How to Cast (Mold) Sugar (aka Cast Sugar 101 - Part 1)

In this first part of my two-video Cast Sugar 101 series, I show how to cast (aka mold) granulated sugar into a variety of shapes, which can then be used to create sculptural cake separators, keepsake vases and bottles, and other favors. (Yes, this is the same technique used to make the shells in those classic panorama Easter eggs with windows and little vignettes inside.) In addition to providing the basic recipe, I also share tips about which molds work best, how to evenly tint the sugar, and when and how to carve out windows and inner cavities. (NOTE: While theoretically edible, cast sugar becomes extremely hard upon drying. So these pieces are largely for decorative purposes.)
Stay tuned for Part 2, which provides creative ways to use leftover carved-out sugar, and my separate cast sugar container video, which shows how to put these pieces together.
IF YOU LIKE THIS VIDEO, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel. It is only through your support that I can afford to make more videos. THANK YOU!
RELATED LINKS:
Cast Sugar 101 - Part 2 video (How to Repurpose Leftover Sugar): tinyurl.com/m4rmmbu
Cast Sugar Container video: tinyurl.com/kurg283
Mini Tart Molds source (perfect size for small container bases and lids): tinyurl.com/qeercfu
Medium Tart Molds source (perfect size for small container vessels, though many other containers can also work well): tinyurl.com/nxeutse
RELATED RECIPE AND NOTES:
1. Basic cast sugar = 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1 tablespoon cool water (mold when damp; air-dry 3 hours before carving out insides; air-dry overnight to thoroughly dry)
2. Rigid glass and tin molds work better for this project than silicone molds, which can misshape during the unmolding process and, in turn, misshape the sugar.
CREDITS:
Video by: Kat Touschner, katcory.wordpress.com
Music by: Kevin MacLeod, www.incompetech.com
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[@daneekaplan4284]

I made sugar eggs from a kit Martha Stewart sold years ago when she had her catalog. I wasn't so thrilled with the finished pieces but now that I see your tutorial I am excited to try again. I saved the molds- ironic since it has been about 15 years since I made them! But I am head-over-heels in love with your stacked pieces. Gorgeous and unique.

[@carmennixon2300]

You're just amazing, love every video you post. Thank you very much for sharing. I really appreciate it.

[@samanthaelsworth4875]

Wow what an amazing video and idea. Love all your work. X

[@yeseniamedina2979]

Sooo cool! I saw a picture on fb of sugar skulls and I was so! Amazed I was wondering how they did it:) now I thank you!

[@NoahGreeneCooking]

This is really cool Julia! I can't wait to try out this technique, thank you for sharing! :)

[@giulianaeuripide7343]

It looks so fluffy and spongy and delicious

[@alexiss680]

This video was amazing and informative! I’m having a tea and thinking about making these. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@JuliaMUsher]

You are so welcome! So glad the video was helpful! I'd love to see what you make, so please share.

[@fairylights3064]

Wow this is so cool!

[@fairylights3064]

***** :D

[@hazeldelossantos7660]

this is awesome! a very nice giveaways or whatsoever.. this really is amazing! thanks!

[@hazeldelossantos7660]

i really love to see how you do it! it looks easy but i know it takes a lot of practice! =)

[@Sugarnlace]

Awesome I'm going to do this for a baby shower! How cute!!

[@michelesullivan8368]

I want to try this. Very pretty.

[@annd.h.1336]

Cant wait to give this a try! Thnx Julia!

[@joewilliams2815]

Hello pretty how are you doing?

[@thumbprintminiatures]

How simple and elegant! Looks crunchy (like a sugar cube). When I was younger my grandmother used to keep a bowl of sugar cubes on her table, and I would always eat them.. That's what they kind of remind me of - giant pretty sugar cubes! :) yum!

[@thumbprintminiatures]

***** Great! Looking forward to watching that video this weekend! :D

[@mommyandmissy]

That's cool. Thanks

[@Mkate789]

So cool! But one question, can you use like a drop of liquid food color instead of gel? Thanks

[@marypaoletti69]

lovely🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@halabrothers1565]

very very nice

[@punnedit3620]

Do you use regular granulated sugar or extra fine? I would think that extra fine would give you a finer texture and allow for more detail.

