Edible Gold Stars, Bobbles and Glitter

Our answer

The decorations on the top of the Chocolate Christmas Cake in Christmas (photo p181) include gold dragees, gold edible glitter and gold stars. Some of the supplies can be bought on-line. However in the US dragees are slightly difficult as the FDA do not approve them for consumption so you can only use them for decoration (please remove them before eating the cake) and you cannot buy them in, or have them shipped to, the state of California. You can find gold dragees on-line at NY Cake (see link below). The edible glitter (also known as disco dust) can be bought from NY Cake and also from Fancy Flours (link below).

The stars are pretty difficult to find in the US but it is possible to make your own. You will need to buy some rolled fondant icing (in the UK this is ready to roll icing), roll it out thinly and cut out stars with a small cookie cutter. Then you need to make up some edible gold paint by mixing some gold luster powder (available from the suppliers above) with a clear alcohol (for example vodka). Paint the stars with the gold paint and set them on a wire rack. Let them dry for a couple of days before using.

For the chocolate decorations we would suggest trying your local candy store for some chocolate coated peanuts or chocolate balls.

• NY Cake
• Fancy Flours

In the UK most of the decorations can be bought from Jane Asher and Squires Kitchen:

• Jane Asher
• Squires Shop