Sugar Quill with Edible Ink and Parchment

**Before you go on to read this Instructable, please note that it includes several mini-projects. I apologize if it seems, at times, disjointed but, frankly, I'm experimenting as I go along.**

Of all of the candies mentioned in the Harry Potter series, none have I ever wanted more. Of all of those available at the Wizarding World theme park, none was a bigger disappointment. The most coveted, among myself and my nerdiest of friends, Honeydukes product has always been the Sugar Quill.

At the Wizarding World, you pay $3.95 for a chunky, feather-shaped lollipop.

I figured that I could do better.

This Instructable shows you the two different types of sugar quills that I came up with, as well as including bonus recipes for edible ink and parchment (rice paper) to complete the set and give you a real, tasty, and functioning sugar quill.

NOTE: It's not terribly practical, and attempting to mass-produce it may drive you to the brink of madness.

Let's begin!

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Step 1: Materials

We're going to break it down into parts. The first bits of the 'Ible will show you how to make the Ink and Paper, and the next bits will detail the making of each sugar quill, out of the (mostly) same base materials.

Materials for Ink:
Water-based beverage of choice (a dark fruit juice is recommended, like grape or, as I used, pomegranate)
Saucepan with Lid
Wooden Spoon
Microwave-Safe Bowl
Plastic Wrap
Bag of frozen vegetables
Refrigerator
Small container (optional)

Materials for Edible Parchment (Rice Paper):
Stock Pot with Lid
Rice Flour (glutinous works best if you can get it)
Water
Measuring Cup and Spoons
Spatula
Wooden Floral Hoop (or a Quilting Hoop), the same size of larger than your stockpot
Cheesecloth
Something to attach the cheesecloth to the wooden hoop (unless you actually use a quilting hoop)

Materials for Sugar Quills:
Sugar
Light Corn Syrup
Microwave-Safe Bowl
Silicone Spatula
Measuring Stuff
More plastic wrap
Knife and other shaping tools (you'll see)
Parchment or Wax Paper, or a Silicone Baking Liner
An actual calligraphy pen with removable tips¹
Sugru (or food-grade silicone if you can get it/are that concerned)¹
Corn starch¹

¹ Denotes something that I used in addition to the first attempt, in order to produce the second

instructable person 9 says: Jul 22, 2012. 1:57 PM

so simple and delicious

Popopopper says: Jul 3, 2012. 8:48 AM

for your next HP candy, can you make a super-sour acid pop?

HelloMuggles says: May 19, 2012. 4:05 AM

"Attempting to mass-produce it may drive you to the brink of madness." Then to the brink of madness I go! Im going to make loads of these, along with a dozen other types of sweets (fever fudge, chocolate frogs etc...)for my birthday :D I cant wait! I was so dissapointed when i saw that the sugar quills in WWoHP were just lollies, but these look amazing!

yallen says: May 17, 2012. 6:51 AM

If you use rice paper cut to shape with lines cut into or painted on with edible writing gel or food colouring you could have a feather that felt soft and light and moved almost like a real feather. Not as tasty as your idea though.

yallen says: May 17, 2012. 6:45 AM

Letting them cool at room temperature would make a stronger bond.

yallen says: May 17, 2012. 6:32 AM

Corn syrup is hard to find where I live but maybe I could melt hard boiled lollies?

yallen says: May 17, 2012. 6:29 AM

You could use cordial to skip this step. or use something like corn syrup to thicken the syrup easier. If you freeze the jar or container before adding the liquid it would cool down a lot faster. If you make the liquid thicker, from a juice that does not need refrigerating, you won't need to store it in the fridge. Even after opening it will have a such a high sugar content after boiling down that it should keep for a few weeks in the cupboard.

Dusk Shadows says: Apr 11, 2012. 1:35 AM

Your so amazing i don't know why reinzig is so cranky its awesome i'm making my own when i have the marathon of harry potter

a480641 says: Feb 12, 2012. 1:50 PM

if one was in a rush they could probably use store bought rice paper couldnt they?

Shany120 says: Jul 14, 2011. 3:11 PM

Im gonna make these for the premiere tonight! yum!

amoser says: Jun 25, 2011. 6:50 AM

Your soo smart! I love thiss soo much! Im gonna make these snacks for the midnight premier and give them to my friends and i to eat while the movie! THANKS A TON!!!<33

kathrynl says: Mar 14, 2011. 10:04 AM

This is brilliant! I've been wanting to experiment with this idea for awhile too. I love it! Thanks for putting up some great instructions.

yota (author) in reply to kathrynlMar 18, 2011. 10:43 PM

If you try your own version, I'd love to see what you come up with!

reinzig says: Mar 17, 2011. 6:06 PM

I don't get why you need to use a bag of frozen veggies...why can't you just put the mixture in the same glass container and put it in the fridge? And of course, in addition to not understanding, it seems like such a shame to waste a bag of frozen veggies!

yota (author) in reply to reinzigMar 18, 2011. 4:26 PM

Wow, you almost sound angry about this...

First of all, you use them, in the fridge, for about five minutes. They barely thaw in that time and I was able to put them back in the freezer for later use. And, yeah, maybe they might thaw too much in that time, but you can cook them afterwards! Why would you throw them out?!

You can also use an ice pack. Either way, the point is to achieve a rapid cool down; if you leave it to cool over a longer period of time, you leave it too warm, so it continues cooking and can easily burn. The purpose of putting it in a different bottle, as I did, was aesthetic, but either way it needs to be stored refrigerated and covered somehow.

I hope that that cleared things up.

reinzig in reply to yotaMar 18, 2011. 7:29 PM

So odd. I wasn't and am not angry in the least. It just seemed curious, and I honestly couldn't figure out why this step was necessary, so i just asked. I guess it also seemed kinda funny that it specified a bag of frozen veggies. Now that you say an ice back will work as well, and about the rapid cool down, it makes more sense to me. Thanks.

yota (author) in reply to reinzigMar 18, 2011. 10:42 PM

LOL, maybe angry wasn't the right word... Perhaps upset on behalf of my frozen corn..? :P

MonkeyBoy3217 says: Mar 15, 2011. 8:23 PM

So I made the mixture but its too hot to work with it when its about to harden. Then it hardens really quickly and I cant work with it. Any sugesstions?

yota (author) in reply to MonkeyBoy3217Mar 16, 2011. 8:51 AM

It does harden pretty quickly. It only took mine a few minutes to cool to a touchable temperature. Just keep an eye on it; keep your hand hovering above it where you're not quite touching but can still feel the heat to get an idea of its temperature and periodically poke it with a toothpick or something to test the consistency. When it's thick enough that you have a bit of trouble getting the toothpick out, that should be good, temperature allowing. Also, even if it's a little stiff, the heat from your hands and your constant working of the candy should keep it pliable enough. I will admit, I did have to work fast to get it right.

Good luck and thanks for viewing!

Biggsy says: Mar 13, 2011. 4:06 PM

It's abit macarbe to say so maybe..... but in you last step/picture... the rice paper looks like flesh that has been carved into

very cool well done

high five for you