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| Disco dust (aka pixie dust)--edible glitter for cake decorating. |
On berries to add a little bit of magic to the the Cornish fairy party:
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| Disco dust adds fairy magic to raspberries. |
On cookies and chocolate frogs (sneak peek for tomorrow's Harry Potter party post):
And of course on cakes:
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| Pixie dust instantly makes toadstools magical. |
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| Disco dust sparkling up a Rainbow Unicorn cake |
The secret to easy, even application is the little shaker posted in the first picture. Scroll back up and check it out. I'll wait.
I've tried every other technique I've read about, but so far, nothing has come close to the easy and fabulous look of that little shaker that costs just a few cents. I buy mine at ABC Cake Decorating in Phoenix, and as far as I know, they're the only ones who have figured this trick out. See the two shakers in the background with pink and blue lids? That's because these little shakers started their lives as cupcake toppers for baby showers (I presume as faux baby powder containers). When ABC started carrying disco dust a few years ago, one of the employees had the brilliant notion that these little cupcake toys would make the perfect disco dust applicator. And she was right. So very, very right.
I'm a firm believer in having the right tool for the job. I've tried baking in friends' kitchens without all my supplies and it made me realize why some people hate baking. I would, too, if I didn't have the right tools for the job!
These disco dust shakers are the right tool. Sure, I occasionally dip the occasional item directly in the vat of sparkle for really thick coverage. But nearly all the time, this little piece of plastic is exactly what I need. It's the best $.39 I ever spent.
Nicole, I really enjoy your blog and seeing all your great ideas. Can you tell me the difference in the dusts? There's Luster Dust, Petal Dust, Pixie (Disco) Dust, and Wilton Pearl Dust (and others I'm sure). Are they all edible? Why might you choose one over the other and which is the best all purpose dust? Also, I noticed your link to ABC Cake Decorating isn't working right.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheila! I fixed the link (had the wrong URL in my clipboard, obviously!).
ReplyDeleteThey're all edible, but they do different things.
Wilton dusts = worthless, in my book. Don't waste your money.
Pixie (disco) dust = edible glitter. Gorgeous, sparkly, addictive. NOT the same as Wilton's edible glitter. Much, much better.
Luster Dust = great for adding shimmer and subtle shading. I use it all the time in cake decorating to add a realistic depth of color plus some shine. It's not sparkly, it's more opalescent.
Petal Dust = same as luster dust, but without the luster. It's just flat color. Great for making your own sprinkle colors, and again, subtle and realistic shading effects.