Edible lace has always been an intricate part of cake decorating. And yet, now it has become a massive trend. Here's a simple homemade edible sugar lace recipe. It can be applied to any cake, from simple buttercream to naked ganache or a decorated fondant cake. So, have fun and explore new possibilities with this easy to use homemade lace recipe.
I use a lot of lace on my cakes. Unfortunately, when I started out, I could not find any shop that sold edible lace. So, I had to go hunt for a homemade edible sugar lace recipe. Recently, however, I do find cake lace in my local shop. Therefore, in some of the recent works I have used store bought lace, not this homemade edible sugar lace recipe.
First of all, this lace recipe is not mine. I found it on Cake Central forum a long time ago - shared by a lovely lady Dawn Edwards. Since, I do not know her personally, I hope she won't' mind that I shared her recipe here (if she does I will take it off). So, if anyone knows her, please share her details with me and I will share a link to her page or website here.
Also, I am sharing it here rather than just a putting a link because it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to keep up with the questions on where to look for this recipe.
And yet, you are welcome to look for it on Cake Central.
Before I give you the recipe here are my tips
Here are some of my tips based on the questions I have received from you all.
When you add the tylose to the boiling water it will be very lumpy. Like this below.
So, let it sit for a few minutes (mine takes about 10 mins really) until it becomes almost transparent. Like this. See no lumps of white powder in it. Right?
Next, I sift all the remaining dry ingredients together and then add to it in.
Lastly, add the corn syrup and your mixture should look like this. No lump!!!
(if your mixture is lumpy the lace will not spread evenly) This is, of course, a bit thick, but I do not add any water just yet.
Consistency
First, I take the amount I need into a separate bowl. Then, I add the color needed. And, if you need white you will also need to add white color. As you can see the color above is not really white; more opaque.
Once the color is mixed in - I add a few drops of water as needed to make it to spreading consistency.
Remember, you need it to spread evenly but at the same time you need it to be strong and dry fast - So easy with the water.
Too much water will make the lace weak which will tear more easily.
How to use edible sugar lace
Just use a spatula and apply it to a clean dry mat. Remove any excess. You can air dry it overnight until the lace releases itself from the mat.
Personally, I place it in the oven at 60 C for about 10 to 15 mins and that expedites the process too. But you have to be careful if you leave it longer or at high temperature, the lace will become too brittle.
Types of lace mats to use
Make sure the lace mats you use are similar to these. There are some thick lace mats like I mention in the video. Lace mats are usually very thin and barely need any mixture to create lace. The ones for fondant a thicker and deeper.
These below are similar perhaps not same as seen in the video (kinda hard to find the exact sometimes) But I love these and they work really beautifully with this mixture.
Storage
- Keep it wrapped individually in between parchment or greaseproof paper in a cardboard box.
- If you keep it out it does become brittle and breaks easily. But if you want to make standalone butterflies - just let them sit a few hours on the former open and they will set.
So Finally - here is the recipe by Dawn Edwards I found on cake central.
Step by step instructions
The original RECIPE by Dawn Edwards has meringue powder - if you want you can add ¼ tsp of meringue powder but I have tried it without as you can see in the videos and it works perfectly fine.
- Add Tylose to boiling water and with a small fork mix until you get a clear mixture.
- When the mix is clear, add confectioner sugar and cornstarch - mix again.
- Then add your corn syrup.
- Add white edible color - mix well.
- This mix can be kept in the refrigerator for a week. To work with it leave it at room temperature.
- Once you have made the lace, you can store it between parchment paper in a cardboard box.
- To use - just spread lace as thin as possible in the lace mats - watch the video if you working on lace for the first time.
- Place in the oven at 60 C/ 110 F for 10 to 15 minutes or air dry overnight depending on the humidity level.
- As soon as it leaves the sides and looks dry - you can test from the corner first.
