Royal Icing Magnolias

Tonight's post is a tribute to Mississippi's official state flower, the magnolia (one of my favorite flowers AND movie; if you haven't seen Magnolia, DO). You might want to pipe this large flower with a huge petal tip on a massive flower nail. I used a #104 petal tip, a #8 round tip, a flower nail with a primrose flower nail template (optional, but if you want to pipe five even petals you may find it helpful), a Styrofoam block to rest the nail in, parchment paper squares, a glue stick, stiff consistency royal icing in white and yellow, and a dusting pouch filled with a 50/50 mix of powdered sugar and cornstarch. Start by sticking a parchment square to the nail with a dab from the glue stick. 

 Using the petal tip and the white icing, pipe a petal that goes just beyond the outer line on the template. Move your hand in an upside-down "U" motion while keeping the outer narrow edge of the tip slightly off the surface.

 Touch your fingertips to the dusting pouch and gently curl the petal from the widest part to the tip inwards to slightly taper it.

 Repeat for a total of five petals, give or take. Allow this first layer of petals to firm up for a while…

…and then pipe another layer on top. Stagger the petals with those beneath them; don't line them up directly on top in rows. Angle the outer edge of the petal tip upwards at a steeper angle.  

 You'll probably only have room for three petals or so. Tap the center flat gently with a dusted fingertip.

Pipe the center with a round #8 tip and yellow icing. Hold the tip against the center at a 90 degree angle, squeeze, and pull upwards. Stop pressure and pull the tip away after about 1/4". Round off the peak by tapping it with a dusted fingertip. Let the references to "Sugar Magnolia" begin…