How to Use Isomalt to Make Geode Birthday Cupcakes

• Lynsey Macdonald

Isomalt is such a handy ingredient to have in your cake decorating kit! It can be transformed into so many beautiful decorations. One really effective way to use it is for creating crystal or geode designs. So, we worked with our talented friend Judit (@yoras.cakes) to create one of our new favourite tutorials. Read on to learn how to use isomalt to make geode birthday cupcakes!

These eye catching treats are sure to be the hit of any birthday party! And they're much easier to make than you might think.

Contents

1. Geode birthday cupcake video tutorial 2. Ingredients you'll need 3. Tools you'll need 4. Step-by-step guide 5. Tag us in your isomalt geode creations

Does seeing a tutorial in action work better for you than reading a step-by-step guide? Check out the full video tutorial Judit made for us here (or click through to YouTube to check out all of our videos after this one!)...

What you need to make Geode Birthday Cupcakes

Ingredients:

Tools:

Tutorial - Isomalt Geode Birthday Cupcakes

Before you begin, have your cupcakes baked and cooled, ready to decorate!

Remember to always proceed with caution as hot isomalt will stick to skin and cause severe burns. We recommend wearing gloves, protective clothing and melting in small amounts. Keep away from children.

Start off by preparing your Isomalt. Follow the instructions on your chosen product - Judit used the FunCakes Isomalt here, which is prepared as follows...

  1. Melt the isomalt in a heat-resistant bowl in the microwave at max 700W. Stir well every 20-30 seconds and continue heating in the microwave. Repeat 4-6 times.
  2. Make sure that the isomalt is completely melted before further processing the product.
  3. Fill a bowl with cold water. Make sure the bowl of isomalt fits in the water bowl.
  4. Place the bowl with isomalt in the bowl of cold water for about 5 seconds.
  5. The isomalt is now tempered and you can move on to the fun bit! Pour your isomalt out on to a non-stick silicone mat and add a splash of each of your colourings. Use your palette knife to swirl them out into an ombre pattern.
  6. Once it has set (this may take ten or fifteen minutes) it's time to smash it! Carefully (stand back, we recommend wearing goggles at this stage to be safe) break up your isomalt into crystal pieces (aim for a range of sizes) using a wooden hammer or rolling pin.
  7. Pipe a deep layer of buttercream onto each cupcake – stay centred so it creates a hill/peaked shape in the middle!
  8. Turn your cupcake upside down and press down on a piece of baking paper/parchment paper on a baking tray. Keep pressing until your see the buttercream appearing at the edge of the cupcake – don’t let it spill over!
  9. Pop your upside down cupcakes in the fridge to chill for at least 20mins, but anywhere up to an hour (the longer the better!).
  10. Once you’re happy the buttercream has a firm surface to decorate, carefully peel the parchment paper off and you’re left with a perfect flat top!
  11. Add some black colouring to buttercream, and pop into a piping bag - use a very narrow piping tip or simply cut the tiniest end off your piping bag to give you the most control.
  12. Use a knife to carefully cut out an uneven section of buttercream and pipe in some black buttercream to act as the rock underneath your crystals!
  13. Carefully press your geode crystal shards into the chocolate, taking time to get them looking exactly how you want!
  14. Sprinkle some of the PME Magic Sparkles on top for some added sparkle and shine!
  15. And finally, paint around the edge of each section with some shiny gold edible paint - this is optional but it adds such an effective finishing touch to your geode birthday cupcakes.

It's time to make your own isomalt geode creations!

There we have it! A step-by-step guide to creating super cute geode birthday cupcakes using isomalt! Thank you so much to the amazing @yoras.cakes for creating the tutorial for us. All photos and the video in this post are thanks to Judit!

We cannot wait to see your isomalt geode creations! Whether you follow this tutorial exactly to make cupcakes, or use it as inspo to decorate a bigger cake, we want to know!

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook and share your recreations with us – we can’t wait to see the spin you put on these bakes. As always, add the hashtag #CakeDecFamous for a chance to be featured!

Looking for more inspiration for you upcoming bakes?

How to Make Helium Balloon Cake Toppers

How to Make a Chocolate Number Cake Topper

Join us on a Summer Bakecation to the Dreamiest Destinations!

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