How to Add Shimmer to Fondant

Last Updated: January 7, 2023

When decorating cakes, a shiny fondant ribbon can add beauty and elegance to your creation. Creating the sheen on fondant is easy if you have the right tools and supplies. Here are the steps to add shimmer to fondant.

Steps

1
Buy an appropriate dusting powder to create your shiny fondant. Different types of dusts will produce different levels of shine for your rolled fondant. The grain size of certain dust powders may be larger than others.
2
Use a clean makeup brush, such as one for applying blush, to dust your fondant with powder. Other alternative brushes you can use are a small paintbrush or an airbrush.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Dusting Powder with a Liquid

1
Pour about a 1/4 tsp. (1.25 ml) of dusting powder into a small bowl or cup. Do this carefully and try not to breathe or inhale the powder.
2
Use a small paintbrush, the kind used by artists, to mix the powder in the bowl or cup with a few drops of a clear alcoholic spirit or flavor extract. Vodka or gin can be used as well as clear vanilla or lemon extract.
3
Apply the paint to your fondant with the mixing brush.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

1
Dampen the surface of your fondant by brushing water or another liquid over it if using Wilton's Primary Shimmer Dust.
2
Sprinkle the Primary Shimmer Dust from its jar onto the damp fondant.
3
Shake off the excess powder and reserve it for decorating other fondant pieces.

Community Q&A

Question

Do I add the shimmer dusting powder to the edges of my flowers before or after steaming my petal dusted flowers?

Community Answer

Shimmer dusting powder should be added last, after everything else. If not, it will just come off.
Question

Can you mix fondant with beer?

Community Answer

You can, but the fondant will become part of the beer so your beer will become very sweet.
Question

Can I use lust dust with menthylated spirit?

Community Answer

Although luster dust can be used on an array of drinks, I wouldn't recommend it for methylated spirit, as that is toxic. Maybe try it with beer, a cocktail, or champagne.

Warnings

Do not eat highlighting dusts, which come in gold and silver.

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Do not mix water with dusting powder in general. Most powders are not water-soluble.

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Do not use your chosen brush for anything other than applying dusting powder to fondant.

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