Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Hi. Has anyone had any experience in creating a silky/shiny finish to a whole cake by dusting with lustre? I recently saw an American video on youtube where the cake was lightly covered in white shortening, followed by a heavy dusting of lustre. This gave an amazing shiny finish. I was just wondering if any of the UK experts an any ideas. Thanks

Many thanks indeed for your help with this, great advice. This is the link, well worth a watch for anyone who hasn’t had a go yet. I will certainly have a few goes as suggested. Thanks again.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoCjQoVeR2E

Hi nain0830

Yes, this produces a lovely silky fabric sheen on fondant. If you’ve already seen a video on how it’s done you’ll know to smear the shortening on evenly. The lustre can be applied with a soft round brush similar to a makeup powder brush. I also use soft sponge depending on the look I want. Play with a piece of spare fondant to get the technique right. You have to work in circular movement with the brush or sponge, really getting the lustre into the shortening covered fondant to make it shine. I use this technique a lot when making drapes, swags or folds. It really makes the fondant look like fabric and the fondant/gumpaste stays soft and silky. You can also use an imprint mat on the lustred surface and then gently dust the pattern to make it pop out. I’ve made some fabulous patterns with different coloured lustres by blending them in. Have a practice, it’s really lovely. Blend in small circular movements for even coverage. If you want a blotchy appearance make the movement a little wider. I compare it to polishing my leather settee! Once you know how much pressure to apply try it out on a small trial cake. Don’t touch freshly lustred surface because it leaves marks, it does settle down overnight. Would you share the youtube video? Other members might be interested.

Thanks for posting the link nain0830. I don’t use quite as much shortening, perhaps I should! The technique I use was shown to me by a Satin Ice cake decorating instructor at the ExCel cake show in London. It really is great. Make sure your lustrs are edible, some like the Super lustres are not. Take a look also at Faye Cahill’s tutorial http://www.cakeflix.com/online-cake-decorating-courses/shimmering-lace-wedding-cake
Paul has pinned lovely shimmery cakes, take a look here http://www.cakeflix.com/blog
Some lovely mouth watering designs which I’m going to practice. Enjoy playing! x