Make this sugar swan

I’ve been fascinated by birds since childhood. When I see a hawk in flight, I know I’m going to have a good day.

I’m lucky that I live in the mountains of Wurtsboro, NY, because my property is populated with blue jays, cardinals, crows, golden finches, robins and grackles. A bald eagle now lives a few blocks away. I was even raising guinea hens until a hungry bear broke into their coop last fall. (I plan on trying again—with a sturdier structure, of course.)

Swans are among my favorite birds. They’re certainly beautiful to look at. They’re also symbolic.

“The meaning of a swan is grace, beauty, love, trust and loyalty,” writes Garth C. Clifford in “Swan Symbolism and Meaning,” online on worldbirds.com. “Swan symbolism is also linked to inner beauty and self-love. A pair of swans represent soul mates for life.”

With warmer weather finally taking hold, I thought this sugar swan would be an ideal project this month. You can use it as a cake topper or as a stand-alone piece. It would even make for a unique gift.

A word of caution: this project requires heating up and pouring isomalt, which can cause severe burns if not handled correctly. But don’t let that keep you from trying. If you’re reasonably careful and follow the directions, the small risk is more than offset by the beautiful and elegant reward.

Display your Sugar Swan in a humidity-free zone, and it will last a surprisingly long time.

Sugar Swan

Learn how to create an elegant sugar swan cake topper using isomalt, transfer sheets, and metallic paints. A stunning sugar art project for intermediate bakers.

Kim Simons

Advanced

Supply List

IsomaltAirbrush colorsDetailing penTransfer sheetsSilicone cupsSilicone mats3 differently sized metal heart shaped cookie cuttersMicrowaveCake toolsTorchEdible metallic paintsGold sprinklesNeedlenose pliersGloves

Instructions

• Lay out transfer sheets. Grease the insides of metal cookie cutters with cooking oil.
  
• Place cookie cutters on transfer sheets.
  
• Heat up isomalt (in your choice of colors) in silicone cup until it bubbles. Use gloves to handle isomalt.
• Pour isomalt into metal cookie cutters. Use blow torch lightly to clear bubbles. Let cool 15 to 20 minutes.
  
• Remove isomalt shapes from cookie cutters. Use blow torch and/or cake tools to help.
  
• Assemble heart pieces, gluing together with isomalt.
  
• Paint edges and center heart with jewel colors. Decorate with sprinkles.
  
• Heat up more isomalt. Pour onto silicone mat.
• Use mat to combine, mold, and cool isomalt until it’s pliable like clay. Gloves are recommended.
  
• Shape pieces of isomalt into wings and tail. Shape other pieces into swan’s head, neck, and body. Let cool.
  
• Detail wings with a detailing pen.
  
• Glue wings and tail to head-neck-body with isomalt.
  
• Heat up black isomalt. Dab onto head to create eyes.
  
• Glue swan to the heart piece with isomalt.
  

Notes

• This project requires heating up and pouring isomalt, which can cause severe burns if not handled correctly. Use gloves.

Products Used

• SimiCakes : Isomalt

• SimiColor Splash : Airbrush colors

• Icing Images : Transfer sheets

• The Sweet Chalet : Jewel colors

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