Isomalt For Cake Decorating: What Is It?

Isomalt is a versatile sugar substitute that has gained popularity in cake decorating due to its ability to create beautiful clear candy decorations. Discovered in the 1960s, it is white, crystalline, and odorless. It is used by baking experts for decorations and is a key ingredient in many factory-produced products. Isomalt is similar to using sugar but doesn’t turn yellow when heated. It allows bakers and cakers of all skill levels to create beautiful clear sugar art for cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts.

Isomalt decorations can transform an already beautiful cake into a breathtaking creation. This cake decorating tutorial shows how to make these Isomalt decorations with little or no experience needed. Isomalt is a sugar substitute made from sugar alcohol instead of real sugar, making it resistant to humidity due to its unique chemical structure. It is an extremely stable sugar substitute used for sugar art cake decorations and acts structurally just like sugar would.

Isomalt is also useful for creating edible jewels and sparkly design elements for elaborate cake decoration. It is a healthier alternative to sugar, having the taste, texture, and physical properties of real sugar but half its calories. In this cake decorating tutorial, five simple and modern ways to use isomalt decorations are shown.

Why do bakers use isomalt?

Isomalt is a sugar substitute made from sugar alcohol, a type of carbohydrate that is resistant to humidity. It is a popular choice in confectionery and can be used as a low-calorie alternative in sugar-free candies and syrups. Isomalt is made from glucose, mannitol, and sorbitol, which are carbohydrates that fall into sugar alcohols. These sugar alcohols are two different mixtures of disaccharides, glucose and sorbitol, and glucose and mannitol.

When mixed, they are transformed into isomaltulose and hydrogenated into isomalt. Isomalt is made from 50 glucose, 25 mannitol, and 25 sorbitol, making it a versatile and versatile sugar substitute in the confectionery industry.

What are the disadvantages of isomalt?

Isomalt, a sugar substitute, has been associated with the occurrence of flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, watery stools, and abdominal pain due to its capacity to retain water within the bowel. Ingestion of excessive quantities may result in the aforementioned adverse effects, particularly in individuals with a proclivity for digestive discomfort.

How healthy is isomalt?

Isomalt is a tooth-friendly, low-glycemic sugar with half the calories of regular sugar, making it ideal for those looking to reduce sugar intake or stabilize blood sugar, such as those with diabetes. However, it should be used in moderation to avoid digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea. Zùsto, a product containing isomalt, is designed to minimize this risk by carefully measuring its amount, ensuring it is well below potential discomfort levels, allowing users to enjoy the sweetness without worry. Overall, isomalt is a beneficial food option for those looking to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

What is isomalt made of?

Isomalt is a two-stage process that transforms sucrose into isomaltulose using the bacterial enzyme isomaltulose synthase. It is then hydrogenated using a Raney nickel catalyst, producing 1, 1-GPM and 1, 6-GPS. Isomalt is widely used for sugar-free candy production, particularly hard-boiled candy, as it resists crystallization better than standard sucrose and corn syrup combinations. It is also used in sugar sculpture.

Isomalt can also be used as a plasticizer for high methoxyl pectin films, reducing rigidity and water vapor permeability, improving film quality by reducing respiration rate, moisture migration, and loss of volatile compounds.

Is isomalt healthy?

Isomalt does not increase blood glucose and insulin levels, but it can pull water into the intestines and be metabolized by some colonic bacteria. Excessive amounts may cause gas and looser stools in sensitive people. Eating excessive amounts may cause more gas and looser stools. Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B. V., its licensors, and contributors. All rights reserved, including text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

How long do isomalt decorations last?

Isomalt can be stored in a microwave safe container or wrapped in plastic wrap. It can be cooked for two years, provided the container is well sealed. It is important not to store cooked or uncooked Isomalt in a refrigerator or freezer due to high humidity. To cook Isomalt, add distilled water to it and stir until it resembles wet sand. Place the pot on a high burner and gently stir the crystals to melt and turn into a liquid. Pull the crystals from the outside in to help them melt.

How to use isomalt in cake decorating?

Clear isomalt, known for its glassiness, is a versatile material that can be used in various ways to enhance cake designs. Pulling isomalt allows for the creation of organic shapes, allowing for the addition of textures to existing designs without overshadowing their focal elements. Larger quantities of clear isomalt pieces can become part of main decorations and add fluidity to cake designs. The isomalt bowl sail, originating from the DTC kitchen, is a popular modern cake decorating trend that can be paired with cascading orchids or edible gold leaf accents. This versatile piece can complement any cake design, from wedding cakes to birthday cakes, and is a great way to add a wow factor to any cake.

Is isomalt a healthy sweetener?

Isomalt’s physiological characteristics include not promoting tooth decay, having a low blood glucose effect, acting like dietary fiber in the gut, and having half the caloric value of sucrose. Polyols, on the other hand, do not lose their sweetness when heated but do not cause a browning effect like sugar. Living a healthier lifestyle requires small changes, and learning and finding tips to start today can help.

Can you refrigerate a cake with isomalt?

CakePlay Isomalt Nibs are suitable for use on cakes without refrigeration, but they should not be refrigerated due to the humid environment of the refrigerator. Instead, they should be stored in an airtight container. If living in a high-humidity environment, a desiccant packet may be added to the container. CakePlay Isomalt Nibs are formulated to withstand humidity, and those in extremely high-humidity environments can use edible lacquer spray or confectionery glaze.

The melted isomalt may appear cloudy due to the mat or mold used to cast it, depending on its surface, composition, and density. To improve clarity, rub vegetable oil onto the mold and wipe it off before pouring in the melted isomalt. Alternatively, use a crème brulee torch to restore surface clarity after molding, using a light sweep to avoid losing excessive surface detail.

How to store isomalt decorations overnight?

Cloudiness in molded pieces can be caused by various factors, such as using a silicone mold or pouring onto silicone mats. To remove cloudiness, run a crème brulee torch over the mold’s surface and avoid excessive humidity exposure. Store isomalt pieces in an air-tight container with a food-safe desiccant packet until ready to use.

To eliminate bubbles in melted isomalt, let it settle for a minute or two after microwaving. If bubbles are in the center of the piece, watch through a window in your microwave to avoid heating the product longer than necessary. A good pouring spout helps eliminate some bubbles as they stretch and break when the isomalt is poured into a mold. If small bubbles on the surface of the isomalt in the mold after pouring, use a crème brulee torch while the isomalt is not set.

The type of mold and quality of mold can affect the end results. Silicone molds provide the best detail but can cause small bubbles on the surface depending on the material and cure rate. Remove these bubbles with a careful sweep of a crème brulee torch or rub a small amount of oil into the mold before pouring in the isomalt to create a barrier between the two materials.

Can CakePlay Isomalt Nibs be used in chandelier or pearl (bead) molds? Pour the melted isomalt when it’s fairly thin and hot, wait a minute for bubbles to settle, and fill the desired mold. Use fishing line or bead string as the “string” when isomalt is poured into bead molds. Remove excess isomalt with a craft knife or melt away with a crème brulee torch after removal.