This homemade piping gel is so simple, quick and easy to make you will never have to go without it ever again. Piping gel has become an important aspect of cake decorating from glue to sticking flowers. In this post, I share with you two recipes one with gelatin and a vegetarian one with lots of possibilities.
Table of Content
If you are a cake decorator, then you must have used piping gel. You can find it in any cake decorating store. When I started cake decorating, it was not easily available, and its shelf life was always an issue.
So, I had to find a way to make my own. I found many recipes online and have gone through quite a few recipes to find one that works for me.
What do we use piping gel for
- Piping gel is often used to give cakes the glass effect, such as stained glass cakes.
- When you need to create a water effect. For example, for a swimming pool cake or a waterfall decoration.
- When working with wafer paper flowers. The piping gel works best to stick wafer paper to wafer paper.
- As a glue when working with sugar cookies. I use piping gel to get the fondant to stick my cookies.
This is not my original recipe. It's adapted from those I found online. I've gone through a couple of piping gel recipes and came up with this ratio of gelatin or cornstarch that works best for me. I hope that you will also find it useful.
The difference between the two homemade piping gels
The main difference, of course, is one is made using gelatin and the other is made with cornstarch. Which means that one is vegetarian and the other is not. But as you can see, there is also a slight difference in color.
The one on the right is made with gelatin. And as you can see, it is more transparent as compared to the one on the left, which is made with cornstarch and it's a bit more opaque. While it's not a huge difference, I think it's worth mentioning.
The consistency of piping gel
Understanding the consistency of the piping gel is very important. It has a soft consistency and does not dry hard. It will dry but not like royal icing. So, please do not mistake it for royal icing.
How to use this homemade piping gel
- You may need to add hot water to bring to the piping gel to the consistency you need.
- Below is the piping gel consistency when made. It would work great to create water or waves where you need it to hold its shape.
- But if you need it as a glue, this might be too thick. So, add a few tablespoons of hot water and mix thoroughly.
Storage and shelf life
- I find that it's best to store the piping gel in a little glass jar like the ones I show you here.
- I always keep it in the fridge to increase its shelf life.
- In general, piping gel has a short shelf life - I'd say about 2 weeks. So, I always make a small batch since I prefer to make it often.
Caution
If you are using any recipe, it best to first do a test to see if it's the right one for the project you have in mind.
Whatever recipe you use, be it the one with gelatin or with cornstarch, if you do not make it the same way I have, it may not work for your project. Please test it to see if it can create those waves or that waterfall you want and make any necessary adjustments.
As you can see in the images above, this is how it looks when it's ready. I hope it works for you too.
Homemade piping gel with gelatin
I personally prefer to use this recipe although it is a bit more expensive than the second recipe. It dries better than the second recipe and I personally think the gelatin and corn syrup is tastier. If you are a vegetarian, then you probably need to use the second recipe below.
- Dissolve gelatin in the water for 2 minutes.
- Place in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or in a double boiler and melt the gelatin.
- Place the corn syrup and extract in a saucepan over low heat. Once the corn syrup is hot, add in the gelatin mixture.
- Stir well to combine.
- That's it - your piping gel is ready.
- This gel will thicken as it sits.
Some progress pictures
Homemade piping gel with cornstarch
The benefit of this recipe is that it is cheaper. I personally do not like the strong lemon taste, but it does go on nice and smooth so you get a nice glass effect.
- Dissolve the cornstarch in half the water.
- Place the sugar and the remaining water on low heat and stir until all the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the lemon juice, and cornstarch mixture.
- Stir until thick and opaque.
- The cornflour should cook until it becomes opaque (see image below).
- Switch off the flame.
- Store in a glass jar or container.
- Once cooled, use as desired.
- If necessary, add hot water to bring to the right consistency.
Important - Cook this Homemade Piping Gel until cornstarch looks like this. Almost translucent.
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Printable Recipe
Homemade Piping Gel - Two Recipes - Gelatin or Vegetarian
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Ingredients
Ingredients - Homemade Piping Gel with Gelatin
- 2 tablespoon Gelatin
- 2 tablespoon Water
- 2 cups (470 ml) Light corn syrup
- Clear vanilla or almond extract
Ingredients - Homemade Piping Gel with Cornstarch
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) White granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch / cornflour
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoon) Lemon juice
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoon) Water
Instructions
Method - Homemade Piping Gel with Gelatin
- Dissolve gelatin in the water for 2 minutes.
- Place in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or in a double boiler and melt the gelatin.
- Place the corn syrup and extract in a saucepan over low heat. Once the corn syrup is hot, add in the gelatin mixture.
- Stir well to combine.
- That's it - your piping gel is ready.
- This gel will thicken as it sits.
Method - Homemade Piping Gel with Cornstarch
- Dissolve the cornstarch in half the water.
- Place the sugar and the remaining water on low heat and stir until all the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the lemon juice, and cornstarch mixture.
- Stir until thick and opaque.
- The cornflour should cook until it becomes opaque (see image below).
- Switch off the flame.
- Store in a glass jar or container.
- Once cooled use as desired.
- If necessary add hot water to bring to the right consistency.
Recipe Notes
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
Chef Mark
Have you ever used arrowroot instead of cornstarch? When cooked it comes out clearer than cornstarch. As a chef I know they are interchangeable, and arrowroot does better with acids such as lemon juice. But I’m not a baker and there may be a reason cornstarch is used. If you haven’t give it a try.
Veena Azmanov
I have not tried to make it with arrowroot, Mark. I think it should work too. I always preferred the one with gelatin.
Dawn Wilson
1 cup equal to 8 fluid oz. So how can 2 cups equal 23.06 fluid ounces of corn syrup
Veena Azmanov
Hey Dawn, I know it shoulds be weird but due to the thickness of the corn syrup it does weigh more. You can google it as well. I have changed it to ml so that looks more correct now.
Dawn Wilson
Thank you that helps
Von
Hi there, I am making a volcano cake, can I use the gelatin recipe to make it look like flowing lava?
Veena Azmanov
Yes, Von with the right colors piping gel can look like anything flowing.
Kimberly Phillips
Can you color the piping gel?
Veena Azmanov
Yes, you can use gel food colors.
Claire
Hi Veena, thank you for sharing your recipes. Could you please tell me how you store these piping gels and how long they keep for. Many thanks.
Veena Azmanov
Claire I keep it in a mason jar in the fridge- it stays for a week up to 10 days. It may get thicker as it cools. Give it a good stir, if too lumpy so you can warm it for just 5 seconds.