You can double this recipe successfully. I have used it very successfully making almost 3 times this amount. It works really well and the lace has a long shelf life. I have some kept over a few months and they are still soft and gorgeous.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Once the buttercream has crusted or dried brush the sides with edible glue or piping gel. Place the lace and it should stick without any issues.
Yes, sugar lace contains all edible ingredients so it is edible. Having said that it is made with edible gums which are quite chewy and tasteless. Often cake decorators use edible lace for decorative purposes.
Just brush the fondant with water or edible glue. Do not add too much liquid or glue as it will saturate into the lace. Place the lace and it should stay in place.
Place edible lace between parchment papers well covered. Then place in a cardboard box.
I've got a few for over a few months and they are still beautiful. If wrapped well these can stay for up to a year as well.
Once taken out of the mold edible lace needs to be kept covered. Any exposure to air will dry them out.
Even oven is different so you will need a little trial and error to find the few minutes that work best for you. The lace needs to be removed when its set but still not hard. You will find that the edges start coming off the sides.
You need to make the fondant or buttercream tacky but not wet. If there is too much moisture on the cake it will melt the lace.
Sugar lace is made with edible gum which is stretchy and hard to cut. It's best to take it off the cake and cut the cake so you have pretty slices. The lace can be messy when tried to cut.
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Homemade Edible Sugar Lace Recipe Eggless and Vegetarian
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Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Tylose powder
- 4 tbsp Boiling water
- 1 tbsp Confectioners sugar powdered sugar/icing sugar
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch / cornflour
- ½ tsp Light corn syrup / liquid glucose
- 1 drop White gel food color or any other for colored lace
Instructions
- Add Tylose to boiling water and with a small fork mix until you get a clear mixture.
- When the mix is clear, add confectioner sugar and cornstarch - mix again.
- Then add your corn syrup.
- Add white edible color - mix well.
- This mix can be kept in the refrigerator for a week. To work with it leave it at room temperature.
- Once you have made the lace, you can store it between parchment paper in a cardboard box.
- To use - just spread lace as thin as possible in the lace mats - watch the video if you working on lace for the first time.
- Place in the oven at 60 C/ 110 F for 10 to 15 minutes or air dry overnight depending on the humidity level.
- As soon as it leaves the sides and looks dry - you can test from the corner first.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Nicole Graham
I made the lace according to your recipe. It looks beautiful, but it’s very dry and papery, not flexible. I tried both air drying and oven drying. Any recommendations? I was thinking of adding a tiny bit more corn syrup.
Veena Azmanov
If it is dry, perhaps you need to take it out a litter earlier. Make sure to store it well so it is not exposed to air. It dries out very easily. Try to keep to the recipe, it works best.
CHARLENE PACELLI
Hi love your work. Can you please tell where you bought the lace mat for tye cake with the turquoise lace or the name of the mold
Veena Azmanov
Charlene. I got all my lace mats on Amazon or Ebay. It is hard to find the exact mat now after so many years so I linked a few on the post.
Carol
Hi, ive tried your recipe twice and both times it doesnt work. It is so dry its actually crumbly. I had to add 2 extra tbsp of hot water and even then, its still very thick. I dont know how you or others make up this recipe to work. I use correct measuring tools.. correct ingredients.. can you please explain HOW is it possible to make the mixture paste like yours in the video, by using your recipe?? Cheers
Veena Azmanov
Carol, please use precise measurements and watch the video closely. I also have progress pictures and notes.
Many have had great success with this recipe and yet some have has issues just like you before they got it right.
If you added too much water sounds like the powdered sugar is more.
I have given a detailed recipe and video but I can't see what you are doing so you will have to compare yours to my video to troubleshoot.
I hope that makes sense.
Doug
I understood your frustration, but think I figured it out. After retracing my own steps, I added the boiling water to the tylose. It hit me that the tylose needs to be added to the boiling water, sprinkling and stirring with the fork constantly.
