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Make-a-Cake Series: Sugar Gems

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I enjoy finding different ways to add a special touch to a cake.
A few months back I gave simple sugar work a try……..and I fell in love with this art.

I don’t think you will ever see me on a Food Network Challenge with my sugar work but I wanted to share a simple way to add this edible media to your cakes.

Here are the sugar gems we are going to make.

Supplies:

  1. White Sugar –(you can use Isomalt for a sugar free option)
  2. Gel coloring
  3. Hard candy mold– I bought mine here for $5 with shipping. You can use whatever you want, just make sure it’s for hard candy or made of silicone.
  4. Light corn syrup
  5. Spoon
  6. Wisk
  7. Candy thermometer
  8. Water
 It’s best to make candy on a dry day. Sugar attracts water and your candy will get sticky fast if it’s humid. So try this on a clear day. 
If you are having trouble with sticky candy try using the sugar substitute Isomalt, it attracts less water but is more costly. 
Recipe: 
**Please be so careful when you do this. It’s hot and sugar burs are awful. I have had one and it was not pleasant. This is a great project for when the kids are in bed. 
Spray your molds lightly with cooking spray
In a saucepan add:
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup water
2/3 cup corn syrup
Over medium heat bring mixture to a boil. Wisk often.

When it comes to a boil, add your candy thermometer and do not stir anymore.

We are getting our candy to 300 degrees (fahrenheit). Candy will start to turn brown at 300 degrees so it is important to watch carefully.
At 280 degrees, turn your stove down to low and let it come up to 300 degrees.

Take your thermometer out and remove your pan from the heat.

If you are making clear gems then you are done and you can start spooning into your molds.

If you want color you add it here. Start with just a little bit and add more if needed.
The mixture will bubble when you add the color…..and that’s ok.

If you want to add flavoring to your candy do it at this step. You need flavor oils to do so. I don’t because I like how it tastes plain and I try to keep my cost down.

Here is what I did.
After reaching 300 degrees, I removed the mixture from the heat and spooned some clear sugar into my mold.

Then I added a little bit of pink color to make a light pink. Then I spooned more into the mold.

Next, I added more pink color to the sugar mixture to make a darker pink, and then spooned it into the mold.  So then I had 3 different colors of candy.

 (You can also try to do clear, yellow, then add a little blue to get green. Try making as many colors out of one batch as you can.
 And yes, you may have some left over.  I just let it get hard in the pan and then soak the pan in water until it dissolves.)

Let the sugar cool in the molds.

After the sugar is cool, turn your mold over and pop out the candy. Then break off the little strands of excess that may have dribbled while spooning the mixture.
 Store your candy in an air tight container in a cool dry place.

There are your own little edible gems.

Here is the cake I used these gems on.
I made clear, fuchsia and purple for the colors.

I put a dab of buttercream on the backs and attached them to the cake. 

I learned afterward not to do it too early.
I put mine on 24 hours before delivery and had to keep a fan on it the last 12 hours due to humidity. So put your candy on only a few hours before serving.

I hope you enjoyed this quick introduction into sugar work. 

Here is how I made a few others things on this cake:
-A tutorial is coming on how to make the crown.
-The swirls are piped on with buttercream and a #2 tip.
-The glasses were made with the wilton leaf cookie cutter. I used gumpaste and the medium cookie cutter. I cut the gumpaste and then flipped over the cutter to make the other side. Then I used the small cutter to make the eye holes. I made the bridge with my fingers and attached both sides with a bit of water. It dried for 48 hours.

If anyone has a cake they have done feel free to post them in the “you made it and love it” section, we would love to see your work!

Happy Decorating!

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Comments

  3. What a great cake, thanks for sharing your talent. Can't wait for the tutorial for the crown. My little one has a birthday coming up and I would love to make one.

  7. Are you telling me that I can combine TWO of my favorite things…gemstones AND sugar! I'm in love. I'm wondering about the possibilites of homemade candy bracelets, rings, etc…hmmmm.

  10. WOW! I am throwing my daughter a Princess Party and would love to make this cake. Don't know if will actually happen, but one can dream:) Thanks for sharing!
    Sarah

  12. Hi i know this is an old video but i enjoyed the lesson and tried it.Thank you it came out beautiful…

  14. Were your gems still sticky from the plastic mold? The mixture poured into my reusable baking cups isn’t sticky, but the gems from the mold are.

  15. this definitely will help me for my cake im making for our business. Icandy bead company. the grand opening is this coming Saturday and im making a cake with edible jewels on it. thank you

  16. Thanks a lot for this tutorial, my sis is having her wedding by Oct and she said she wants the engagement ring box cake, I’ve been worried cos i don’t know how to make the gem stone for the ring thanks. You’ve made me a great favor