These Vanilla Rose Water Cupcakes are perfect for anyone who loves cute-and-pretty all rolled up into one! Luscious vanilla cake is topped with delicately scented rose water icing and its crowning glory is a glittering candied rose petal.

In 2012 I was invited to guest post on the ModCloth blog. For most of us, ModCloth needs no introduction; for those unfamiliar, it’s a cute shop with vintage-inspired clothing. They asked if I would develop a special Valentine’s day recipe for their blog readers – I was thrilled! I had a fresh bottle of rosewater lingering in my cabinet, and it didn’t take long to figure out what to make.
Nearly a decade (and counting) later, I’m sharing the recipe right here on Sprinkle Bakes. Modcloth recently revamped their blog and archived older posts such as this one. This recipe is too good not to share, so I’m giving it new life here on the blog!

Pick your petals wisely.
The cupcakes and frosting are easy-peasy to make. The rose petals take a little more time and effort. Be sure to choose organic, blemish-free roses at the very start. This will give you a beautiful end result!

Brush the petals with a little reconstituted meringue powder and roll in sugar. It’s that simple! Allow them to dry until firm. This will take a little time, and overnight is best. Place them in a cool dry place that has low humidity, such as a countertop away from your kitchen range.

I used an egg carton-shaped ceramic holder to form some of the petals. However, you could use a regular egg carton if you wanted the petals to be a little more 3D.

I simply adore these cupcakes and they are wonderful at any time of year. I could easily see them at a wedding reception as a fun alternative to wedding cake. Use a light hand when adding the rose water. A little goes a long way!
Related recipe: A Dozen Rose Cupcakes

Vanilla Rose Water Cupcakes
Equipment
- Artists’ brush
- Wire rack for drying
Ingredients
Vanilla Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 6 tbsp. butter softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 vanilla bean seeded and hull discarded
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. milk
Rosewater Frosting:
- 1 cup two US sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4-1/2 tsp. rose water
Candied Rose Petals:
- 15 blemish-free organic rose petals
- 1 tablespoon meringue powder
- ½ tablespoon warm water
- ½ cup extra-fine granulated sugar
Instructions
Cakes
- Heat oven to 350 and line cupcake pan with papers.
- Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until lightened in color and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between additions. Beat in vanilla bean seeds and vanilla extract.
- Add flour mixture and milk alternately, beginning and ending with flour. When completely incorporated, divide batter evenly amongst liners, filling them 2/3 full. Bake for 15-20 minutes (check at 15). Cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- Beat softened butter and confectioners’ sugar together on low speed in the bowl of a stand mixer. Gradually increase speed until powdered sugar is absorbed and frosting becomes light and fluffy.
- Add flavorings and mix on high speed for 2-3 minutes. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large plain tip and pipe onto cupcakes.
Candied Rose Petals
- Mix together the meringue powder and water in a small condiment cup. Pour the extra fine sugar in a separate small bowl.
- Dip the paint brush into the diluted meringue and brush an even coat onto the front and back of a rose petal. Dip the petal in the granulated sugar and place on a wire rack. Repeat process with remaining petals until all are coated. Let all the petals dry until crisp.
- Garnish cupcakes or place in an air-tight container until ready for use.
Oh Heather, how exciting! ModCloth is my favorite place to buy clothes and drool over stuff ever! What a perfect fit! Love your recipes and love their site!
Soooo pretty and cuetely decorated! Hopping over there.
Cheers,
Rosa
These are beautiful!!
bellissimi e golosissimi!!!
Sooo pretty! Where did you get those frilly cupcake wrappers?
I love your blog! It amazes me how much talent you; you mix simple ingredients but create yummy art! You have inspired me to buy some baking tools, and give your recipes a go myself (although i highly doubt i will ever reach ur level of expertise haha!)
x
Simply gorgeous!
Oh man! Those are beautiful and look too pretty to eat! I bet they are delicious.
How exciting and delicious! I love ModCloth! 🙂
You photographed these beautifully. I bet they taste just as lovely as they look.
Gorgeous cupcakes and photo, going to check out the details now!
Stunning cupcakes. I want to wear one.
What a beautiful and elegant creation. And thank you for introducing me to the modcloth site!
So beautiful…Heather you are so talented:)
Gorgeous cupcakes & photograpghy! 🙂
Kc
a-sparkley-silver-lining.blogspot.com
They look so beautiful, Heather!
very nice!
STUNNING. Wow.
so beautiful! i'd never heard of modcloth until the other day (one of my friends is getting her bridesmaids dresses from them) – apparently i was living under a rock!
Gorgeous! Love the rose petals.
So delicate and gorgeous…I expect to see you on TV soon lady!
How stinking exciting that you got the opportunity to guest post for ModCloth! I am far to addicted to that website.
These are the prettiest cupcakes I've seen in my whole life!
These are the prettiest cupcakes I've seen in my whole life!
Ditto what Yuri said! So romantic and sweet! 🙂
The rose petals are quite simple but so beautiful! Just found your blog, stunning.
http://thekitschcook.blogspot.com/
I am so swooning over these, so romantic, delicate and simply gorgeous! xo ~Lili
These are so dreamy. I absolutely loved your photos. Each click captured the whimsy and that candied rose petal steals the show!
The candied rose petals are gorgeous!
These look amazing! I bet the rose flavor is light and not too sweet. I may just have to try this!
These are just the prettiest!
wow che delizia! Meravigliosa, questa ricetta 🙂 Un bacio!
Your cupcakes are perfect for ModCloth, totes vintage in your styling and effervescent in your photos. The most gorgeous cupcake pic I think I've ever seen. And glitter. Come on now, over the top perfection.
How beautiful are these? So incredibly perfect and I love the single crystallized petal on top.
I wanna eat it! <3
Simply beautiful! That perfect I don't think I could bear to eat it! Your photography has inspired me to keep on trying to improve – it's slowly getting better!
These rosewater cupcakes look so beautiful! Love love love that you put candied rose petals on top of the cupcakes along with golden sprinkles!
looking at then patry i wonder it must be so yummy and tasty… I want to buy one
Thanks
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What a soft cupcake! Wonderful!
Lucía
http://sevillaneando.wordpress.com
SO PRETTY Heather! Love the candied rose petal:) The perfect way to top off this cupcake!
these are just so pretty……would love half a dozen just to make the kitchen look prettier x
Love the gold heart sprinkles! Where do you find them?
Thank You for your recipes I really find them quite inspirational and love sharing them. Fiona
do these taste as wonderful as they look?
Lovely cupcakes!
I'm stuck with the icing…I followed the directions and I'm looking at a bowl full of powder. Whaaaaat issss happening? Please help. Is there a liquid element missing from the ModCloth recipe?
Thanks!
Nothing's missing, but you can add 1 tbsp milk or cream at a time until smooth and pipeable.
Xoxox
Thank you! Added shortening in a panic and now things are groovy again.
Wonderful recipe – wondering how to adjust the recipe to make a cake??
Hi – These look beautiful and I'm going to try them for a party!
How many cupcakes does the recipe make?
Also, any tips on where to find edible rose petals? I'm having trouble with that.
Thanks!
Brandi