Creating Sugar Lace Wedding Cakes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Sugar lace is a delicate, intricate, and elegant way to decorate cakes, especially wedding cakes. It is an ultra-flexible and easy-to-use decorative lace that is taking the cake-decorating world by storm. Sugar laces are easy to make and give your cakes professional-looking designs, ideal if you want to give your cake creations that impressive finish every time. The delicate lace design is perfect for weddings, baby showers, and celebration cakes.

There are multiple ways to make sugar lace paste. Some recipes include meringue powder, but there are also vegan options. The sugar lace gets its firmness and elasticity from tylose powder and a bit of corn syrup. You can also use pre-made lace mix or even pre-made paste.

Choosing the right lace mats

Size and Design:

Start by considering the size of your cake and the desired level of detail. Lace mats come in various sizes, from small accent mats to large sheets that produce full sheets of lace. If you're creating a multi-tiered wedding cake, you may need multiple mats of different sizes to accommodate the varying diameters of each tier. As for the design, lace mats offer a wide range of patterns, including floral, geometric, and vintage styles. Choose a design that complements the overall theme and style of your wedding cake.

Material:

Silicone is the most common material for lace mats due to its flexibility and ease of use. Silicone mats are durable, non-stick, and simple to clean. They can also withstand a wide range of temperatures, making them suitable for use in the oven or freezer. When working with sugar lace, ensure your lace mat is made of food-grade silicone to guarantee food safety.

Thickness:

Lace mats come in different thicknesses, and this factor will impact the amount of mixture you need and the drying time. Thicker mats, similar to those used for fondant, will require more of your sugar lace mixture to fill in the details. On the other hand, thinner lace mats are designed specifically for sugar lace and will produce more delicate results.

Ease of Release:

When selecting a lace mat, consider how easy it is to release the sugar lace from the mat. Look for mats with a smooth surface and flexible design, as these characteristics will make it easier to peel off the delicate lace without tearing or sticking. User reviews can be a great source of information for determining how well a particular lace mat releases the sugar lace.

Cost and Availability:

Lace mats vary in price, and while cost shouldn't be the only factor in your decision, it's important to consider your budget. Additionally, consider the availability of the lace mat. Opt for mats that are readily available from reputable suppliers or online retailers to ensure you can access them when needed.

User Reviews:

Don't underestimate the power of user reviews! Reading reviews from fellow bakers who have used specific lace mats can provide valuable insights into their performance, ease of use, and overall satisfaction. Pay attention to both positive and negative reviews to identify any potential issues or advantages that may influence your decision.

Remember, creating sugar lace for wedding cakes requires some practice and experimentation. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't turn out perfectly. With the right lace mat and a bit of patience, you'll be crafting exquisite sugar lace decorations in no time!

Preparing the sugar lace mixture

Sugar lace is an ultra-flexible decorative lace that is perfect for wedding cakes. It is easy to make and will give your cake a professional finish.

To make the sugar lace mixture, you will need the following ingredients:

• Tylose powder
• Boiling water
• Powdered sugar/icing sugar
• Cornstarch/cornflour
• Light corn syrup/liquid glucose
• White gel food colouring or any other food colouring of your choice

First, add the tylose powder to the boiling water and mix with a small fork until you get a clear mixture. This may take around 5-10 minutes. The mixture should be translucent and free of any lumps of white powder.

Next, add the powdered sugar and cornstarch and mix again. You can sift all the remaining dry ingredients together and then add them to the mixture.

Then, add the corn syrup. At this stage, you can also add the food colouring. Mix well until you have a smooth, lump-free mixture.

The sugar lace mixture can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you are not using it immediately, cover and leave it at room temperature.

When you are ready to use the mixture, spread it thinly and evenly onto a clean, dry lace mat using a spatula. Remove any excess mixture with the spatula or a bench scraper.

The drying process can be done in an oven or by air-drying. For oven drying, place the mat in the oven at a low temperature (around 60-70°C) for about 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on it, as leaving it for too long or at too high a temperature will cause the lace to become brittle.

Alternatively, you can air-dry the lace overnight or until it releases itself from the mat. This method is preferable if you want to avoid the risk of the lace becoming too brittle.

Filling in the lace mat

Step 1: Prepare the Sugar Lace Mixture

Before filling the lace mat, ensure that you have prepared your sugar lace mixture. There are various recipes available, but a common ingredient is tylose powder, which provides firmness and elasticity to the mixture. You can also add corn syrup for extra elasticity and meringue powder for a vegan option. The mixture should have a thick, spreadable consistency.

