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Isomalt topper (with painted message)
How to make your own, edible message topper instead of purchasing an acrylic version and learning to work with isomalt!
Isomalt topper (with painted message)

Link to the exact size topper (and flowers) Shawna used in this project it HERE.

 

When you want to change the size of the inspiration photo on one of my shared documents
OR when an inspiration photo has to be printed larger than an 8.5x11, it gets a little tricky when doing it from your home computer, so follow these directions:

  1. First, click on the Google Doc link that I've provided.  (Or insert your own photo into a new Google document). You'll need to have a google account to complete the next steps, so if you want to print from these google docs I add, it's a good idea to setup a google account.
  2. Ok, after you click on the link and the photo has opened in the document, click "file" in the upper left hand corner.
  3. A menu drops down... then click on "make a copy". A box pops up where you can give the file a name and designate which folder in your google drive you'd like to save it to. It should then automatically open up that copied document for you.
  4. You should be able to edit that document, changing its size and such (you can only view the original that I posted.) To print out a very large photo, on that new document you'll have print it out in sections and then move the photo around (without changing it's size) and print out remaining sections. For example, in the eagle cake tutorial, I would print out the wing section you see first, and then start moving it to get to the other areas. In order to move it, you first need to click on the picture. A blue box should appear around it.
  5. Then, click the "crop image" icon up in the tool bar. It will show you the full picture, and you can then drag it to a new section to print out.
  6. Once you've dragged the photo and decided the next section to print, click the "crop image" icon again
  7. and then you can click on the printer icon in the tool bar to print out that section.

    You should be able to continue to hit the crop button and move the picture around to each new section to print out until you've printed the entire photo...and then piece it together and attach with tape! 

Isomalt Crystals Cooking Instructions:

  • It's best to cook 3 pounds of isomalt crystals at a time (to help insure they don't discolor)
  • Put the crystal into a pot on the stove and add just enough DISTILLED water to create a wet-sand look
  • Turn on burner to med-high heat
  • Either cover pot or have a small bowl of distilled water and a silicone pastry brush ready to wipe down sides of pot if needed
  • Set digital thermometer to 330 degrees F
  • Prepare a cold water bath in either a larger pot that the isomalt pot can rest in or in a sink
  • When the isomalt reaches 330 degrees, take the pot and place it in the cold water bath just long enough for the hissing of the pot to stop (@10-20 seconds)
  • Your isomalt can be used right away for pouring applications (good idea to let it sit for just a bit until some of the air bubbles are gone) or you can put it into the oven at 275 degrees in a pyrex measuring cup to keep it warm and at a pourable temperature if you're not ready to use right away
  • Pour left over isomalt into silicone ice cube/other trays to make small blocks of isomalt to store and use later
  • Put isomalt blocks you are storing into a small ziplock bag and then a larger ziplock bag with a food safe silica pouch for storage

Isomalt tips:

  • You can use add airbrush colors to color your melted isomalt to color it
  • Use a fan to cool your isomalt when you want it to dry/set quickly
  • Use a chef's torch to help rid surface of airbubbles and bring back glossiness
  • Use an edible spray shellac (PME and Chef Rubber have good ones) on all surfaces of the finished isomalt creation to keep it from getting cloudy, before handling too much
  • Do not put isomalt creations in the fridge (or risk cloudiness)

Check out this video tutorial on how to make modeling chocolate or this live session recording that is all about modeling chocolate and making a rose, too.

The only white (vanilla) cake recipe I’ll use, now, as it’s moist, dense, carves well, and is RIDICULOUSLY delicious! (Works great for cupcakes, too!) Just leave out the almond extract and substitute it for more vanilla if you want this to be a delicious vanilla cake!

The only chocolate cake recipe I’ll use, now, as it’s moist, dense, carves well, and is RIDICULOUSLY delicious! 

