Creating Wedding Cake Flavored Snow Cone Syrup

Wedding cake-flavored snow cone syrup is a delightful treat that brings back memories of fun. It is a blend of vanilla, almond, cake, and frosting flavors, with no chemical or artificial aftertaste. You can make this syrup at home by purchasing a flavor concentrate and adding water and sugar. You can also buy ready-made syrup online.

Ready-to-use vs. concentrate

Ready-to-use snow cone syrup is a convenient option for those who want to save time and effort in making their own syrup. It is pre-mixed and ready to pour over shaved ice, saving you the trouble of mixing concentrates and simple syrup. This is a good option for those who want to save time during busy periods, or for those who are not confident in their ability to mix the correct ratio of concentrate and simple syrup.

On the other hand, concentrate offers more flexibility in terms of flavour intensity and allows you to make larger quantities of syrup at a lower cost. With concentrate, you have the option to adjust the flavour strength to your preference. For those who are more price-conscious, concentrate is a more affordable option, as a small amount goes a long way. For example, a 4 fl oz bottle of Hypothermias Wedding Cake concentrate can make 1 gallon of ready-to-use syrup, which is enough for 64 servings.

However, using concentrate does require more time and effort, as you need to mix it with simple syrup before use. This extra step also requires additional tools and ingredients, such as a mixing container and a long-handled spoon or paddle. It is also important to note that using more concentrate than recommended will not improve the flavour and may have the opposite effect.

Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you are short on time and want a convenient option, ready-to-use syrup is a good choice. However, if you are looking for a more cost-effective option and are willing to put in the extra effort, concentrate may be the better choice.

Ingredients and allergens

To make wedding cake-flavored snow cone syrup, you will need the following ingredients:

• Water
• High fructose corn syrup
• Citric acid
• Sodium benzoate
• Natural and artificial flavors

This syrup is suitable for those with food allergies as it is nut-free, soy-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, starch-free, flour-free, and egg-free. The syrup also does not require refrigeration and has a shelf life of 2 to 3 years.

Alternatively, you can make the syrup using a flavor concentrate, which requires the following ingredients:

• Water
• Natural and artificial flavors
• Propylene glycol
• Citric acid
• Sodium citrate
• Xanthan gum
• Potassium sorbate
• Sodium benzoate
• Anti-foam

To make a gallon of syrup using the flavor concentrate, you will need to add 1/2 gallon (64 fl. oz) of water, 5 pounds of sugar, 4 fl. oz of flavor concentrate, and then fill the rest with water up to the gallon mark (128 fl. oz). Stir well before serving.

The flavor concentrate has a shelf life of 1-2 years when unmixed.

Storage and shelf life

The shelf life of your wedding cake-flavored snow cone syrup will depend on a few factors, including the ingredients used, storage conditions, and whether the syrup is opened or unopened.

Unopened Syrup:

If you've made a large batch and haven't opened the container yet, you can expect your syrup to last for quite some time. Unopened snow cone syrup, when stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, can last up to one year. This is because direct sunlight and heat can cause the color of the syrup to fade and shorten its shelf life.

Opened Syrup:

Once the container is opened, the shelf life decreases significantly. If stored at room temperature, the syrup should be consumed within one week to ensure freshness and safety. Storing the opened syrup in the refrigerator will extend its life to about six months, and putting it in the freezer will give it a shelf life of about one year.

Extending Shelf Life:

To get the most out of your wedding cake-flavored syrup, you can take some additional steps to extend its shelf life:

• Storage Conditions: Store the syrup in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or cabinet, away from direct sunlight and heat. This will keep the flavors intact and prevent degradation.
• Air-Tight Containers: Place the syrup in an airtight container to prevent external contaminants like bacteria and dust from getting in and to limit exposure to air.
• Clean Utensils: Always use clean utensils when handling the syrup to avoid introducing contaminants into the container.
• Sealed Bottles: Ensure that the cap is tightly sealed after each use. This prevents air from entering and compromising the flavors.
• Natural Preservatives: Citric acid and sodium benzoate are effective preservatives for snow cone syrup. Stirring them into the syrup separately can extend its shelf life by up to 6 months. Additionally, adding a small amount of lemon juice as a natural preservative can inhibit bacterial growth and extend the shelf life.

Signs of Spoilage:

Even with proper storage, your wedding cake-flavored snow cone syrup won't last forever. Keep an eye out for these signs that your syrup has gone bad:

• Texture: If the syrup appears gritty or clumpy, it's no longer safe to consume.
• Water Layer: The presence of a water layer on top of the syrup indicates that it has absorbed moisture, which can lead to mold growth and changes in taste and texture.
• Unusual Smell: An unusual or unpleasant odor is a tell-tale sign that your syrup has spoiled.
• Color Changes: Keep an eye out for any significant deviations from the syrup's original color, as this may indicate that it has gone bad.

Remember, while these guidelines are helpful, the exact shelf life of your wedding cake-flavored snow cone syrup may vary depending on the specific ingredients and storage conditions. Always use your best judgment and, if in doubt, perform a small taste test to ensure the syrup is still safe to consume.

Mixing instructions

To make wedding cake-flavored snow cone syrup, you will need the following ingredients:

• Water
• High fructose corn syrup
• Natural and artificial flavoring
• Citric acid
• Sodium benzoate

Optional preservatives include:

• Propylene glycol
• Sodium citrate
• Xanthan gum
• Potassium sorbate
• Anti-foam
• Add 1/2 gallon (64 fl. oz) of water to a mixing container.
• Add 5 pounds of sugar to the water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Pour in 4 fl. oz of wedding cake flavor concentrate.
• Stir the mixture until well combined.
• Fill the remainder of the container with water until you reach the 1-gallon mark (approximately 128 fl. oz).
• Stir the mixture again to ensure all ingredients are combined.
• If desired, add preservatives to extend the shelf life of the syrup.
• Store the syrup in a cool, dark place. Refrigeration is not necessary.

The syrup should have a guaranteed shelf life of 1 year. However, if you add preservatives, the shelf life can be extended. Always check the syrup's consistency, color, and taste before using it, especially if it has been stored for an extended period.

Customer reviews

"Never tasted any other flavor like this before. I wasn't sure how I felt at first, but it definitely grew on me."

"I recommend this product. Rated 4 out of 5 stars."

"I liked that there is no dye, but for me, the cheese is too sweet, as for the price, it is quite acceptable."

"The flavor is ok... more like an over-sweet artificial banana taste. I'll still use it with chocolate syrup."

"I love the flavor. Tastes great."

"I got the wrong flavor but still used it, it is easy to mix and great value."

"The preparation was easy but consistency too watery, I don’t know if in PR it is more like a syrup than a juice. But the taste is great and makes more than 64oz; the best part is you can add the amount of sugar you want!"

"I almost want to say it tastes like melting plastic smells, if that makes any sense. I don't know much else to say besides it's horrible."

"The smell of this product is horrible, but it doesn’t taste the worst. Not exactly a mango flavor, but more of a weird mix of mango and chemical."

"The smell is very sweet without any sugar and the taste, so long as you use a small amount, is very realistic."

Frequently asked questions