How to Make a Ribbon From Pulled Sugar

Sugar is the main ingredient in pulled sugar.

Pulled sugar is made from sugar, water, glucose and cream of tartar. It's used to make edible forms and sculptures that can either stand on their own or be used to decorate a cake. The most popular designs made from pulled sugar are ribbons, bows, roses and baskets, but there is no limit to what can be sculpted. The pulled sugar must be kept malleable to work with it. Once it hardens, it's very hard to shape.

Things You'll Need

• Saucepan
• 2 lb. sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp. glucose
• 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
• Sink
• Cold water
• Candy thermometer
• Butter
• Cutting board
• Knife

Instructions

Making Pulled Sugar

1. Put the water and sugar in the saucepan. Mix thoroughly.

2. Add in the glucose and cream of tartar. Stir until well mixed.

3. Fill the sink with cold water.

4. Place the pan on the stove and turn the burner on high. Heat to boiling. Once the temperature of the mixture reaches 312 F degrees on the candy thermometer, remove from heat.

5. Place the bottom of the pan in the cold water to immediately cool the mixture.

6. Set the pan aside so the mixture can cool to room temperature. This may take up to an hour.

Forming the Bow

1. Lightly butter the cutting board. This will be the work area where you will form the ribbon.

2. Remove the pulled sugar from the pan and place on the cutting board.

3. Work the pulled sugar by rolling it in a ball, then slowly pulling the ball flat from two different sides. Do this until it is evenly thin and covers the cutting board.

4. Use the knife to cut a length from the pulled sugar. This can be as thin or thick as you want the ribbon to be.

5. Trim a triangle-shaped piece from each end, just like a ribbon would have. You can then arrange the ribbon on whatever you'd like.

References

• Candy Making: Pulled Sugar
• Chef Talk: Pulled Sugar for Dummies
• Astray Recipes: Pulled Sugar