used. I’m going to try this cake with the star pan using small roses. Hope it works out. I just think it would be a cool look.
soo beautiful im trying this for the fourth of july this year.
What piping tip are you using?
What type of icing do you use?
Such a awesome cake! I plan on making this for tomorrow. Wondering about how many cups of icing u tinted of each color.
can you tell me where I can find that rotating stand that you use in this video
Just made my first rose cake. I made a white cake with a lemon curd filling and did yellow roses. It was beuatiful and I got tons of compliments on it. People actually thought it took me hours to decorate when it really only took a few minutes. Thanks for the idea
Thats fantastic!!
I love your cake! Took my first Wilton class last month. I keep trying to make my roses and they break. Is my icing too stiff? Thanks for sharing, love, love it! My next try will be the neopolitan cake
Could be… you can always add a bit more liquid! Happy Baking!
Thanks so much for the tutorial! I have been looking all over the internet for a tutorial on the tip and techniques to make this cake, and came across your video on YouTube, which led me here. I want to do this in pink for my daughter’s first birthday.
Thanks again!
What a blast! Thanks for a great blog!
Inspiring! My cakes are historically boring looking, but I’m going to give this a shot! Thanks for the video.
How much frosting to you use for three layers like this?
Love it!
Thank you for sharing with us , wish me luck I am doing it for a shower tommorow.
you make it look so easy. Melody
GRACIAS QUE HERMOSO TRABAJO MIL GRACIAS ESTE VIDEO ME AYUDO MUCHISIMO SALUDOS DESDE VENEZUELA!
I love the outlook of this cake. I have to made a birthday cake for a friend of mine and I will try to make it in brown, white and pink. Wish me luck!! Thanks your tutorials, they are sooo clear it all looks easy!! Kisses from Spain!!
Awesome! I really enjoyed the video! You make it look so easy!
I was curious what you use to color your frosting? I have been using the gel colors that you can find at Walmart or Michael’s and I can never get a true color. Mainly the blue and red are my issues. I just can’t seem to get the deep colors. I’m afraid if I put to much color it will change the flavor of the frosting. Any suggestions? Thanks.
I use Americolor or Ateco food coloring. Its the best!
I love rose cakes. They are simply beautiful! I am wondering how you made your red frosting? I have tried the no taste red and red-red dyes and still my frosting is pink. Help please!!
Thanks! When I made the first Original Rose Cake in 2011 I had no idea people would love it so much! I use Ateco or Americolor food coloring for my deep red.
Just plain ole awesomeness lady!
Thanks for the video. Love this gorgeous cake!
This is an awesome video and you make it look extremely easy! I will definitely be trying this in the near future…can’t promise it will come out looking quite as good as that though lol!
Beautiful! Is there a reason you use 2 disposable decorating bags? (one cut with icing, and one with the tip?). I have never seen this technique. Just curious…. ; )
I use so much frosting on the rose cake that it makes for quick and easy change-out!
How much icing did you use to do the rose cake (without crumb coat)? Looks so pretty, want to try this weekend for dinner with friends
it looks good and delicious… but it looks like the national flag of Netherlands hehe.. but I love all your cakes.. i’m a new fan of yours
I am not a baker by any means, but I saw this and am now inspired to do this for my mom on mothers day. Keep doing what you do, its people like you who inspire others to get up and do something creative and fun!! Keep posting things like this!!
O bolo é fabuloso, sou brasileira e é a primeira vez que vejo esse bolo e você permitir erei publica-lo no meu facebook e tenho certeza que será uma grande novidade. Obrigada!!!
Love Love Love your cakes. I have made your rose cake, thanks for the great ideas and instructions, you make me look like I know what I am doing
I would do this cake for Memorial Day or 4th of July, but I just don’t care for all the food coloring.