Decorating cakes for Valentine’s Day should be simple, tasty, and fun. I love the vintage-style look with bows, but this time I wanted the bows to be edible. Using candy for decorations means every part of the cake can be enjoyed, and the result is playful and delicious. In this tutorial I use a single type of candy to create a striking effect—quick to make and even better to eat.
How to make edible bows for cake decorating
I first thought about using rolled fondant, but this method is much easier and far more delicious. I used Twizzler Pull Apart licorice; any similar soft licorice or candy ropes will work well. The technique is straightforward and produces a charming, vintage-inspired accent.
Start by decorating your cake in a vintage style or keep it simple—either approach works. Once your base is ready, shape the candy bows. You can either tie the licorice like a shoelace or fold a loop and press the center down to form the bow. The candy is flexible enough to shape easily, and the result looks elegant and playful.
To attach the bow, place a small dab of buttercream where you want it on the cake and gently press the candy bow into the frosting. This secures the bow and blends it seamlessly with the cake’s design.
The finished cake has a sweet, nostalgic feel—almost Mary Poppins–inspired—with the bright red candy contrasted against white frosting. For a festive touch, press a few small red Valentine’s sprinkle hearts into the buttercream around the bow.
Video demonstration
Give this easy technique a try—it’s a fun way to make a memorable cake without complicated tools. If you try it, tag me @bakingwithblondie #bakingwithblondie so I can see your creations!
Happy caking!
xo, Mandy