[@LoveLandforChrist]

Intriguing Tfs

[@JanetSeeds]

I don't like sweets (give me olives! pretzels! chips!), I don't bake (except savory breads), and I'm pretty certain I'll never try any of your projects... but I really enjoy your videos because they're so well done and your creations are so beautiful and imaginative. Thanks for the entertainment!

[@patpatt4085]

went to school to learn cooking - and they told me to use egg whites to make cast sugar. What is the advantage or disadvantage ? Thanks, Your are wonderful....amazing work!

[@elifolha]

Muito gracioso ! Seu talento é suntuoso e sua criatividade é infinita ! Ah ! me mande um abraço quando der entrevista a imprensa brasileira !

[@elifolha]

Te desejo uma fascinante viagem, e que essa seja a primeira de muitas visitas suas em meu querido país !

[@neleemapurohit1352]

nice

[@Angelina-fk9bi]

Would this also work with powdered food colouring? And I saw in your other video that you used icing and fondant to glue separate pieces together, but would you think sugar glue could also work for these pieces (especially when working with non-hollowed out halves to create a 3D effect)? I'm currently trying to make a wyvern mold, and was thinking about using two halves, made of clay, with plastic wrap between the clay and the sugar to keep it food safe.

[@Angelina-fk9bi]

@@JuliaMUsher Thank you for your fast reply, and I'm glad to hear that royal icing would hold such pieces together well. I meant edible glue (woops..), which contains acetic acid, and no eggs whatsoever. Do you recon that that would also work? Also another question: how long would such pieces remain edible for?

[@wendywomyncakes2380]

Hi Julia.....could I use a silicone mold as long as the opening is larger then any other part as you mentioned?

[@wendywomyncakes2380]

+Julia M Usher thank you!

[@belleamourbloggerbelleamou1929]

In our Bengali tradition we actually have a sugar ceremony before a wedding and I was thinking of making these creative creations - thank you for the inspiration! I was wondering if I made them plain with no colouring if it can dissolve in tea ?😊

[@JuliaMUsher]

Sounds great! As I answered elsewhere: Yes, the mix is just sugar and water, so it will of course dissolve in water. In fact, I already have another video where I turn leftover sugar mix into smaller molded sugar cubes. You might want to search my channel for it. Thanks for watching and I'd love to see your creation with this technique.

[@bubbles_addiction2660]

Dear Julia, what if after a month your outcome gets in contact with water... does it split??? I suppose yes or am I wrong??? Thank you :)

[@bubbles_addiction2660]

+Julia M Usher Thank you :)

[@greysonaskew3903]

What could you use these for? Apart from just decorating.

[@erina6319]

Teatime instead of sugar cubes of you made them tiny would be cute.

[@sangeetart2317]

Hello Julia , Awesome vedio .. thanks for sharing. I m your new subscriber . Is that food colour?

[@sangeetart2317]

Liqua gel !!! now I m got it.. I just wanted to know what is the particular name of the pink food colour .. Thanks

[@LGCblessed]

You are fantastic! : ) Quick question. I have heard Joe Bastianich stating that cooking is a craft not art. I just wonder if what you do is not art I don't know what it is :D (maybe he was talking about one aspect of it like doing things correctly like learning to walk before you run but anyway I am just a home cook in progress ha ha). Love your channel! Thank you for sharing : )

[@erina6319]

Any craft can become art because art has no specific mediums that it needs to be :) even sewing, wood carving, reed weaving, and furniture building are displayed in galleries sometimes! ❤ And many artists like the fact that mediums such as sand and food art are temporary.

[@123lilcaroline]

One of the first 10 comments !!!!!!

[@christinateruel]

Will these molds dissolve in water if submerged?

[@erina6319]

Yes, eventually. They use a similar process to make sugar cubes :)

[@belleamourbloggerbelleamou1929]

Are you able to put this mould into tea?

[@JuliaMUsher]

Yes, they are just sugar and water. In fact, I already have another video where I turn leftover sugar mix into smaller molded sugar cubes. You might want to search my channel for it.

[@user-rf2it9uv2p]

🍀☘️👍💥

[@JuliaMUsher]

I am so glad to see you are enjoying my videos. Thanks for all of the very nice comments.

[@raquelbates434]

It looks difficult to do.

[@raquelbates434]

The way you have to poke a hole in the sugar mold.

[@raquelbates434]

Thanks for the tip.

[@kiaraisaac5916]

Can you still lick them even tho they are hard as rock