Going a Little Batty

I wanted to make an isomalt moon for the top of a cake.  I decided in this spooky season it needed some bats on it.  To get this look I'm using DTC's new bat inlay to get the above look.

Materials needed:
Bat inlays
Isomalt - I used CakePay isomalt nibs
Metal round cookie cutter
Cooking spray or some type of oil

Lightly spray the inside of the cutter ring with cooking spray then wipe off excess with a napkin.  Arrange the bats on a silicone mat or lightly oiled marble surface and place ring around the bats.  (Some pictures show two bats and some show three -- I made a few before I found one I liked.)

Place isomalt nibs in an microwave safe container -- warm in 30 second increments in microwave until fully melted.  Gently pour over the bats.

Stop when you reach the desired thickness and the bats are covered. 

Once cooled -- time will depend on the temperature in the area -- gently remove the ring.

Use a palette knife to gently pull the bats out from the back.

If you have any surface bubbles they can be removed by a quick blast with a blow torch.  Be careful if you do this over the thinner bat sections as they will melt quickly.  To help with the bubbles make sure to wait prior to pouring for the bubbles to dissipate.  I waited longer on the moon with with two bats and there are very few bubbles.

If the isomalt gets cloudy over time -- or you touch it too much -- and it gets dull looking you can use a small amount of vegetable oil on your finger and gently rub over the surface.

Here are some close ups of the other features of the cake:

DTC Products Used:
Bat Inlay
Coffin
Small Bat
Medium Bat
Skeletal Hand
Skulls - 4 Mini
Skulls - Horizontal Border
Web

Halloween Dessert Table

Jeannie Gearin does it again with another amazing blog post.  This time it is a great idea for Halloween!

 A Halloween Dessert Table with a vintage feel, the dark colors and harlequin patterns

repeated throughout to give a sophisticated look. The cake is fondant with a hand

sculpted face. The crow is painted with gel colors.

Halloween Fangs

 The cupcakes have fondant fangs. They can also be  made in isomalt with red for the incisors, giving a bloody look!

Lady Skeleton and Pirate Skull

 When filling the mold, it is easier to fill with too little and then add more

as needed rather than using too much. With a small amount of paste you can see

where the details are and be sure to fill those areas carefully.

I like keeping my paste under a glass when I am going to use it a lot. It is easier

than rewrapping it in plastic wrap over and over.

 I find safety scissors are one of the best ways to cleanly

remove excess paste if you do end up with some. Push it to

the center, making sure the edges are clean and crisp.

 When adding a second color, I just add it right on top without

any water or other type of glue. The paste is fresh and it adheres

on its own. I place on the freezer for about 5 minutes to get

the most out of the details.

 When you overfill areas you will get this type of look which to a decorator is not

great but to anyone else is still impressive. I hope you can see the detail of the teeth

on that skeleton.

 The plates and candy bowls are from Target. The favor bags and candy tubes are at Michael's.

The Halloween Banner is from ButtonsandBells on Etsy.

Dessert Table by Jeannie Gearin

http://thepastrytip.blogspot.com/

DTC Products Used:

Lady Skeleton Cameo

Pirate Skull Cameo

Halloween Fangs

For more amazing work from Jeannie, check out her blog, The Pastry Tip!