Are you ready to elevate your cakes and cupcakes with stunning decorations? This Gum Paste recipe is perfect for creating beautiful cake and cupcake toppers like carrot toppers and butterfly toppers which will wow your guests. These decorations will add a charming and whimsical touch to your occasion.
What is Gum Paste?
Gum paste is a pliable dough that is used for cake decorating. Though it is edible, I don’t suggest eating decorations made from gum paste or using it to cover your cakes, as it does dry quite hard and can be difficult to eat.
What is Tylose Powder?
Tylose powder / CMC (Carboxymethyl Cellulose) is a hardening agent commonly used to make gum paste. It provides the necessary strength and flexibility for detailed and durable cake decorations.
Tylose Glue Recipe
Tylose glue is an excellent, food-safe option for use with fondant and gum paste cake decorations. Whether you’re creating custom cake toppers, attaching polka dots to a fondant-covered cake, or even adhering sprinkles to a fondant border, this glue is a popular choice among cake decorators.
Instructions:
- Add just under ½ teaspoon of tylose powder to 1 cup / 250 ml / 8 fl oz of boiling water.
- The powder may clump initially, but leave it overnight to dissolve.
- Store the glue in a container with a lid and discard when it is no longer clear.
Tylose Glue: The Quick Method
In a pinch, you can quickly mix a small amount of Tylose powder with a few drops of boiling water in a bowl. While this method can work, it often results in an inconsistent texture compared to a properly measured and mixed solution.
For the best results, measure the Tylose powder and water carefully, mix them in advance, and allow the mixture to fully dissolve. This ensures a smooth, consistent glue that is more effective and easier to work with.
Important Tips for Gum Paste
- The paste dries quickly when exposed to air, so always keep it wrapped.
- If the paste develops a crusty edge, simply cut that part away; the rest is still usable.
- When rolling out the paste, rub a little Holsum/shortening on your work surface to prevent sticking.
- You can roll the paste very thinly for delicate decorations like petals or butterflies, using a fondant rolling pin.
Storage of Gum Paste
- Divide the paste into two balls and store them in small plastic bags or cling wrap. Place the wrapped paste in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Keep it refrigerated for up to 3 months.
Drying and Storing Decorations
- Use egg boxes, folded card, or foil to dry your cut-out pieces into the desired shapes.
- Store your finished decorations in cardboard boxes, not airtight plastic containers, to maintain their shape and texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Because you can roll Gum/CMC Paste out really thin, it is great for making flowers, butterflies, and all sorts of other delicate edible decorations. You can colour the paste with gel colours or powdered colours, or paint it once it has dried. It is ideal for a variety of cake decorating projects, from elegant wedding cakes to fun birthday cakes. This paste is perfect for any design you can imagine and will add a delightful personal touch and professional finish.
Gum Paste : How to make this Paste for Beautiful Cupcake and Cake Toppers
Ingredients
- 1 large egg white
- 2 cups / 240 grams / 8.46 ounces sifted icing sugar (approximately)
- 2 level tsp tylose powder / CMC (Carboxymethyl Cellulose) Available at baking supply stores
- Holsum White vegetable fat or shortening
Instructions
- In a small bowl, break up the egg white with a fork.
- Add 1 cup of sifted icing sugar to the egg white.
- Mix well. The consistency will be runny.
- Sprinkle the tylose powder on top of the mixture, then add ½ cup of icing sugar.
- Mix well with a fork. Gradually add more icing sugar until the paste becomes too stiff to mix with the fork.
- Turn the mixture onto a surface sprinkled with icing sugar.
- Rub some Holsum onto your hands, and knead the paste until it's non-sticky, adding more icing sugar as needed.
- Continue kneading until the paste is smooth.
Showcasing Toppers made with Gum Paste
I made realistic carrots with Gum Paste, adding a creative and professional finish to these delicious cupcakes. These simple toppers demonstrate the versatility that Gum Paste brings to cake decorating. Click here to follow my step-by-step instructions how to make these carrot toppers.
I would love to hear from you
Have you tried using Gum Paste for your cake decorations? Share your tips and creations in the comments below—I’d love to see what you’ve made!
Planning your next cake decorating project?
This DIY gum paste recipe is a must-have! Pin it now so you can find it when you need it. 📌
Bake Like a Pro – My Top Picks
The Wilton Large Fondant Rolling Pin is a 20-inch roller designed for evenly rolling large amounts of fondant, making it ideal for covering tiered cakes. It includes guide rings for consistent thickness and a smooth finish. Perfect for bakers working with fondant, gum paste, or dough.
The Wilton Gel Icing Colour Set includes highly concentrated gel-based food colours that provide vibrant shades without thinning your icing or batter. Perfect for decorating cakes, cookies, and other treats. These colours blend easily.
The Pyrex Simply Store 3-Pack includes durable glass food storage containers in 2-cup, 4-cup, and 7-cup sizes with BPA-free lids. These versatile containers are safe for the dishwasher, microwave, and freezer, making them perfect for meal prep, leftovers, and storage.
How do you store this and for how long?
Hi Anne. Gum paste should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 months. —just wrap it well in a small plastic bag or plastic wrap before sealing it in the container. Hope that helps!