Do you see pictures of rustic wedding cakes and wonder, “Could I do that?” Those textured patterns in the frosting are easier than you may think. You can do it without experience, bags, or icing tips. And the decorations are simple, too.
This tutorial consists of seven videos. The main video at the end of this post shows the process of assembling all the decorations on the cake.
The six additional videos demonstrate, in detail, how to make the rustic cake decorations and create the icing effects.
Here are those six decorating steps …
Decorating a DIY Rustic Wedding Cake
This country wedding cake DIY shows you the steps in decorating a rustic cake. Three simple buttercream icing techniques, a love knot rope, and burlap leaves for flowers.
Rustic Cake Icing
This is the basic method of thickly applying buttercream icing. It is the first step in creating the buttercream icing techniques I used on all three tiers.
Buttercream Technique 1: Deep Tree Bark Icing
The bottom-tier technique creates the illusion of deeply-cragged tree bark. Something like an elm tree.
Cake Icing Texture 2: Simple Ruffles
This center-tier icing technique looks similar to ruffles without all the work. Here, I create the effect by using a knife tip to dig into the icing.
Rustic Icing Technique 3: Shallow Tree Bark Icing
This is a way to get a shallower tree trunk style. I did a random free-form design, but if you wanted to you could try for some sort of pattern.
How to Tie a Love Knot Rope
These are Celtic knots crafted into the shape of a heart instead of the traditional round shape. I used sisal rope for a country look.
Making Burlap Flower Leaves
I'm actually making an entire burlap fabric flower in this video. To make the leaves for the cake, follow the directions for only the bottom, largest layer. That is the part that goes under the roses on the cake.
In the actual tutorials, I’m wearing salmon with polka dots. You can always skip past this part at the beginning of any video by going straight to 1:05.
Since I have no wedding cake decorating experience and little natural craftiness, my videos are geared toward helping those with limited talent figure out how to DIY. Consequently, I show you easier methods than you may find in videos from experts.
Additionally, I share tips for avoiding some of the pitfalls you may run into. Enjoy!
Karen
Friday 3rd of September 2021
Where do you get burlap ribbon that you can put on the cake so the fibers don’t get in the cake
Bobette Kyle
Friday 3rd of September 2021
Hi Karen, It is just regular kraft-type burlap ribbon. To keep it from getting on the cake, I glued wax paper on the back as a barrier.
Michele
Wednesday 20th of September 2017
Do you think that if I make a buttercream with a meringue base, after I refrigerate, I get this tree trunk effect?
Bobette Kyle
Wednesday 20th of September 2017
Hi Michele. I do not know how it would react. I'd recommend making a small batch and experiment to see what it would look like.
Tammy W.
Tuesday 21st of March 2017
Can you tell me how to attach the burlap ribbon to waxed paper?
Bobette Kyle
Tuesday 21st of March 2017
Hello! Any all-purpose glue should work fine to attach the wax paper to the ribbon. The glue will be on the non-cake side, with wax paper between it and the cake, so there are no worries about it needing to be food safe.
Ashley
Friday 19th of August 2016
Hi could u tell me where you got the steak knife that you used for the middle tier?
Bobette Kyle
Friday 19th of August 2016
Hi Ashley, It's a knife I've had around for years. I *think* it's part of a Ninja knife set I got 15-20 years ago. Here's a close up of the blade. Hopefully that helps.
Carolyn
Thursday 17th of March 2016
Hi, could you tell me if a buttercream frosting on a wedding cake for July would be stable enough to hold in hot weather or can you suggest an alternative for a rustic style cake, thanks
Bobette Kyle
Thursday 17th of March 2016
Hi Carolyn, You would want to use a shortening-based buttercream (as opposed to one with butter). That way, it will not require refrigeration. Wilton gives you an all-shortening substitution in their recipe here: http://www.wilton.com/buttercream-icing/WLRECIP-41.html
HTH. Bobette