For all you bakers and pastry chefs out there I am sure you have visited your local cake supply store and have come across Isomalt sticks or edible jewels to decorate your cake with.  To be honest I had never heard of isomalt until I watched a particular program on the Food Network and the gentleman literally made these cupcake topping masterpieces using Isomalt in a matter of seconds.  I was so fascinated I Googled what exactly what Isomalt was and I bought a bag the next day!

Pastry chefs usually use this to make sugar pieces for art purposes, although these isomalt jewels are edible they are NOT to be consumed in large amounts.  Remember, isomalt is just a sugar substitute.  They are mainly used for decor.  I wanted to try my hand at making them today and glad I did! I literally did this in less than 5 minutes. So easy! Here is what you’ll need:

• 1 cup of isomalt
• non stick pot or pan
• candy thermometer 
• gloves (to protect your hands) PRECAUTION: YOU CAN GET 2nd and 3rd DEGREE BURNS IF YOU’RE NOT CAREFUL WORKING WITH THE ISOMALT!
• parchment paper for piping (click HERE to see how to assemble)
• silicone mat 
• silicone mold 

If you are using the isomalt STICKS you can just pop those in the microwave for about 30 seconds or until melted.  For those using the isomalt crystals all you do is turn your stove on high and place the isomalt in the pot with the stove on.  After about 2 minutes the isomalt should be boiling and you need to turn the heat OFF and then wait for the crystals to become liquid form.

Just use your parchment paper as a piping bag (DO NOT USE PLASTIC PIPING BAG! the hot isomalt will burn through the plastic) and drop small amounts on your silicone mat. Let dry for a few minutes and you have little ‘diamonds’.  I also used a silicone mold for the roses which they popped out the mold pretty easy.

For a better visual step by step tutorial this is a pretty good video HERE

Now you can make your own ‘diamonds’ and ‘gems’!

UPDATE: I’ve been playing around with Isomalt for a few days and decided to make little sugar sculptures as decor for my cupcakes. So easy and fun!