441775 Sun Sep 16 09:35:53 -0700 2007 9 31 Home Cooking 0 2946112 hey ya'll i'm working on my fiancee's grooms cake and i'm trying a new medium i have never used and was hoping someone could give me some tips on applying "gold dust' or luster dust. i just can't make it work and i'm running out of time HELP Sun Sep 16 09:35:53 -0700 2007 127721 Tashia 1 2946229 what are you trying to apply the luster dust to? buttercream frosting or fondant? how are you applying it and what's the problem? normally, you'd use a small brush to apply it, and depending on the effect you want, you can brush it on dry for a more subtle effect or mix the luster dust with a little alcohol (for example, vodka, vanilla extract) to paint it on. Sun Sep 16 10:47:26 -0700 2007 2946112 21483 cheesepowder 2 2946259 I'm putting it on fondant and just couldn't get the effect i wanted. i havn't started that acual cake i was just practicing on a peice of fondant that i rolled out. i have a soft (new) paint brush and was applying it dry. i'm making a cake in the shape of a flor-de-lis in saints colors. Sun Sep 16 11:05:41 -0700 2007 2946229 127721 Tashia 3 2946283 as cheesepowder has suggested, you need to add a little alcohol. I use vodka since i do a lot of cake decorating for my family. You can buy a smal bottle of vodka, i guess. If you're going to use vanilla, make sure its the clear one. Just use a pinch of luster dust, a drop of vodka , mix and paint on the fondant. Do that until you get the shade you want. Don't mix a lot if you're not going to use it at once since the alcohol will evaporate. Hope this helps. Sun Sep 16 11:17:07 -0700 2007 2946259 127745 ceciliar 4 2946341 Thanks. I will try that. i just want it to be a true gold and it was so light you could hardly tell what it was. i think i already have some vodka at the house so that should work like i said thanks again. i have worked with just about everything but this so it's a try untill it works type thing Sun Sep 16 11:42:28 -0700 2007 2946283 127721 Tashia 5 2949001 I experimented w/ luster dust a bit for my parent's 50 anniversary party. I didn't have much luck, but I am a novice at serious decorating. Anyhow, I wound up making little balls out of white chocolate and painting the balls w/ the luster dust (and alcohol). It showed up much better on the white choc. Mon Sep 17 11:27:05 -0700 2007 2946341 10471 danna 6 2974225 danna, i do the same thing. When you say "paint" do you use a brush? If so there is an easier way. after you make the balls let it dry for a while and then put it in a small container with high sides, add some luster dust and a few drops of alcohol and swirl it around. Add more dust and alcohol until you get the look you want. Good thing about this is i can make smaller balls the size of beads. I've done gold and silver and red. They're beautiful. I made one the look like pearls and decorated the cake with just that and it came out simple but elegant. I alway use white chocolate because i can use any color of dust i want. Tue Sep 25 10:03:24 -0700 2007 2949001 127745 ceciliar 7 2974781 oh, what a nice idea...i love the pearls! Do you have any tricks for making the small balls in an efficient way? What brand of white chocolate do you buy? I don't really like the stuff, so I'm not sure what tastes good to those who do. Tue Sep 25 11:55:03 -0700 2007 2974225 10471 danna 8 2978418 I make my modelling chocolate with Merckens chocolate coating and light corn syrup. I make it a little softer so it's easier to roll it between my palms. I just eyeball the size. I let it dry for a while before i cover it with luster dust. When i make flowers , i like using candy oil flavors that goes with the color of the flowers or leaves. Cherry or strawberry for red, lemon for yellow etc. You know how people has a perception of what certain flavors go withe certain colors. And they really like it. It sometimes surprise them too. Wed Sep 26 10:43:22 -0700 2007 2974781 127745 ceciliar 1 3010956 How did it turn out? Sat Oct 06 14:20:50 -0700 2007 2946112 132717 heather12