Sugar Molds - for Cupcakes and Decorations

Sweet versatile edible decoration for any holiday or birthday. The sky is the limit. There are so many molds to choose from online,at stores like Target,Michaels and cake supply stores. Heck, I even get alot of mine from the dollar store.

Ideas you can use your sugar molds for:

*cupcake toppers
*decorations for cakes
*decorations around the house
*seasonal decorations for parties
*cake dummies
*props for birthday parties
*seasonal gifts
*sugar cubes
*portion control your sugar (it would be so cute to have small fowers for your guests coffee for a nice brunch or dinner party)

Different kinds of molds:

silicone ice trays
metal molds
soap molds
plastic molds
chocolate molds
silicone molds
make your own molds     link here
shaped containers that candy was in see pic below-the bunny,heart
cake pans
character cake pans
even cookie cutters

Thank you for looking. Please check out my other instructables.

Step 1: All You Need Is a Few Things

sugar
water
mold of your choice


Optional items:
edible air brush paint
royal icing
luster dust
food gel coloring
heck you could probably even acrylic paint  or spray paint if you want to use it as a non edible decoration.

Step 2: Preparing the Sugar

 I have seen recipes that call for sugar, water, and cream of tarter. But you dont need the cream of tarter.I never use it. Save it for something else. All you have to do is pour the desired amount of sugar that you want to use into a bowl and add a little bit of water at a time. Mix really well and when the sugar feels like slightly damp sand and when you squeeze the sugar in your hand and open it and the sugar holds the shape of your fist being closed on it, you are ready to mold it.

If you want to dye your sugar before you mold it, add the food coloring in at the same time as you add the water. you will see little dark spots of color so mix real well or just make sure that those spots arent going to be seen on the mold. 

Step 3: Mold the Sugar

Grab your desired mold and start putting some sugar in it. Pack it in all over. Fill it about half way, then really push down to get it packed really tightly. Now add more, fill it to the top of the mold. Pack tightly. Make sure that the level of the sugar is flat with the top of the mold so that when you unmold it ,it doesnt "fall" a little and break. If it does break at this point just stuff it back in and try again.

Place a plate or cardboard or something flat against the sugar/mold then flip it over and now you can see the shape of your sugar mold. Let dry for at least 5 hours.I suggest overnight just to be on the safe side.

Step 4: Decorate As Desired

You can...

Airbrush it with edible airbrush paint

Cover it with frosting or royal icing and add lots of details

Use luster dust to give it soft colors (this method doesnt produce bold colors)

Piping gel and Wilton decorating icing in a tube also do good for small details.

Or maybe you already died the sugar before you molded it

I hope you have as much fun decorating with this method as much as I have.