Edible Gelatin Balloons for Cake Decorating

 

A long time ago, I learned to make gelatin balloons for cake decoration.  The process is to bloom unflavored gelatin in water, tint with food coloring and then dip greased balloons into the mixture.  When placed on a cake, the balloons create a lovely decoration.

The only downside is that unflavored gelatin, while completely edible, does not taste good on its own at all.

The first time I made a cake with gelatin balloons (Bunch of Balloons Cake), I was able to whisk the centerpiece away, explaining that it was pretty, but tasteless (guests were disappointed).

The second time I made a cake with gelatin balloons (Winnie-the-Pooh Cake), I took the balloons off and explained, but not everyone heard, so when I left the room a couple guests retrieved the balloons and were in for an unpleasant surprise!  Additionally, Spud couldn’t resist and tried one as well.

So this time, I was on a mission.  Could I create a gelatin balloon that was pretty and tasty?

Ultimately, I decided to start with flavored Jell-O, since it has gelatin, flavor, and color, but I figured Jell-O alone wasn’t going to dry firmly, so I decided to run it like an experiment.

I had small bowls with Jell-O powder, then added varying amounts of gelatin and water to come up with a mixture that had enough gelatin to stick to the balloons and dry to a hard shell, and enough Jell-O mix to make it taste good.

Now, the balloons, while having flavor and sweetness, do still have a slight gelatin flavor (because even unflavored gelatin has a taste), but they’re much better than the original!

This week's Sunday Funday is all about celebrating moms, I included this recipe to celebrate my mom with cake and balloons!

Sunday Funday

Mother's Day

• Edible Gelatin Balloons for Cake Decorating from Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Guava Cheese from Sneha's Recipe
• Haldi Doodh Masala Spiced Cupcakes with Burnt Caramel Buttercream from Culinary Cam
• Honey Mustard Chicken Strips from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Pistachio Saffron Muffins from Mayuri's Jikoni
• Rustic Baked Potato Soup from Food Lust People Love
• Shortbread Lemon Squares from Our Good Life

Gelatin Balloons

Small balloons

Vegetable shortening

2 tablespoons Jell-O gelatin, flavor of choice

2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin (2 packets)

8 tablespoons (½ cup) cold water

Blow up small balloons (if balloons are strangely shaped, pinch the top, then bring around and tie the top to the bottom, creating a more rounded shape.  Click here for photos).  Brush with a very small amount of vegetable shortening, wiping off any thick areas of shortening with a paper towel.  Set aside.

Place a wire rack on a baking sheet.

Place the Jell-O, gelatin and water in a bowl and stir to mix.  Set aside for 5 minutes, the mixture will become quite thick.  Place the bowl in the microwave for 10-20 seconds or until the mixture is liquid.

Holding the tied end, dip balloons in the gelatin mixture.  Allow excess to drop off, then place, knot side down on the wire racks.  After all balloons have dried for 5-10 minutes, reheat the gelatin and dip a second time for a thicker coating.

Allow the balloons to dry on the rack 8 hours or overnight to form a hard shell.

Once dried, use a scissors to snip the balloon near the knot.  As the balloon loses air and contracts, it should come neatly away from the shell.  Occasionally a balloon will get a little stuck.  Gently pull the balloon away.  If the shell caves in, use fingers to pop it back into place.

To use, place the balloons on a frosted cake, adhering them to one another with corn syrup.