This is an adaptation of Lauren Kitchen's Easy Buttercream recipe. It's a little bit sweeter than her original recipe (but definitely not too sweet!) and works well for piping flowers and buttercream designs, as a buttercream underneath fondant (as it hardens in the fridge nicely to get those sharp edges on your fondant) or just left as a buttercream finish on your cake. It's my new favorite!

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Pure Isomalt Crystals - Non-GMO, Vegan, Kosher Certified - 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
Isomalt is perfect for sugar pulling and casting of all your sweet decorations (flowers, leaves, ribbons, etc...). It offers a higher resistance to humidity and stays flexible longer than regular sugar. There is no need for stabilizing acids. Isomalt creates a superior shine and will not crystallize like sugar. Isomalt does not get any coloration until reaching 190?C / 375?F. Isomalt can be colored like any usual sugar.
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ThermoPro TP-16 Digital Cooking Thermometer with Stainless Steel Temperature Probe, Large LCD Display, Standard, Silver
The ThermoPro TP-16 food thermometer enables inexperienced or experienced cooks to enjoy the simplest operation imaginable.
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Ateco 5357 Plain Edge Round Cutters
Ateco 5357 Plain Edge Round Cutters in Graduated Sizes, Stainless Steel, 11 Pc Set. Complete with a tin storage box to reduce clutter, this set of 11 round, stainless-steel cookie cutters comes in handy for all seasons. The cutters range in size from 3/4 inch high to 3-5/8 inches high, and they have rolled edges on top to protect fingers during the cutting process. They're constructed to be long-lasting and are dishwasher-safe.
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fluted cutter set
6-piece double sided round cutter set
Each cutter has a fluted side and a plain side
Cutters range in diameter from 2 inch - 4.5 inch
Constructed of quality, long lasting stainless steel
By Ateco – professional quality and quality design
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AmazonBasics Silicone Baking Mat Sheet, Set of 2
Made from durable, food-grade silicone that can be reused over and over, the flexible baking mats feature a nonstick surface that allows for effortless food removal. No extra greasing needed.
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Blow Torch, Professional Kitchen Cooking Torch with Safety Lock Adjustable Flame
When it comes to working in the kitchen, safety is key. That’s why we put our culinary torch through rigorous 3rd-party testing to ensure it meets industry standard safety guidelines.
✔ Our refillable butane kitchen torch comes equipped with a safety lock and a flame adjuster, allowing for optimal precision and control. And for added safety and reassurance, our torches always ship without gas!
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5 Gram Pack of 50 Dry & Dry Premium Pure & Safe Silica Gel Packets Desiccant Dehumidifiers
Great for storing medications, vitamins, seeds, nuts, beef jerky, snacks, cookies, & pet foods. Packets will prevent clumping of salt or sugar. Chips, crackers, and cereal won’t go stale and remain crispy .
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PME Edible Glaze Spray, 3oz
PME Edible glaze Spray 100ml. Use this edible glaze to bring shine and seal your Sugar art projects! Can be used on fondant, chocolate, gum paste, marzipan and other edible treats. Also applicable for Isomalt work. PME quality Product.
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detial brush set
Transon round watercolor paint brushes are also suitable for acrylics, inks and gouache. Round are great for detail, wash, fills, and thin to thick lines. Check seller name before purchase.
Professional round brushes - Made from GOAT HAIRS and HIGH-GRADE IMPORTED NYLON. NATURAL GOAT HAIRS have great liquid holding ability, SOFT and SMOOTH blending with high-grade nylon gives you perfect sable-like spring back and be able to hold its shape, more AFFORDABLE than genuine kolinsky and sable hair. These brushes do not compromise their quality.
Sturdy and Durable - Nickel plated copper ferrules, more DURABLE and double-crimped to the handle, NO WOBBLING.
Ergonomic - Well balanced wooden handle finished with champagne-colored metallic finish. Smooth touch, comfy control, it brings you great joy while painting.
