Whenever April comes around, I find myself thinking of the concept of renewal. It strikes me that the traditional April showers are Earth’s way of cleansing itself in preparation for the growing season.

It’s also a time of renewed colors. The white and gray of winter is magically replaced by rich browns and bright greens, anticipating the even more spectacular shades when the flowers arrive.

Sapphire stones also enter my consciousness at this time of year. Some might find that strange, since sapphire is associated with the month of September. However, sapphire symbolizes good fortune, wisdom and virtue—all of which are qualities I see in action when Earth renews itself.

That’s why this month, our tutorial focuses on a sapphire-blue cake. Blue sapphire stones remind me of water—the very same water that falls from the sky. When edible paints are diluted and turned into colorful, rain-like droplets, beautiful cake designs can emerge.

For the purpose of this month’s project, we’re going to assume that you have a cake of your choice already made and set on a cake board. That way, we can get directly to the use of our edible paints and edible paper. As always, the design I do in the tutorial is one way, not the way. You are always encouraged to express yourself and be as creative as you like.

Once you’ve completed your own unique sapphire-blue cake, feel free to sit back, grab a cold drink and enjoy a little taste of spring right in your own kitchen.

Line a cookie sheet with plastic wrap and lay out SmArt Sheets.

Using a small amount of water, mix up the blue edible colors in two small bowls.

With paintbrush or dropper, start to color the paper randomly. Set aside to dry, preferably overnight.

Rip paper into horizontal strips. 

Using piping gel, add your designed paper to your (pre-prepared, fondant covered) cake, working from the top down on the lower layer. 

Repeat on top layer.

Paint your cake board with blue.

Decorate with luster dust.

Add pre-prepared wafer flower decorations. 

Kim M. Simons is an award-winning artist, cake artist and food artist. She and her team—The Bah Hum Bakers—were the champions of Food Network’s “Holiday Wars” in 2019. Kim can currently be seen competing on Food Network’s “Cakealikes,” which can be streamed on Discovery+. Visit Kim at www.cakesbykimsimons.com.