Vanilla Rose Water Cupcakes

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. 

Vanilla Rose Water Cupcakes

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!

Vanilla Rose Water Cupcakes

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.

Vanilla Rose Water Cupcakes
Vanilla Rose Water Cupcakes

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

Heather Baird
This treat is 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.
The edible heart sprinkles are optional. If you'd like to use them, you can purchase them here.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15

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.

Notes

Meringue powder can be found at most craft stores and at cake specialty shops.
Keyword candied rose petals, rose water icing, vanilla cake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Follow:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
53 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Kelly
Kelly
12 years ago

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!

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
12 years ago

Soooo pretty and cuetely decorated! Hopping over there.

Cheers,

Rosa

Mary @ Bake Break
Mary @ Bake Break
12 years ago

These are beautiful!!

Marco_e_Barbara
Marco_e_Barbara
12 years ago

bellissimi e golosissimi!!!

Rebecca
Rebecca
12 years ago

Sooo pretty! Where did you get those frilly cupcake wrappers?

Ana Sofia
Ana Sofia
12 years ago

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

Blog is the New Black
Blog is the New Black
12 years ago

Simply gorgeous!

Jessica
Jessica
12 years ago

Oh man! Those are beautiful and look too pretty to eat! I bet they are delicious.

Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot
Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot
12 years ago

How exciting and delicious! I love ModCloth! 🙂

Paula
Paula
12 years ago

You photographed these beautifully. I bet they taste just as lovely as they look.

Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
12 years ago

Gorgeous cupcakes and photo, going to check out the details now!

Lora
Lora
12 years ago

Stunning cupcakes. I want to wear one.

Amy
Amy
12 years ago

What a beautiful and elegant creation. And thank you for introducing me to the modcloth site!

Savoring Italy
Savoring Italy
12 years ago

So beautiful…Heather you are so talented:)

Kc
Kc
12 years ago

Gorgeous cupcakes & photograpghy! 🙂

Kc

a-sparkley-silver-lining.blogspot.com

Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
12 years ago

They look so beautiful, Heather!

Online Parenting Class
Online Parenting Class
12 years ago

very nice!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

STUNNING. Wow.

Heather (Heather's Dish)
Heather (Heather's Dish)
12 years ago

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!

Alexandra
Alexandra
12 years ago

Gorgeous! Love the rose petals.

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

So delicate and gorgeous…I expect to see you on TV soon lady!

Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
12 years ago

How stinking exciting that you got the opportunity to guest post for ModCloth! I am far to addicted to that website.

Yuri - Chef Pandita
Yuri - Chef Pandita
12 years ago

These are the prettiest cupcakes I've seen in my whole life!

Yuri - Chef Pandita
Yuri - Chef Pandita
12 years ago

These are the prettiest cupcakes I've seen in my whole life!

Jenni
Jenni
12 years ago

Ditto what Yuri said! So romantic and sweet! 🙂

Deirdre
Deirdre
12 years ago

The rose petals are quite simple but so beautiful! Just found your blog, stunning.

http://thekitschcook.blogspot.com/

Lili
Lili
12 years ago

I am so swooning over these, so romantic, delicate and simply gorgeous! xo ~Lili

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

These are so dreamy. I absolutely loved your photos. Each click captured the whimsy and that candied rose petal steals the show!

dana
dana
12 years ago

The candied rose petals are gorgeous!

Jen
Jen
12 years ago

These look amazing! I bet the rose flavor is light and not too sweet. I may just have to try this!

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
12 years ago

These are just the prettiest!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

wow che delizia! Meravigliosa, questa ricetta 🙂 Un bacio!

Heidi / @foodiecrush
Heidi / @foodiecrush
12 years ago

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.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

How beautiful are these? So incredibly perfect and I love the single crystallized petal on top.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

I wanna eat it! <3

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

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!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

These rosewater cupcakes look so beautiful! Love love love that you put candied rose petals on top of the cupcakes along with golden sprinkles!

Generic Abilify
Generic Abilify
12 years ago

looking at then patry i wonder it must be so yummy and tasty… I want to buy one

Thanks

Generic Abilify

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

What a soft cupcake! Wonderful!
Lucía

http://sevillaneando.wordpress.com

Sue
Sue
12 years ago

SO PRETTY Heather! Love the candied rose petal:) The perfect way to top off this cupcake!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

these are just so pretty……would love half a dozen just to make the kitchen look prettier x

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

Love the gold heart sprinkles! Where do you find them?

Cinnamon Sue baby and toddler
Cinnamon Sue baby and toddler
11 years ago

Thank You for your recipes I really find them quite inspirational and love sharing them. Fiona

Nadya
Nadya
11 years ago

do these taste as wonderful as they look?

Cuppers
Cuppers
11 years ago

Lovely cupcakes!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

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!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
11 years ago

Nothing's missing, but you can add 1 tbsp milk or cream at a time until smooth and pipeable.

Xoxox

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Thank you! Added shortening in a panic and now things are groovy again.

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Wonderful recipe – wondering how to adjust the recipe to make a cake??

Brandi
Brandi
11 years ago

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