Brushes come in 8 popular sizes:#0,#1,#2,#3,#4,#5,#6,#7, equivalent to common round size #1, #4, #5, #8, #9, #10, #12, #15 . Meet all your basic needs for round brushes.
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Edible Art Paints
Edible Art Decorative Paint by Sweet Sticks is a revolutionary product which is easy to use, quick drying and 100% edible. It can be used straight from the bottle to create masterpieces on fondant, modelling chocolate, butter cream, royal icing and more. Saving you both time and money, it will completely change the way you create.
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FMM Upper Case Block Alphabet & Number Tappit Cutters Set
Make beautiful sugar fondant shapes quickly and easily! This 2. 75 x 12.5 inch package contains four fondant cutters. Designed to create quick and easy letters and numbers. WARNING: Choking Hazard. Not suitable for children under 3 years. Imported.
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flexabet typewriter
Dimensions Lettering Height: Approx. 0.9 in. | 2.3 cm.
Explore this amazing silicone tool that cuts and molds perfect letters every time making what was once a hassle into a fun and easy project.
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Satin Ice Gumpaste
Satin Ice is a premium quality gum paste for creating incredible cakes for weddings, birthdays, novelty, and special-occasion cakes. It is used as a modeling paste to create decorative borders, flowers, figurines, drapes & bows.
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AMERICAN GOLD Disco Cake 5 GRAMS EACH CONTAINER
"Disco Cake" Dust has a larger grain than Pearl Dust or Sparkle Dust and this imparts a wet or dewy look to flowers. Ideal for use with gum paste or rolled fondant. Add a touch of color with lots of sparkle to your cakes. Non Toxic. 5g Net.
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Roxy & Rich Edible Hybrid Luster Dust Metallic Kit, 6 Colors
Roxy & Rich Edible Hybrid Luster Dust Metallic Kit, 6 Colors by Global Sugar Art.This special Metallic Kit contains the revolutionary Hybrid Luster & Pearl Dusts in the following colors: Bronze, Soft Gold, Aztec Gold, Nu Silver, Copper, and Natural Pearl. Each color bottle contains 2.5 grams. All dusts are FDA, Canada Health and EU approved colors.
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Edible Food Grade Flash Dust Glitter by NFD No Artificial Colors & Kosher Certified 3 Gram Sprinkler
This listing is for ONE 3 Gram Mini Sprinkler. Stop eating plastic and be in compliance with the FDA with our Flash Dust by NFD.This is as close to glitter as you will get that is both FOOD GRADE and FDA Compliant. Flash Dust by NFD is the ONLY Kosher Certified Glitter Dust made in the USA and uses NO ARTIFICIAL COLORANT.
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Wilton Clear Piping Gel, 10-Ounce
Pipe designs and messages or glaze cakes before icing. Use clear or tint with icing color. Try these other uses for piping gel: Stabilized whipped cream (whip pint heavy whipping cream to soft peak stage, add 2 tablespoons piping gel and continue to whip to stiff peaks), glaze fruit and baked goods; crumb coat cakes before covering with rolled fondant. 10 oz. Certified Kosher.
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gonicc 8 in. Professional Sharp Bypass Pruning Shears (GPPS-1002)
All of the Gonicc pruning shears adopted high quality materials and strict quality control. The blades made with Ultra-fine Polishing Technology and teflon or titanium coating, very sharp and prevent tree pulp adhesion caused by rust on the blades.
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swizzle sticks
Durable plastic: swizzle sticks are made of quality plastic, toxic free and odor free, safe to use, clear plastic pick stirrers with ball on top, unique design, disposable for easy clean up, or hand wash for reuse, great for daily using
Size: each plastic stick is about 18.1 cm/ 7 inch in length, great size fits most small coffee cups and disposable lid, which ideal for stirring your favorite cocktails and mixed drinks
Stir hot and cold drinks: plastic sticks in simple, popular and contemporary design has a knob at one end to keep fruit and vegetable garnishes in place, great for mixing drinks such as coffee, tea, mixed drinks, cocktails, hot chocolate, etc.