What is Pastillage?
Pastillage is a type of sugar paste used in cake decorating and sugar artistry. It is made up of sugar, gelatin, and water. It is then kneaded together, forming a stretchy moldable paste similar to fondant and gumpaste. Pastillage dries quickly and hardens to a firm, yet edible, finish, making it ideal for creating intricate cake decorations, sculptures, and showpieces.
Here are some key points about Pastillage:
Ingredients: Pastillage is made from powdered sugar (also known as icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar), gelatin, and water.
Texture: When freshly made, pastillage has a firm and somewhat sticky texture. As it dries, it hardens to a stiff, brittle consistency, which is ideal for creating strong edible structures, toppers, and decorations from the smallest flowers to the largest centerpieces with long-lasting reliable strength.
Drying time: Pastillage dries relatively quickly compared to other sugar pastes. Depending on the thickness of the piece and the humidity of the environment, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or more to fully dry and harden.
Coloring: Like other sugar pastes, pastillage can be colored with gel-based or powder food coloring. It can also be painted with edible food colors or luster dusts once it has dried.
Storage: Once dried, pastillage decorations can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for an extended period. However, they should be protected from moisture and humidity, as this can cause them to soften or become sticky.
Pastillage is a versatile and durable product popular among cake decorators and sugar artists for its ability to create intricate and long-lasting decorations. We highly recommend trying premade Pastillage powders from trusted brands such as Yeners that only require the addition of water!