How to Make Gum Paste for Cakes
While the smooth white dough of fondant and gum paste look similar, each has distinct ingredients that allow for different applications in cake decorating. Fondant is a paste made from sugar syrup, and it is typically rolled and draped over cakes. Gum paste is made with a component called gum tragacanth, which makes the dough more flexible and easier to shape. Make your own gum paste dough to create flowers, ribbons, swirls and more for your next cake. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Unflavored powdered gelatin
- Double boiler pan
- Water
- Gum tragacanth
- Cream of tartar
- Mixing spoon
- Blue food coloring
- Confectioners' sugar
- Cornstarch
- Plastic bag
- Shortening
Instructions
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1
Place 1 tbsp. of unflavored gelatin in a double boiler pan over boiling water. Add 1/2 cup of water, 1 tbsp. of gum tragacanth and 1 tsp. of cream of tartar and slowly stir until the gelatin melts.
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2
Add 1 to 3 drops of blue food coloring. This will help keep the gum paste white. Mix again.
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3
Remove the mixture from heat and pour in, a cup at a time, 3 cups of confectioners' sugar. Coat your your hands with cornstarch and knead the mixture to form a soft and sticky dough.
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4
Place the dough in an airtight plastic bag and let the dough rest for 30 minutes or overnight until you are ready to use it.
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5
Dust a flat work surface with cornstarch and place the rested dough on top. Gently knead in 1 cup of confectioners' sugar until thoroughly combined. It is now ready to use.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep unused portions of the dough in a sealed container to preserve its flexibility.
Dust any tools that come in contact with the dough with cornstarch to avoid sticking.
Add 1 tbsp. of shortening to loosen up stiff dough. Knead thoroughly before using.
References
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty Images
