How to Make a Gum Paste Rose

Gum Paste Roses

With the right tools and a little patience, anyone can shape elegant, intricate gum paste roses. This illustrated guide will help you make a variety of roses, from tight buds to extravagant blooms.

What You'll Need

• Flower paste/gum paste
• Toothpicks
• Styrofoam block
• Nonstick board or marble slab
• Cornstarch
• Rolling pin
• Gum paste cutters or cookie cutters in various sizes
• Gum paste flower tool (optional)
• Small brushes
• Gel paste colors/edible petal dust

Make Base

Roll some gum paste into a small ball, about 1/2 inch in diameter. Pinch the top of the ball to shape it into a teardrop. 

Insert Toothpick and Let Dry

Insert a toothpick into the base and set it aside in a Styrofoam block. Make these bases a few days in advance, as they need to be completely dry before you can proceed. 

Roll Out Gum Paste

On a smooth surface dusted with cornstarch, use a rolling pin to roll out your gum paste to a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch.

Cut Out Rose Petals

Use an assortment of gum paste cutters to make your rose petals. In order to create a more natural effect, use smaller cutters for the inner petals and large cutters for the outer petals. 

Thin Out Petal Edges

If you have a gum paste flower tool, use it to thin each petal's edges and create a delicate, frilled effect. If you don't have a flower tool, simply pinch the petal's edges to thin them. 

Wet Finished Petal

Wet the finished petal with a little water or gum paste adhesive. 

Wrap Petal Around Base

Wrap the petal around the base and furl the outside edge slightly to create a closed rosebud. If you're making a gum paste bouquet, keep some flowers at the rosebud stage.  

Make Another Petal

Prepare another petal of similar size and repeat steps five through seven.

Wrap Second Petal

Wrap the second petal around the rosebud, then roll back the petal's outer edge. 

Attach Third Petal

Repeat this process with a third petal of similar size. Again, roll back the petal's outer edge to open your gum paste blossom. If you are making a gum paste bouquet, keep some roses at this stage. 

To shape larger roses, cut out a set of larger petals and repeat steps five through 10. Always ensure that your roses are dry before moving on to the final step. 

Add Color to the Finished Dried Roses

Paint your flowers with a small brush and an assortment of gel food coloring or petal dust shades. Apply a darker tint to each flower's core for a natural effect.

Note: If you are aiming for a deep red hue, use colored gum paste—it is nearly impossible to produce a rich, vivid color with just petal dust or gel food coloring.