How to use Silicone Onlays in Summer

These Silicone onlays are simple and easy to use. They create such impressive and quick designs that they are worth an investment. But if you live in a hot and humid place using these can be a challenge. So here's an alternate way to use it in summer.

One of my favorite tools to use in cake decorating are silicon molds. These silicone onlays really look so impressive with the patterns. I remember when I got my first set on hand I was almost using it for all the time.  It became an addiction.

These are very easy to use and there are plenty of tutorials out there that teach you how to use the silicone onlays. The best and the right way to use it of course is by Chef Dominic himself in this video.

No doubt it is very easy to use on a regular cake. May need a bit of practice at first but if you use the right technique; a little practice you can master this easy peasy. Having said that. I know there are many of you that have put these mats at the corner of your cake decorating shelf. Those of you living in places where the weather is hot and humid!! Yes, I'm talking about those living in India, Spain, Philippines and the middle east where you have really hot humid climate.

I had a few message from girls asking "is there another way to using these mats'? and wondered why would any one what another way when it's already so easy. Of course I'd always reply back to just practice.

Last year n in summer, I had to work on a cake with my Silicone Onlays. Here is Israel summer is hot and humid. Everything and everyone is melting!! We have to leave the air conditioning on in summer all the time.

As luck would have it we had a problem with the air conditioning and guess what? My cake was sweating and there is not way I could flip my silicone onlays onto my cake without leaving a mark of the mat on it. Worst if you airbrush the cake. That's when I realized this is what the girls were talking about! This is why they asked if there was another way to using the silicone onlays. Ah!!

Well, I used this technique successfully that day and never thought of it again. Until recently when I received another message - 'Veena is there any other way I can use the silicone onlays please! YES!!

So today I want to share with you this second method to using the silicone onlays. Now I'll say this one more time. Only if you live in a hot and humid climate use this technique, if not use the way it is suppose to - It much easier, neater and efficient.

The basics to using the mat are the same. Here are a few tips for success. 

1. Use gum paste as it works the best. You can use fondant with CMC. But, personally I find gum paste works the best!
2. Roll the gum paste as thin as you can. I use the pasta roller often and I roll up to 2 (01 being the thinnest) on my roller.
3. Let the mat sit for 5 to 7 minutes to form a slight crust - this prevents sticking to the mat.
4. Dust the silicone onlays mat with cornstarch liberally then dust off all excess. This will make sure the pattern releases quickly.
5. Don't make haste when placing the onlays to the cake. Start from one corner (lining up with the previous) while holding gently with the other hand.
6. Slightly press the pattern on one side - roll the silicone from one end to the other slowly while still supporting with the other.

So, how to use the silicone onlays in summer?

Almost everything from tip 1 to 4 is the same. But instead of putting the pattern directly on the cake we place it in the fridge for a couple of minutes. This firms up the gum paste which helps us hold the pattern more easily. Then all we do is place the pattern on the cake.

Here let me show you that with a few progress pictures. Now I needed two hands so my Aadi took a few shots for me..! (he's 10!)

Roll gum paste nice and thin. See how thin this is?

Leave the mat to dry for a five minute then place it on the silicone mat. Usually I need 3 or 4 for a cake so by the time the fourth is rolled the first is good for the next step.

Now I always use a small rolling pin but mostly as weight rather than a rolling motion. You see how you can see the green mat very clearly thru the gum paste? That's because we rolled it thin which is perfect for these mats!

Remove all the negative pieces that you do not need and clean up any raw gum paste edges you have.

Next gently teaser the silicone mat to ensure that the pattern releases easily and is not stuck.

This is where we do it differently. Instead of lining it up against the cake. We will flip it over a parchment paper on a tray. This we do only if we have a cake that is sweating due to hot and humid weather.

Now you can see I have two prepared for this cake. Make sure they are neat and straight.
Place this tray in the fridge for 7  minutes or freezer for 5 minutes

Now when you take it out of the fridge - it will be firm and  you should be able to hold the mat in your hands like this. No bending.

Now working quickly but gently - apply glue / cornstarch mixture to the back of the  silicone onlays

Still working quickly - pick it up and attach it to your cake.
If you live in a hot and humid weather then this window of time from the fridge to the gum paste becoming soft again is very small.

By now your gum paste should be softening up a little so you should be able to just smooth it over. If it's still firm give it a minute so it won't crack. Like I said if you using this method I am presuming you have hot and humid climate.
Note: the only reason I can hold it is because it's still cold. If necessary stick it back in the fridge until firm to handle.

And voila... just like that you have placed the silicone onlays onto your cake successfully.  Your welcome!!

Save this tutorial for later. You can also find a collection of my recipes and tutorials here on Pinterest.

You can use this method with any of the silicone mats. As shown here I have used this Scalloped Onlay Silicon Mat, the other is a Moroccan pattern and the one below my watermark is the Damask pattern. Three of my absolute favorites really.

You can buy them from the Marvelous Molds website directly, that way you can see a larger selection all in one place including tutorials on how to use them and they do have free shipping over $75.  Usually I plan my purchase so I take advantage of this free shipping especially because the molds can be so difficult to choose. I can never just buy one! So free shipping is a big bonus. 

In this Pinterest Board I have linked some of the tools I used on my cakes and love. Now I only recommend tools I've used so if it's not there just means I have not used it. Once I use it I will link it.

For this cake I have painted my white pattern with silver paint (this is silver luster dust with vodka).
We covered how to get metallic effects on cakes in a previous post already you can read more about that in this post. How to create metallic effects on cakes.

Here's a Filigri Onlay as well that would work with this technique in summer.