Christmas Lights- SWEET! by Jen Dontz

 

This  tutorial is a step by step on making the isomalt Christmas lights.  Super easy to do and very, very pretty!  These lights can be strung on a cake or used individually on cupcakes.  Either way, they are sure to please!
 

ISOMALT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

1.  I'm using our large Christmas lights mold (we also have a tiny one, too).  Also, the small silicone cup and clear isomalt sticks.  We also carry clear isomalt nibs if you prefer. If you click on a picture on our website, it will take you to the information/order page where you will see measurements for the molds.





2.  ALWAYS ALWAYS use protective gloves.  Hot sugar STICKS to skin and will continue to burn.  You can peel a glove off quickly, but not your skin.  We have some wonderful protective gloves by Cake Play.  See here.   We carry these gloves in three sizes, small, medium and large.  

Melt your isomalt in the microwave.  I use 50% power and check it every 30 seconds or so.  This is sugar so it can burn, don't over nuke :-)  I run a stick through it JUST to make sure all is melted.  I should be bubbling. 

 

 I did color this clear mix by adding a drop of Americolor to it.  Gel coloring is recommended, not liquid or powder.  Shake your Americolors up well before using.  Add the color once it comes out of the microwave and is bubbling.  You will hear the color sizzle on top of the bubbling sugar.  Wait until it stops sizzling and the water is burned out of it, then gently stir into the isomalt.

 

  You also can add disco dust at this point if you want a glittery finished piece.  We have a nice variety of discos available. Let the mix sit on the counter a few minutes until most of the bubbles have come to the top and popped. 

 

 Gently pour into your molds.  I take a toothpick and make sure all the sugar is stuck to all the nooks and crevices.  

 

~One helpful tip~

 If you find your sugar is hardening faster than you can get it to all the nooks, you can warm your mold in the microwave at 50% power for about 20 seconds.  Starting with a warm mold will give you a longer "work" time to spread the sugar.  

 

Another thing you can do is put the mold on a heating pad and warm it that way.  That will give you even more work time.  No need to add anything to the mold like a grease.  Leave the mold as is.




3.  Unmold the lights.  You usually can tell when they are ready to be unmolded if the mold is no longer warm to touch on the backside.

4.  Now it's time to torch them if you want them crystal clear.  Any food grade silicone mold will "gas" and create a ever so soft texture on your piece.  By taking a creme brulee type torch and gently torching the surface, it will clarify it.  This is the torch I purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond (don't forget your coupon :-)  You also can use a grill lighting type Aim N Flame but those are harder to use because they can burn the sugar easier.  At least that is my experience. 

 

 Hold the sugar piece with a pair of tweezers and move it closer and closer to the flame until you can see it clarify.  Be careful not to burn it.  Safety is first and foremost here friends...PLEASE read the instructions for your torch!!



5.  Next, I took my sugarcraft gun with the small string disk and piped out two lines of fondant.  I colored this using avocado Americolor.  You also can use gumpaste as well.




6.  Let the strings dry just a little and then twist them together like a real light string would be.


7. I like to paint the socket part with silver hi-liter dust.  Simply mix some dust with vodka, I do this in the lid.  Mix to the consistency of maple syrup.  Then paint the socket part.  Let the dust completely dry in the cap before putting the cap back on your container.  In doing this, no dust is wasted.  You can see the difference of the torched lights, two on left, and the not torched, on right.




8.  Here they are!!  As always when using isomalt, we recommend you place your pieces on the cake the day of the party.  

 

 

You can make them far in advance, but you need to store them in an airtight container with desiccant packets.  These will keep your pieces crystal clear.  Humidity can affect your pieces so that's why we recommend placing the day of the party and using the desiccant packets.

Tutorial by Jennifer Dontz

owner of SugarDelites

all rights reserved 2012

This material may not be reproduced in any form with 

expressed permission from the author.