A Tip When Purchasing Acrylics for Ganaching Your Cakes

If you love to ganache your cakes and have never used acrylic squres or cicles, I highly recommend it.

They can be expensive but I found a much cheaper and feasible way to purchase them in all kinds of sizes.

I located a place where I live that specializes in plastic.  At first I only purchased a few sets and thought the pricing was great.

I went in to purchase some square sets and found out that if you buy 1/4 sheet, you get so much more for your $$$$.

I was able to get 2 - 12 x 12, 4 - 10 x 10, 2 - 8 x 8, 2 - 6 x 6 & 2 - 4 x 4  for only $36.00 it can't get any better than that.

So remember, when going in to purchase your acrylics, make sure to ask how much for a 1/4 sheet, 1/2 sheet, 3/4 or even a full sheet.

Royal Icing & Disco Dust Rhinestone Tutorial

Items you will need:
Disco Dust (any color you choose)
Royal Icing
Edible Glue (I use a small amount of tylose powder w/water)
Small Tweezers
Toothpick or other small pointed tool (I used a gum stimulator)


Please note that when decorating with disco dust, it should be on items that can be removed from your cake and not to be consumed.

How to make your royal icing circles. I found a tutorial on this some time ago on the internet and would love to give credit but cannot remember where I found it.

You use the letter “O” on your keyboard in different font sizes on an entire sheet and print them out. This will be your guideline for the perfect piped circle. Place the printed sheet in a clear binder and rub a little vegtable shortening on it. Once you have completed piping your circles, let them sit until they are completely dry and do not remove them.

Take your edible glue and apply a small amount on a few circles at a time then sprinkle them with your disco dust.

Note: Do not coat too many at one time. The glue will dry before you can sprinkle them all. If this happens, reapply a small amount of your edible glue.

Once your disco dust has been applied, let it dry for a bit before gently removing the excess disco dust. Turn your sheet in a horizontal position and gently tap it on a tray to remove your excess disco dust so you can reuse it.

I found it easier to use a sponge tip applicator to scrape up the disco dust to my application tool than a paint brush.

NOTE TO SELF: you will have disco dust everywhere so make sure to remove your fondant mat or any items you use for your fondant from your working area.

To remove the royal icing diamonds once they are ready, you can use your tweezers or a small exacto blade and gently remove them. For application, apply a very small amount of royal icing then use your tweezers to gently place them (make sure not to squeeze them too hard) then secure them in place by gently pushing them down with your pointed tool.

Blogging

I have had a blog for a little over a year now and never really put it to use.   I have only had one post and that was my Fondant Tiara tutorial which as you see I am going to have to revise it.

I love being able to have a place where I can voice my opinion, post my tutorials and other cake related topics.  I also love the fact that anyone is able to post a comment and share their views with you as well.

I am going to make an effort to start blogging and would love to have all of you join in and leave me your comments and suggestions on either my tutorials or topics.

It is nice to have a place other than FB where we can all unite and share as cakers.

Fondant Tiara Template

I used a Crisco Vegetable Shortening 48 oz (3lb) can size for my tiara.

Make sure to secure the can to a base with tape so it does not roll around.  Place your template on top of the can and tape it at each end so it does not move around.  Then take a piece of parchment paper and lay it on top of the template and secure it with tape on both ends so it stays in place.

Once your template is prepped and ready, take your fondant and mix it with either gumpaste or tylose powder.  Roll out your fondant or use an extruder to get even pieces.

For the base, use one strip of fondant and place it over the lines and smooth it out with a fondant smoother so that it is flat unless you want to leave it round.  If it slides from side to side, you can secure the ends with a little bit of royal icing so that is stays in place.

To start the Tiara, use one piece of fondant strip and make your center design, making sure all of your ends connect.  Use edible glue to stick them together.  Continue to do the same process for the entire tiara.  It is important that you use one single strip for each line and to make sure they all connect so that your Tiara is strong and supported.

Once all of your tiara scrolls are complete, insert the small scrolls in the inside of the middle part at the same time placing the oval piece in the middle.    You may also add all 3 oval pieces on the top or just one.

Place your finished Tiara in a secure place and let it dry before removing it.

When removing your Tiara, just slide it off carefully to avoid breaking.

The tiara measures 4" tall and 10" base from one end to the other.  As you can see I made some modifications along the way when making it.