Sunday, April 17, 2011

Piped Peeps on Cupcakes


Piped Peeps on Cupcakes
I love peeps and cupcakes. There is really no need for icing to get in the way.
I used an Ateco # 805 and piped directly onto mini cupcakes. 

Then I sprinkled them with sanding sugar.
The recipe says to use the marshmallow immediately. 
I managed to decorate 16 cupcakes before the marshmallow was to set-up to pipe.
Be careful direction you pull the tip away, or you might make an elephant, instead of a peep.
The recipe I used was from Martha Stewart.

Marshmallow for Piping

Use this recipe to make our homemade marshmallow treats.
Martha Stewart Living, Volume 89 April 2001
  • Yield Makes about 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 unflavored gelatin (2 1/2 teaspoons)
  • 1/3 cup cold water, for gelatin, plus 1/4 cup for syrup
  • 1 cup sugar

Directions

  1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, sprinkle gelatin over 1/3 cup cold water. Allow gelatin to soften, about 5 minutes.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup water and sugar, and stir over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved. Stop stirring, and place a candy thermometer into sugar water; wipe sides of pan with a wet brush if sugar crystals have splattered up. Boil sugar until temperature reaches the soft-ball stage (238 degrees). Remove syrup from heat; add to softened gelatin. Using the whisk attachment of an electric mixer, hand-stir the mixture a few minutes to cool; place bowl on the mixer stand. Beat on medium high with the whisk attachment until soft peaks form and the marshmallow mixture holds shape, 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Transfer marshmallow mixture to a large (14-inch) pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch (No. 11 Ateco) tip, and use immediately.
There is a step by step picture tutorial here:

http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/sugar-coated-marshmallow-bunnies-and-chicks

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Fantasy Fondant Flowers

Use two different round cutters and a gumpaste/fondant mixture,
commonly referred to as 50/50 paste.
 


Roll out paste very thin on a board dusted with cornstarch to prevent sticking.

Use a ball tool and a foam pad to soften the edges by rolling them.

Dry the circles on a flower former.
Make a variety of styles.

Centers for the flowers are made using the gemstone mold from First Impressions Molds.
Attach all of the flower pieces using edible glue or piping gel.
Flower center molds can also be used.