Decorations - Bubble Sugar - KA

By mariannefeldman

kingarthurflour.com - blog

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2011/07/01/twinkie-cupcakes-with-fruit-fillings-with-bonus-bubble-sugar-demo/

try putting into silicone molds to make shapes instead of shards?

Ingredients

• Looking for a fast, easy way to jazz up your cupcakes? Try Bubble Sugar!

Preparation

Step 1

Start by crunching up a piece of parchment paper in your hand. You’re looking to make lots of wrinkles in the paper.



Smooth the paper out in a half sheet pan with a lip. Leave some texture, though.



Heat 1/2 cup water with 3/4 cup sugar plus 1 1/2 tablespoons corn syrup over medium-high heat, until the sugar is completely dissolved.



Continue to cook the sugar solution without stirring until it reaches 315°F. The sugar will go from clear to a very light amber color.



While the sugar is heating, spread 2 tablespoon of clear liquor over the parchment. I used vodka; definitely not top shelf, just plain ol’ bar vodka.

Because I was making these cupcakes with a patriotic theme, I colored the vodka with red and blue gel paste food coloring.

‘

Note to self: Use a brush to spread the colors next time.



When the sugar reaches temperature, slightly tilt the pan and let the hot sugar run in slow drizzles down the pan.



As the sugar hits the alcohol, it will bubble and fizz. If your alcohol is colored, you’ll get great swirls and blending of color with the plain sugar. Check out those funky bubbles!



If you want to create a few more swirls to blend colors, you can carefully use a toothpick to mix. Keep in mind that the more you mix, the fewer bubbles you’ll end up with.



Set the sugar aside to cool completely. You can then lift it from the parchment and hold it up to the light while you giggle in delight. WOW! I can’t believe how easy this edible art is!



Break the sugar into shards. You can wedge them into filled cupcakes for a really spectacular fireworks display of your own. (Keep in mind the sharp sugar edges if you’re serving kids).



If you want to skip the food coloring, you can still use the plain vodka and then sprinkle your favorite colored sugar on the hot sheet of syrup. Quick and fancy!

I hope you enjoy these Twinkling Good Cupcakes for your next picnic, with or without the bubble sugar. They’re an All-American treat straight from your home and heart.

Please bake, rate, and review our recipe for Twinkling Good Vanilla Snack Cakes.

Print just the recipe.

Tags: 4th of July, cupcakes, decorating, special, sugar, Twinkies

This entry was posted on Friday, July 1st, 2011 at 5:32 am and is filed under cakes, miscellaneous, view all. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pinging is currently not allowed.