cake decorating tutorial

Isomalt can be tricky to work with, expensive, nor is it easily available. This simple, easy and effortless recipe for isomalt gems substitute uses sugar candy as a substitute for Isomalt gems. It makes a great treat for&nbsp;kids cakes as kids can eat candy instead of isomalt. And it can be used for fashion inspired cakes or sugar shoes.&nbsp;

Candy Gems as Isomalt Substitute

Raw isomalt

Distilled water

Sugar

Water

corn syrup

Liquid food color of choice

Place the isomalt and water in the non-stick pot or saucepan and bring it to a boil on medium-high heat without stirring.

After the mixture comes to a boil lower the heat to medium and cover the pan with a lid. Leave to simmer for five minutes. Pro tip - covering the pot will create steam and prevent crystals from forming at the edges.

Take the lid off and place the candy thermometer. Continue to simmer until the temperature reaches 320°F or 160°C without stirring. Pro tip - this can take an hour or more so be patient.

When you reach the right temperature pour the mixture onto a silicone mat. Let cool then break it into smaller chunks. Store in an airtight container and use as required.

Reheat isomalt in the microwave at 15 seconds intervals to soften and shape as desired.

Isomalt

Bring sugar, water, light corn syrup to a boil. Once it starts to boil do not stir with a spoon or spatula. Gently brush the sides of your pot with a wet pastry brush to drop any sugar crystals stuck to the side.

Let syrup boil gently until it reaches 300°F on a candy thermometer. Add food color if needed.  Let the bubbles &amp; steam settle.

Pour into candy molds. Leave to set for about 30 minutes undisturbed. Once set flip the mold over and the gem should just drop off.

Store in an airtight container. Use as gemstones on a cake.

Candy for Isomalt substitute

Sugar flowers are made with a special sugar dough called gumpaste recipe made with edible gums such as Tylose or CMC. These make the petals hard enabling us to roll the paste really thin thus creating lifelike sugar flowers. Making gum paste recipe at home is a simple, easy and effortless process and I have given you two recipes here that will be the answer to all your cake decorating and gumpaste flowers.

Homemade Gumpaste Recipe (Edible)

Powdered sugar

tbsp Tylos / CMC

Meringue powder

½ tsp Cream of tartar

½ tbsp Vanilla Extract (or Almond)

tbsp Water (warm, up to 5 tbsp)

tbsp Veg shortening.

Dry ingredients - In a mixing bowl place 2 cups of powdered sugar, Tylos / CMC, cream of tartar, and meringue powder - mix well.

Wet ingredients - Next, add 3 tbsp of warm water to the light corn syrup and mix thoroughly.

Combine the wet to the dry ingredients and combine well for at least 2 minutes. Adding a little water if necessary.  Tip - powdered sugar needs very little water to dissolve so resist the temptation to add too much water.

The mixture should get sticky and that is what we are looking for. If necessary add a few tablespoons of water. Tip - the meringue powder in the powdered sugar will make it sticky similar to egg white this is exactly what we want otherwise the gumpaste will be crumbly and difficult to work with

Next, add the remaining powdered sugar. Continue to knead well. Do not add more water unless necessary. You should be able to form a ball of dough.

Next, rub in the vegetable shortening until you have a nice smooth and pliable dough.Tip - I divide my gum paste into 250 grams portions and store them separately. That way I use one portion at a time.

It&#039;s best to rest the dough in the fridge for a couple of hours before you use it. It will firm up quite a bit.Tip - Always keep gumpaste well-wrapped, first in plastic wrap then in a ziplock bag.

Label and store in a sealed box so you know when you made it.

Top 2 cake decorating tutorial recipes from across the web

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Candy Gems as Isomalt Substitute

Homemade Gumpaste Recipe (Edible)

Top 2 cake decorating tutorial recipes from across the web

The most viewed cake decorating tutorial recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Candy Gems as Isomalt Substitute

Homemade Gumpaste Recipe (Edible)

The most viewed cake decorating tutorial recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine