Edible Flower Sculpture

Wouldn't a dye-free, edible type of sculpting material that is safe for everyone of all ages be wonderful? What if you could safely dye and embellish it too? Turn it into a pretty fairy flower? This tutorial will show you how!

With only 4 main staples that most people have at home in their pantry, this is incredibly simple to make. Sculpt into any desired shape or cut out using cookie cutters, molds, or hand draw your own creative design and simply sculpt to your hearts content!

I use this at home for rainy days or art days (during quarantine) when I teach "forced homeschool". Super easy, safe, and only 4 ingredients! My children pretend to make cookies, pies, and anything else I will let them bake in the oven. We just sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar for a tasty treat or snack!

2 cups flour

1 cup shortening

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup cold water

large mixing bowl

measuring cups and spoons

pastry chopper or 2 butter knives

soup/cereal spoon

• baking pan

if desired:

food coloring dye

sprinkles

In a large mixing bowl add the flour and shortening.

Chop together using a pastry cutter as seen in 3rd picture.

You can also use 2 butter or table knives to cut the dough into pea size pieces.

Once it is thoroughly mixed, you are ready for the next step!

Pour the cold water into the bowl.

Using your spoon, stir in a clockwise motion until a ball begins to form.

Put a dusting of flour onto the counter.

Divide the dough into 2 parts so it doesn't get overworked.

Roll one of the dough balls with your hands turning it into a ball.

Take one ball and place it on the dusting of flour.

Roll it out until its about 1/4 inch thick (doesn't need to be measured or perfect).

Using your small knife, cut out the desired shape and size of petals you are wishing for. The larger the petals, the bigger the flower. My flowers petals are in a leaf shape and about 2-3 inches long. The next 2 layers are about 2 inches long. The last layer is 1/2 to 1 inch long approximately.

Make about 8 petals for the bottom layer.

5 for the next layer

4 for the next layer

NOTE: this is not set in stone. Go by your feeling too. If you want it fuller add more petals. If you want small tiny flowers, less and smaller petals, and so on.

Place the first layer of petals in a circular shape with them connecting in the center on a baking pan that has wax paper or parchment paper to keep from sticking to the pan.

Start shaping each of the other petals to your desired shape using your fingers as seen in photos. (These do not need to be perfect because flowers in nature are not perfect!)

Have each layer of petals get smaller as you sculpt the flower.

Roll out more dough as needed to make more petals.

The more petals you have the larger your flower will be.

Once you have sculpted your flower and are happy with your results move to the next step.

Now that you are done decorating your sculpture, place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes set on 350* degrees. You will know it is done if the petals look dry and lightly golden. As seen in second picture.

Now time for a photo!

We hope this was fun and easy to follow.

This edible, safe, and easy sculpting material is great for toddlers, pre-schoolers, middle school kids, teens, and even adults. Also great for teachers as a safe modeling clay or playdough.

*This can be put into the fridge wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in a ziplock bag to be used the following day. After that it will not be moist and as easy to mold.

Using egg whites and sprinkles, we began to get creative and turn our flower into a Fairy Flower: (You can paint and embellish your sculpture using any color food dye and sprinkles or anything else edible of your choice. Get creative!)

Put an egg white into a bowl and slightly stir with a fork. At this step you can add food coloring dye to the egg whites to paint the petals a color of you choose. I used clear for a more pastel feel to my fairy flower.

Using a small paint brush, begin to lightly coat (paint) the petals. While the paint is still wet, add your sprinkles or embellishments so that they will stick to your sculpture.