I know, dumb question!
I keep reading about but what is it?
Can it be used on chocolate too?
Hey there! ironically enough, I just now posted a reply to someone who was wondering about the pearly effect you see on cakes, so I'll just copy and paste what I wrote to her...
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Have you ever tried luster dust? There is a type called Super Pearl, and it's fabulous. That's probably what you're seeing most of the time when you see that pearly effect. I've heard of people using airbrushes and spraying SuperPearl over an entire finished cake, and the effect is just stunning. The whole thing just subtly sparkles. But this is usually done on cakes covered in fondant. Maybe you could also airbrush a crusting buttercream, I'm not sure. But normally luster dust is only used on fondant - either brushed on dry with a paintbrush for the subtle sheen effect or it can be mixed with vodka or lemon extract for a more metallic look. It's kind of hard to explain. If you look in my pics, you'll see a Cinderella cake where I brushed SuperPearl on her whole skirt. However, on the leather jacket cake, I used the liquid version (mixed with vodka) for the snaps, zippers, and buckle to give it that shiny, metallic look. I'm not sure if the SuperPearl shows up for the Cinderella picture very well - it's easier to see in person. I think I used it on the Prince cake as well. But it adds just a touch of sparkle. I don't have an airbrush so I've never been able to try that method out. And luster dust comes in all different colors, so you can really have fun with it! Or, as i like to call it, "pixiedust." Ha ha.
Have fun!
Pyxxydust
Pyxxydust - thanks for the information. First of all, let me say, your cakes are absolutely lovely!! Actually, i am now thinking of doing my cake in MMF; I made it the other day, let it sit overnight and tried it out on a little cake yesterday and I loved the taste, so I probably will work with the fondant and be able to use the luster dust. To answer your question, no I have never used it before, but I do like the look of it. Let me ask you a couple of questions: 1) when you say you mix it with vodka - I guess you do mean the liquor and that would mean you don't use the liquid method in kids cakes or is the vodka you are referring to a totally different liquid? 2) This is a question separate from luster duster . . . I saw how nicely you wrote in chocolate - did you use some special technique or did you do it by freehand? I ask, because the writing is so nice and neat. . .
You are so sweet - thank you for the nice compliments! My father would argue with you on my nice writing - he always says he can never read my "curly q" writing - but his is much worse than mine! Worse than any doctor I've ever come across. Ha ha. Yes, the chocolate was freehand, but I wrote the name several times and picked the one that came out the best. I used Wilton candy melts in a piping bag - I can't remember if I used tip 2 or 3 for that - I think it was a 2 cuz the chocolate spreads out more than regular frosting. Anyway, so I wrote the name out several times - actually probably more like 10 to allow for breakage - and once they dried, I used the best and non-broken one!
About the luster dust - yes, it is the liquor vodka but don't worry - the alcohol evaporates when it dries. But you can also use lemon extract - it has to do with the level of alcohol in lemon, and other extracts don't work as well but since I don't have any lemon extract at home, I just use vodka. We've had the same bottle for our whole marriage - 6 1/2 years - and we never drink it, so I figured I could finally use it for something! If you try this or the lemon extract out - just put a tiny bit on a plate or in a bowl (I actually use a dropper - you don't want to add too much or the luster dust will get watery) and add a bit of luster dust. They come in little plastic containers, and you can try shaking it out, but if that gives you too much - try "pushing" some out when the end of a paintbrush or something. Mix it with the brush of the paintbrush until you get a consistency that is not like paste or lumpy, but also not too watery - you'll know when you see it and it gets that really cool metallic look to it.
About the cornelli lace - that sounds sooooo pretty! I would put the fondant on, then do the cornelli lace in royal icing (tip #2), and once it dries, then you can brush on some dry luster dust- probably SuperPearl if you're doing white royal icing. I think that would look gorgeous - please let me know when you post the picture! I can't wait to see it!
By the way, Wilton makes something like luster dust and in the same type of container, but I've read other Cake Central members say they don't like it and it doesn't work the same, and doesn't mix with vodka/lemon extract. If you don't have any cake stores in your area, you can order it online. I ordered a bunch from the Country Kitchen website, since they make the ones that most people use. I do have cake stores here in Atlanta, but they don't carry all the colors and I was looking for different shades of red. Their prices and shipping were reasonable, and I received it in like 2 or 3 days! It's so much fun to pick out all the different colors! I now have all different shades of red, blue, burgundy, but I find I use the SuperPearl the most- I just love the effect it gives.
Let me know if I forgot anything or if you have any other questions!
Thanks so much!!! Perfect instructions. One thing - I would prefer not to do the cornelli lace in royal icing becasue I don't want a hardened candy-type cover on the cake (or who knows maybe that might be nice. . hmmmm); that being the case - should I then dust the fondant and then do the lace in buttercream? Unfortunately, I did buy the Wilton luster, because that is what they had by me and the cake is for Sunday, so I do not have time to order the Super Pearl
Yes, dust the fondant first, and as long as you're using it dry, it should work fine. But try some out on a smaller piece of fondant to make sure you like the effect of the luster dust first - I'm not sure what colors that wilton has or how they look. If you want the sparkle effect, instead of using the luster dust, take some of those clear Wilton Cake Sparkles, put them in a Ziplock and roll a rolling pin over them so they get really fine, and sort of sprinkle that over the buttercream cornelli lace, to see if you like that better than having the fondant underneath covered in luster dust. Try it out both ways on a smaller piece and see what you like the most.
I definitely will. This is my first public cake - it is for my nephew's christening and even though it's not a formal "payed for" cake, i am really excited and nervous about it. I really want it to look lovely - I can't sleep at night thinking of it (and whay may go wrong), but I am going to do my best and if nothing else, it is being made with love
It will be wonderful. I don't have a business or anything either - most of the ones I do are for friends and family because I enjoy doing them and I know they appreciate the time and love that goes into making something special just for them. It drives my husband crazy - he thinks I should charge for my time, but I learn from every cake I do! And you'll find out that nothing compares to how you can make someone smile with something that you made. When I gave that little girl the Cinderella cake - she started dancing around the room and saying "that's my Cinderella cake!" It made me feel so good! Cakes are always part of happy occasions, and that's part of why I love doing it. I know you're going to love doing cakes, and you came to the right place - I just discovered Cake Central a few months ago and I love it! I've learned so much and I enjoy reading all the forums and seeing peoples' cakes and getting ideas - it's wonderful! So any time you have a question - just post it on the forum and someone will respond - everyone is always so helpful.
Have fun! Good luck in your Wilton class and your nephew's cake!
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