How to Paint Sugar Diamonds

Candy diamonds can look just like the real thing.

For bakers who want a little pizazz and sparkle on their cakes, decorating them with sugar diamonds can make a fun and bold statement. Sugar diamonds are made from a boiled isomalt mixture that is poured into special jewel-shaped candy molds. The isomalt helps to prevent humidity from breaking down the candy and is completely edible. Candy jewels made of isomalt can be brushed or painted with edible luster dusts using a small, soft brush for a metallic and shiny look, giving a little color to plain candy diamonds.

Things You'll Need

• Edible candy sugar diamonds
• Sheet pan
• Silicone mat
• Confectionery gloves
• Luster dust
• Small sugar craft paint brush

Instructions

1. Line a sheet pan with a clean and flat silicone mat. This will help the candy diamonds stay in place when you are painting them with the luster dust. Put on the confectionery gloves.

2. Place the candy diamonds you want to work with on the silicone mat, separating them so they are not bunched together. Pick them up one by one while wearing the gloves to prevent fingerprints from forming on the diamond surfaces.

3. Open a vial of luster powder, and carefully dip the end of the sugar craft decorating brush inside. Use the lid to swirl the brush around, to get rid of excess dust and prevent globs of luster dust from being spread on the individual sugar diamond.

4. Lightly brush the areas that require a little luster dust with the confectionery paint brush. Hold the diamond using your fingers, and with the other hand apply the luster dust on the sides, top and bottom of the candy diamond. Repeat as needed to paint other sugar diamonds as needed.

5. Lightly fan the diamonds after painting to remove excess luster dust from both the diamond surfaces and any small amount that has dropped on the mat surface. Removing the excess luster dust will help prevent drops of the paint powder from depositing on the wedding cake in areas you don't want the luster dust.

6. Add the diamonds to decorate cakes and add sparkle.

Tips & Warnings

• Store the finished sugar diamonds in an airtight container to protect them from humidity and moisture.

• Although the sugar diamonds are edible, avoid serving them to young children, as they can be a choking hazard.

References

• The Pastry Sampler: All About Sugar Diamonds and Candy Jewel Cakes

Resources

• Kitchen Crafts: Large Clear Sugar Diamonds
• Sugarcraft: Isomalt and Its Uses, Make Edible Jewel Shapes
• Country Kitchen SweetArt: Luster Dust