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Learn how to make edible gelatin baubles

26th April 2017 by Lindy Smith

Edible gelatin baubles, or bubbles if you prefer, are a really effective eye-catching cake decoration. I know this as whenever I decorate a cake with these baubles, everyone seems totally fascinated by them. The visiting crowds of cake decorators at last weekend’s Cake International show at Alexandra Palace in London were no exception, they seemed equally enthralled by the ‘bauble’ cakes on my stand.  The gelatin bauble demonstration I gave, received a wonderful response, a packed out theatre, lots of good questions plus lovely comments and thank you’s afterwards. One delightful lady even said:

“That was the best demonstration I’ve ever been too“

A big thank you to everyone. I love to inspire and teach and feedback like this certainly spurs me on.

Fuchsia pink and metallic edible gelatin baubles adorn this striking chocolate drip cake
Fuchsia pink and metallic yellow edible gelatin baubles decorate Lindy’s chocolate drip cake

Gelatin Baubles – fun and easy to make

I promised at the show that I’d share with you how to make these highly attractive edible gelatin baubles. Gelatin baubles are nothing new, I first saw them featured in an Australian cake decorating magazine, about 10 years ago but never got around to experimenting until last year. Why did I wait so long? They are fun to make and unlike most handcrafted three-dimensional cake decorations they are really easy. You just need a little patience whilst the gelatin is drying.

Gelatin baubles make excellent cake toppers
Gelatin baubles make excellent cake toppers

Ingredients and equipment to make edible gelatin baubles

You will need:

  • Powdered gelatin – I use Dr Oetker packets, click the link to see
  • Water
  • Edible liquid food colours or dusts
  • Solid white vegetable fat (eg Trex or Crisco)
  • Small white balloons – click the link to see the ones I use
  • Cocktail sticks
  • Masking tape
  • Cake dummy or similar – used in the drying process

1:2 ratio – gelatin to water

It doesn’t matter how much mix you make but what does matter is that you use a ratio of one part gelatin to two parts water. So if you want just a few baubles mix 1 tablespoon of gelatin to 2 tablespoons of water. I usually mix up at least 2 tablespoons gelatin with 4 tablespoons of water but suggest you experiment with small quantities and then multiply up.

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Colouring the edible gelatin baubles

The easiest way to colour your baubles is to replace some of the water with water-based liquid food colour or airbrush colours, I have found that magic colours airbrush colours work really well, as used on my chocolate drip cake above. To make metallic baubles either use metallic airbrush colours or alternatively add edible lustre dusts into the mixture once it has melted.

How to make the baubles

My video, originally film live on Facebook, shows you how I make my edible gelatin baubles, so please sit back, learn and enjoy.

Summary

  • Blow up the balloons and tie the ends.
  • Secure balloons to cocktail sticks with tape.
  • Smear each balloon with white vegetable fat – VERY IMPORTANT
  • Put gelatin and water in a bowl and allow to bloom – go spongy. Remember you can replace some of the water with liquid colour to colour the baubles.
  • Melt the mixture in a microwave – 10 – 20 seconds depending on how much mixture you are melting. Keep a close eye and check every 5 seconds or so.
  • Colour with dust if required.
  • Dip balloon into the gelatin and cover, like you would a toffee apple.
  • Place upright to dry.
  • Once dry unwrap tape and remove the balloon.
Edible gelatin baubles drying
Edible gelatin baubles slowly drying

Learn more skills…

I hope you have as much fun as I do making these highly effective gelatin baubles. If you’d like to learn about other cake decorating techniques why not take a look at my FREE TUTORIALS to see what else you could learn.

Sweet wishes

Lindy

‘Bringing world-class sugarcraft into your kitchen’

Filed Under: Cake Shows & Events, FREE Tutorials, Sugar Recipes Tagged With: gelatin baubles, gelatin bubbles, how to recipe

About Lindy Smith

Award winning, best-selling author and sugarcraft artist, who loves to design beautiful colourful cakes, inspire, teach and supply you with gorgeous products.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Teri says

    16th November 2017 at 1:32 am

    Thank you Lindy for this tutorial! I had no idea how these were constructed – great presentation, as usual!!
    I am anxious to make these now 🙂

    Yours truly,
    Teri in sunny Southern California

  2. Lindy Smith says

    16th November 2017 at 11:44 am

    So pleased you feel inspired Teri 😀

  3. Chiara Davis says

    26th November 2017 at 4:32 pm

    Hi Lindy

    Can you put these directly into a cake covered in buttercream?

  4. Lindy Smith says

    29th November 2017 at 5:22 pm

    Hi Chiara
    I would have thought they would be fine, however the only way to know for sure is to try 😀

  5. Sandra potter says

    16th December 2017 at 6:44 am

    I want to know how far in advance can you make these and how long do they last please

  6. Lindy Smith says

    17th December 2017 at 5:26 pm

    Hi Sandra
    They last absolutely ages, I have some that I made last Christmas and they still look as good as new 😀

  7. Karen says

    5th January 2018 at 8:40 pm

    Hi Lindy. Just wondered where you got your balloons from? I’m not sure which ones to buy. Thanks.

  8. Lindy Smith says

    22nd January 2018 at 12:36 pm

    Hi Karen
    I bought small party balloons by searching the web. You need the smallest you can buy and I suggest you try and find them in white – it’s easier to see colours!

  9. Grazina says

    4th October 2018 at 7:04 am

    These baubles look beautiful. I don’t have a microwave, how can I make them?

  10. Lindy Smith says

    7th October 2018 at 5:03 pm

    Hi Grazina
    No problem, you can easily melt the gelatin in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Have fun 😀

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