When it comes to cake decorating, there’s a wide variety of edible gums to choose from. Among these, gum arabic stands out for its unique properties and applications. Often confused with other gums like gum tragacanth or CMC, gum arabic plays a critical role in achieving the perfect texture and finish for your cake designs. If you’ve ever wondered, “What does gum arabic do in icing?”—this article provides a comprehensive answer to help you understand its many uses and benefits.
What is Gum Arabic?
Gum arabic, also known as gum acacia, is a natural gum derived from the hardened sap of two types of Acacia trees (Acacia Senegal and Acacia Seyal) that grow in the African Sahel region. This gum is used in a wide variety of industries, from food production to cosmetics and even in fireworks. In cake decorating, gum arabic has long been a go-to ingredient due to its versatility and remarkable properties.
The Role of Gum Arabic in Icing
In cake decorating, gum arabic serves several purposes, especially when incorporated into icings like royal icing. Let’s explore the different ways gum arabic enhances icing and contributes to the final result:
1. Enhancing Texture and Stability
Gum arabic acts as a stabilizer in icings, helping them maintain their shape and consistency. When added to royal icing, it strengthens the icing’s structure, ensuring it holds up well during the decorating process. For example, gum arabic helps royal icing form a smooth, glossy finish that can be easily manipulated into intricate designs without losing its form. This is particularly helpful when you need your icing to dry hard and maintain its integrity over time.
2. Improving Drying Time and Finish
One of the standout qualities of gum arabic in icing is its ability to influence drying time and finish. When used in royal icing, it allows the icing to dry with a high gloss, giving your cake decorations a polished, professional look. Gum arabic creates a sheen on the surface of sugarpaste or marzipan, and the more layers you apply, the shinier the finish becomes. However, it’s important to let each layer dry before adding another to avoid smudging.
3. As a Glue for Cake Decorations
Gum arabic can also be used as an edible glue, making it incredibly useful for adhering delicate sugar decorations together. To create gum arabic glue, mix the powder with warm water (typically 2 teaspoons of gum arabic to 60ml of water), and you’ll have a perfect adhesive for securing sugar pieces like flowers, fondant shapes, or edible beads. This glue dries clear and firm, ensuring that your decorations stay intact.
4. Contributing to Smooth, Firm Icing
When you mix gum arabic with royal icing, it helps create a firm yet smooth texture. This is particularly important for cookie decorating, where you need an icing that not only holds its shape but also dries hard enough to stack the cookies without damaging the design. By adding gum arabic to your icing, you’ll achieve that perfect balance between smoothness and stability.
How to Use Gum Arabic in Icing
Now that we understand the benefits of gum arabic in icing, here’s how you can incorporate it into your recipes:
How to Use Gum Arabic in Icing
Ingredients
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1 tablespoon gum arabic
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2/3 cup water
- Additional water as needed
- Food coloring optional
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar. Beat until stiff peaks form.
- In a separate bowl, mix powdered sugar and gum arabic. Add to the meringue mixture and beat on low, then medium speed until stiff peaks form.
- Once the royal icing is ready, divide it into small containers and cover with a damp cloth to prevent drying out.
- To adjust the consistency, add small amounts of water until the icing is fluid but not watery. Test by dropping a small amount from a spoon onto wax paper—it should smooth itself in about 10 seconds.
- If the icing runs too much, add more powdered sugar; if too thick, add more water.
Making Edible Glitter with Gum Arabic
If you want to add a bit of sparkle to your cake designs, gum arabic is your best friend. Mix gum arabic with edible glitter to create a perfect glaze that gives your cakes that magical, glimmering effect. Whether it’s for a children’s birthday party or a glamorous wedding cake, this simple addition can elevate your decorating game.
More Fun Uses of Gum Arabic in Baking
Aside from its role in icing, gum arabic can be used in other aspects of baking and cake decorating. For example:
- In Baking: Add gum arabic powder to the dry ingredients when baking sponge cakes. It helps the cake rise and adds natural soluble fiber to the batter, enhancing both texture and nutrition.
- As a Varnish: Use gum arabic to create a glossy finish for sugarpaste or marzipan. It can be layered to achieve a high-gloss finish, ideal for giving your cake decorations a professional sheen.
Conclusion
Gum arabic is a versatile and invaluable ingredient in cake decorating. Whether you’re using it to create smooth, glossy icings, as an edible glue, or adding a bit of sparkle to your designs, gum arabic can elevate your cakes to new heights. Its ability to enhance texture, stability, and finish makes it a must-have for any serious cake decorator. Next time you’re working on a cake, remember to reach for gum arabic to achieve that perfect, professional look!