How to Make Miniature Gumpaste Peony Flowers

Last week, I showed you how I made a BIG gumpaste peony without using a special peony cutter.  Today, I'm showing you how to make incredibly eensy weensie tiny miniature gumpaste peonies.

I'm a  sucker for anything miniature, and love the dimension that adding some gumpaste flowers can give to cakes and cookies.  

To make my teeny tiny peonies, I used a set of multiple flower gumpaste cutters made by JEM.  Specifically, the Size 2 Cutter, and the Size 0 and 1 set of gumpaste flower cutters.  I actually had some other little gumpaste flower cutters about the same size when I bought these sets, but I absolutely love using these particular products because they let me cut 9 flowers with one stamp.  It actually makes a big difference, especially when you're making layered flowers like peonies.

Making miniature gumpaste flowers is actually way easier than making large ones, I think.  Just roll out the gumpaste thinly, cut out the flower shapes, then shape on a little bit of foam like the one shown in the picture above.  Use a gumpaste tool with a small ball on the end to push down in the center of each flower.  Since you're doing it on a soft foam surface, the petals will curl up beautifully, and because the flowers are so tiny, they don't need to be supported while they dry to keep their shape.

Layer the tiny gumpaste flowers, starting with the largest and getting progressively smaller.  I use a small dab of vodka to act as glue to hold the layers of petals together.  It dries more quickly than water.  A small nonpareil sprinkle in the center makes a darling, dainty finishing touch.  Try using a couple shades of the same color and mixing the two tones in the same flower for a really gorgeous effect with no extra effort.

I used my tiny little gumpaste peonies to embellish my monogram A watercolor cookies.  Adding that little touch took a cookie from "meh" to "wow!" in an instant.