Step 2: Work in Small Sections

Take a small amount of the sugar lace mixture and work on filling one section of the lace mat at a time. This ensures that you don't overload the mat and allows you to focus on getting the details right.

Step 3: Spread and Smooth the Mixture

Using a small offset spatula, carefully spread and smooth the mixture onto the lace mat. Work in multiple directions, pressing down and filling in all the nooks and crannies of the design. Ensure that you get the mixture into every detail of the mat to create a precise and intricate pattern.

Step 4: Scrape Off Excess Mixture

Once you have completely filled in the section of the mat, use a bench scraper to scrape off any excess mixture. Be careful not to scrape too much, as you could accidentally pull the sugar lace out of the mat.

Step 5: Fill in Gaps and Repeat

After scraping off the excess, you may notice some gaps in the lace design. Simply fill these gaps with additional mixture and scrape off the excess again. Repeat this process until the entire mat is filled in and there are no gaps or missing details.

Step 6: Dry the Sugar Lace

After you have filled in the lace mat completely and removed the excess mixture, it's time to dry your sugar lace. You can choose to air-dry it overnight or place it in the oven at a low temperature (around 170°F or 60°C) for about 7-15 minutes. Keep an eye on it to avoid over-baking, as this will make the lace brittle. The center of the mat might still be tacky, so you can let it air-dry for a couple of hours after removing it from the oven.

Tips:

• A little bit of the sugar lace mixture goes a long way, so work with small amounts at a time.
• If you notice gaps or missing details after drying, you can fill them in with additional mixture and scrape off the excess again.
• When drying the sugar lace, it's crucial to find the right balance between drying time and temperature to avoid making the lace too brittle or dry.

By following these steps and paying attention to the details, you will create beautiful and intricate sugar lace that will elevate the look of your wedding cakes.

Drying the sugar lace

Drying Techniques:

• Oven Drying: Preheat your oven to a low temperature, ideally between 170°F and 110°F (60°C). Place the filled lace mat on a baking sheet and bake until the edges of the lace are dry. This usually takes around 7 to 15 minutes, depending on your oven. Keep a close eye on it to avoid over-baking, as this can make the lace brittle. If the center is still tacky after the initial baking, continue to air dry it.
• Air Drying: Sugar lace can also be air-dried overnight. However, this method requires careful monitoring, as the lace can dry out quickly and become brittle.

Tips for Successful Drying:

• Thick Paste: When applying the sugar lace paste to your mat, aim for a thick consistency. A thicker paste will dry quicker and result in a stronger lace design.
• Filling the Lace Mat: Work in small sections, using a spatula to smooth and press the paste into all the nooks and crannies of the mat. Scrape off any excess paste with a bench scraper, and fill in any gaps.
• Drying Time: The drying time will vary depending on the climate conditions in your environment. In humid climates, the lace may take longer to dry, while in dry climates, it may dry faster.
• Storage: Once the lace is dry, carefully remove it from the mat and store it between parchment papers in an airtight container, such as a cardboard box. This will help prevent the lace from drying out and becoming brittle.
• Experimentation: Don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't turn out perfectly. Creating sugar lace is a creative process that requires some trial and error. Experiment with different drying times and techniques to find what works best for your specific conditions.

Applying the sugar lace to the cake

Applying sugar lace to a cake is a delicate process, but it's not too tricky. First, brush a thin layer of clear piping gel or edible adhesive onto your chilled cake. Carefully place the lace onto the gel, ensuring that the bottom of the lace lines up with the bottom of the cake. Work in small sections, supporting the lace with your free hand.

If you find any areas that need more gel, carefully apply more behind the lace. Once the sugar lace comes into contact with the piping gel, it will become quite delicate, and you will not be able to adjust it much. If you need to press the lace onto the cake, use the end of a paintbrush.

It is likely that your sugar lace will not completely wrap around the cake. To fill in any gaps, trim a second piece of lace to fit. First, measure the gap, then look at the pattern of the lace. Trim the sugar lace so that the pattern matches, leaving it a little long so that you can always trim more once it's on the cake.

If the bottom of your lace doesn't line up perfectly, you can hide any gaps by adding a border of fondant pearls.

Frequently asked questions