A Beginner’s Guide to Using Edible Dust Sprays for Cake Decorating

Cake decor has become more extravagant each year. Especially with bakers on TikTok showing off their latest creations by experimenting with different tools, people have turned these experiments into full-on trends. Now, amateur bakers are excited to learn new ways to turn their baked goods into Instagrammable moments specially using edible dust sprays.

One such trend has been the glitter cake trend. A wise person once said, “Glitter makes everything better!” This has become quite true with so many bakers showcasing their latest sweet creations decorated with edible glitter.

However, it can be pretty hard to learn how to apply edible glitter dust to cakes, which is why many bakers like to use sprays. In this blog, we will examine these tools to learn how to apply edible dust sprays to baked goods. Let’s get started!

What is an Edible Dust Spray?

Edible dust spray is the new and more efficient way of handling edible glitter. Not only are they mess-free, but they are also easy to use.

Types of Edible Dust Sprays

There are two main types of edible dust sprays:

Luster Finish

These edible dust sprays are used to give a spray paint-like texture to a cake. However, instead of giving a glittering surface finish, these sprays give off an appearance that is more similar to a metallic shine. Examples of two edible dust sprays with a lustre finish are the Yoshi Yellow Dust Spray and the Valentine Red Powder Puff Dust Spray by Sugarflair.

Shimmer Finish

These edible dust sprays are used to give off the look of real glitter. These edible dust sprays are what give off that fairytale, glittery finish to your cakes. Two examples of shimmery edible dust sprays are the Fusion Green Edible Glitter Dust Spray and the Midnight Black Edible Glitter Dust Spray by Sugarflair.

Tips for Using Edible Dust Sprays

Test it Before Use

Before using the edible spray dust, you should first test out the spraying mechanism away from your cake. This will allow you to gauge the spraying speed, the patterns it can make, and how you can control it to get your desired appearance.

Practice

Of course, just testing will only get you so far. The best way to learn how you can make your design pop is by practice. We recommend using styrofoam cake dummies from Cake Craft UAE as they give you all the surface area of a regular cake with the ease of not having to clean up afterwards.

Prep the Surface

Once you are confident that you can execute the design of your choice on the cake, it’s time to prep the surface. The surface needs to be clean and dry, so make sure that the cake icing has been smoothened and leave to set in the freezer until it’s dry.

Use Different Spraying Methods

You can use many different types of spraying methods to achieve various looks. Let us explore a few:

An Even Dispersion of Glitter

This technique is used when you want to have a shimmery cake that is evenly spread over glitter. To achieve this look, place your cake on a turntable stand and rotate it. Spray in an up-and-down motion to get an even dispersion. Keep spraying in the same manner until you get your desired level of glitter finish.

Star-like Sparkles

Getting the star-like sparkle appearance may seem complicated, but once you get the hang of it, this technique will quickly become your go-to. All you need to do is keep the nozzle of the spray bottle over the cake in a way that the spray bottle remains upright. This may seem like you will end up spraying in the air instead of the cake but trust the process.

Now spray the air in four to five quick successions. The glitter dust will fall on the cake instead of dissipating in the air, and you will get your star-like sparkles. Repeat if you want more glitter.

• Spraying an Arch

This technique involves using cardboard as a shield. First, you need to cut your cardboard into an arch and hold it against the cake without coming in contact with the frosting. Start spraying half on the cardboard and half outside it. Make sure not to move the card or you may end up with an uneven arch. You can repeat the process throughout the cake or only at a singular point, according to your preferences.

• Spraying Highlights

You can also use the edible dust spray to add highlights to your sugary treats. Just spray from the top and make sure to do it in even swipes throughout the cake. It will give the cake a glittery glow without having to cover every inch of it with glitter.

Leave To Dry

Once you are done with your decor, leave the cake to set in the freezer until it is time to cut it.

How to Troubleshoot for Common Issues?

The Nozzle is Blocked

If you are unable to spray, there is a high chance that the nozzle is blocked. This could be from the edible dust getting clumped up in the nozzle, resulting in blockages.

The best course of action is to unscrew the nozzles and submerge them under relatively hot water. The water itself should not be boiling. When submerged, pull the trigger so the water can run inside the tubing, and everything can be cleared out. Once the blockage is clear, dry it and use the edible dust spray as intended.

The Tube Length is Small

Although this should not happen, tubing with shorter lengths could be due to a manufacturing issue. If such a problem occurs you can transfer your edible dust spray into another spray bottle or replace the tubing, entirely.

The Tube has a Hole

If the spray bottle does not seem to be working properly, this could also be due to a hole in the tubing due to wear. The same solution should apply in this case. Just replace the tubing or use another spray bottle.

The Spring is Broken or Missing

If the spring in the bottle is broken or missing, the trigger will not work at all. You can find replacements from a hardware store or you can just get a new bottle entirely.

The Glitter is Clumping Up

If the glitter comes out of the spray clumped up, you need to check the expiry. In the case that it is not expired, make sure that you have not exposed the spray to water. Another precaution you should take is making sure that the frosting or buttercream in your cake is completely dry, or the glitter will get clumped on spraying.

The Spray is Uneven and Not Continuous

If the spray is not uneven, it is either about to run out or has a blocked nozzle. You can clear the nozzle using the method we explained earlier in the blog and if the spray runs out, you can get a new edible glitter spray for cakes from Cake Craft UAE!

To Wrap Up

Now that we have armed you with all the knowledge on how to make your cakes sparkle, we hope you feel more confident in wielding your edible dust spray to achieve magical, Instagram-worthy creations. Mastering the art of cake decorating with these sprays can take your baking game to dazzling new heights.

Keep in mind that every artist was once an amateur, and every cake can be your canvas waiting to be jazzed up. So, let your kitchen be the laboratory where delicious masterpieces are born!