Anjali Pillai
Hi I tried your cake lace recipe. I need to make 3D flowers. How do I make it stiffer? When I take it out of the oven it is stiff ,but gets flimsy after some time. Please help.
Veena Azmanov
Yes, Anjali. The lace will get firmer as it airdries
Sherrie Graham
Ms. Veena,
I have tried your recipe twice, and each time it comes out very thick. Mine look nothing like yours in your video. I have tried to add a little water and to my prevail... the same thing happens. it is thick. please help. Also my lowest temp. for my oven is 175 degrees.
Veena Azmanov
You can add a few teaspoons of water if necessary. The consistency has to be similar to toothpaste. You can also airdry it overnight.
Puja
Hi Veena, I tried this recipe yesterday it came out exactly how you have shown in the video. I left the sugar lace dry overnights over the counter . Thank you so much, you are an inspiration.
Veena Azmanov
You are very welcome Puja. Thanks for the feedback
Jennifer Jashar
Thank you I love this page. Can you place the lace on a cake the day before? I'm going to try this today.
Veena Azmanov
Hey Jennifer. Yes, you can place it on the cake the day before. Though sometimes condensation in place with high humidity can cause issues such as melting.
iris
hi
is it only 60 ml water?
it becume to thik
Veena Azmanov
Hey Iris. You can add a few teaspoons of water if necessary but it has to be paste consistency. Like toothpaste. Hope this helps
Prateek
Can I use CMC in place of tylose?
Veena Azmanov
Yes, Prateek. CMC and tylose work the same
Dr.komel Adil
Dear,can you tell me the substitute for corn syrup. Can I use honey instead. Thank you so much
Veena Azmanov
Hey Komel, you can use glucose instead not honey. Thanks
Amanda Watson
Hi Veena, Would just like to askif the spoon measurements are heaped or level Tbls.
thankyou for sharing the recipe and very detailed tutorial
Kind regards
Amanda
Veena Azmanov
Amanda. I always use level tablespoons unless I say otherwise. Thanks
Sun
Hi, first of all I always check your recipes and they are my life savers. Thank you.
I wanted to know if lace can be used in whipped cream icing? And what are the decorating options for whipped cream icing?
TIA!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Sun. You can use lace over whipped cream but it might get soft and if the weather is humid it might melt. For whipped cream cakes I usually like to keep it simple with just basic borders. You can pipe flowers as well as use fondant decorations if you roll them really thin. All these options are of course dependant on the climate conditions.
Susan
Hi Veena,
Can corn syrup be substituted for agave sweetener or other syrup? Is it there for the consistency or shine since the other option is glycerin? Just want to avoid getting whole bottle of stuff I won’t use otherwise if I can still produce lace that holds together.
Thank you for your reply.
Veena Azmanov
Hey Susan. I have not tried anything other than corn syrup so I'm not sure. You can experiment with what you have and see how it goes. If it works great, please let us know too. Thanks
Gabi
Hi! My tylose was a solid mass when I added the water, is this okay?
Veena Azmanov
Hey Gabi, Sounds like you put a bit extra tylose or less water. Check the quantities again, please. Thanks
I have a video for this recipe as well.
Brigitte
I followed the recipe but I t became completely solid and not spreadable. Maybe one table spoon of tylose powder is too much? Maybe it should be one tea spoon?
Veena Azmanov
Hey Brigitte. The recipe is correct, many people have used it successfully. I have made it countless times myself. Sorry, it did not work for you. Thanks for the feedback
Ashley
This happened to me too. 1/4 cup boiling water with 1 tablespoon Taylor’s powder and it was a huge chunk. I have to add 1 cup of water to get it even close to the consistency in the video
Veena Azmanov
Yes, Ashley. The chunks are ok as long as they are soft like jelly from soaking in the water.
With this measure should not have any dry powder left. It will swell up and become lumpy - that's normal.
you can contine with the recipe