Cake! magazine by Australian Cake Decorating Network May 2014 | Page 56

Method: Mix the boiling water with the powder then beat on high speed for 3 minutes with an electric beater to form a firm consistency with soft peaks. Place about 2 heaped teaspoons of the mixture onto the silicone mat. Spread the mixture into the design using a paint scraper, ensuring all the crevices are filled in. The final scrape should be in one direction with a touch of pressure, thereby removing all excess mixture from the surrounding areas. Set: Leave to set till touch dry. Remove any thin “film” of the mixture which may be left on the mat by gently rubbing away with a damp soft cloth. Leave to dry. Setting time is dependent on the humidity and temperature. Can take from 1 hour to overnight. To speed up the setting time: Use a heat lamp overhead; place in a food dehydrator; place in the path of a fan or heater or in the sun. TIP: Colouring Liquid, gel or powder colouring can be added to the mixture after beating. Alternatively paint or airbrush the ready-made lace. For stunning effects, edible lustres, metallics and glitters can be dry brushed onto the mat before applying the mixture. Mix in the glycerine. Making the lace: Dust the mat with corn-starch using a large soft brush, or, for a silky finish, dust with edible lustres. TOP TIPS degrees oven set at 70 n s. in a convectio further 15 min Crystal Lace d leave for a mat with n 1) Place the mat on a cold off the oven a and place the 7 min. Switch r ven Centigrade fo ve from the o en it is cool. left on. Remo can be m the mat wh o The fan be removed fr h ace can only container whic surface. L in an airtight ce ns, dry the la ather conditio id we the container. 2) In very hum el Crystals in Silica G move from has a layer of rack. Do not re c ttle and it will first layer. d, it will be bri l moisten the wil is over-drie mixture which 3) If the lace other coat of ry. er apply an top layer is d the mat. Rath mat when the ce from the at. Remove the la ry and store fl ter, allow to d a in hot soapy w e mat: Wash 4) Re-using th