Many people are intimidated by making hard candy decorations. Isomalt is a great way for beginners and professionals to make hard candy decorations.  Isomalt is much easier to work with then traditional cooked sugar. The pre-cooked isomalt sticks are even easier to use. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions that people have about using isomalt. 

1. Is isomalt safe to eat? Yes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed isomalt and declared it GRAS, or Generally Regarded as Safe. That designation means the substance has been approved by the FDA for its intended use as a food additive, similar to baking soda, sugar and corn syrup.

Isomalt is made from sugar, tastes like sugar and has half the calories of sugar. It does not cause dental cavities and is the most popular sweetener in the world, behind sucrose/sugar. Isomalt has a low glycemic response, and therefore is used in many dietetic candies.

The manufacturer recommends ingesting no more than 50 grams of isomalt a day within a normal diet to avoid a laxative effect. Just like many high-fiber foods, the consumption of isomalt in moderate amounts is well-tolerated by most people. 

2. Are CakePlay Isomalt Sticks kosher? Not at this time. 

3. How long do I melt CakePlay’s isomalt sticks in the microwave? Since microwave ovens vary in wattage, we don’t indicate a specific amount of melting time on our package.

Most decorators have success in melting 1-2 broken sticks in an ovenproof bowl or measuring cup for 45 seconds on high power. After that, you can stir the isomalt and keep melting in 15-second increments until the isomalt is the desired consistency. Allow any bubbles to subside before pouring into your desired mold or proceeding with any other decorating technique. 

4. Can CakePlay’s Isomalt Sticks be used in pulled and blown sugar projects? Yes. Professional cake artists have successfully used our pure isomalt product in various pulled and blown sugar pieces with no problems.

Our isomalt does not contain acid, which is sometimes added to isomalt to make it softer and easier to work, but pastry chefs and cake professionals have found it to have adequate pliability for their projects. 

5. Can I flavor the isomalt? Yes. Flavoring oils may be added to isomalt as desired. LorAnn Oils recommends ½ to 1 teaspoon of flavoring per pound of melted CakePlay isomalt.  However, some flavoring oils impart a color to the product, or contain fine particulates that can detract from the clarity of the isomalt.

We recommend testing your flavoring with a small amount of isomalt and observing the results before proceeding with candy production. 

6. Can CakePlay’s isomalt sticks be tinted to another color? Yes. CakePlay has had good success with gel colors, especially since they impart less moisture to the product.

Just touch the tip of a popsicle stick to your desired gel color. Then touch that tip of the popsicle stick to the hot isomalt right after it comes out of the microwave. Let the moisture sizzle off before stirring in the gel color. For a fun “swirled” look, don’t stir the gel color in completely. 

7. Can I burn isomalt? Yes, but only with significant overheating. This is why we recommend adding time to the microwave in small increments. When melted properly, isomalt can be heated multiple times.

Typically, the color breaks down long before the isomalt, and you should be able to heat the product several times without detrimental effects. 

8. When do I put finished pieces on a cake? CakePlay recommends placing finished isomalt pieces into an air-tight container until just before displaying your cake.

If you live in a high-humidity environment, you may want to add a desiccant to the container with your finished piece. CakePlay offers desiccant packets in its product line. Do not refrigerate finished pieces, as the refrigerator is a humid environment. 

9. Will my melted isomalt have a cloudy appearance? CakePlay’s isomalt sticks are very clear. However, the mat or mold used to cast the isomalt can give it a cloudy appearance, depending on its surface, composition and/or density.

Typically, a mold with a tighter cell structure will give better results. One technique to try for improved clarity is to rub a little vegetable oil onto the mold, then wipe it off before pouring in the melted isomalt. You can also use a crème brulee torch to restore surface clarity. Use a light sweep with the torch to avoid losing surface detail. 

10. My molded piece looks cloudy. What should I do? There are a number of factors which may be causing the cloudiness in your finished piece: (A) If you’re using a silicone mold (or some silicone mats), the silicone may not have been properly manufactured. Only use top-quality molds.

(B) Excess humidity in your area and/or preparation location can cause cloudiness. Use desiccant packets when you store your finished pieces to alleviate this issue.

(C) Lightly run the flame from a crème brulee torch carefully over the mold’s surface to remove cloudiness.

(D) Lightly rub oil onto the mold’s surface, then remove the excess with a clean cloth or paper towel.

(E) Do not refrigerate molded pieces. Store in an air-tight container with a desiccant until just before display.

11. Will CakePlay’s isomalt sticks work in a high-humidity environment? Isomalt works much better than sugar in areas of high humidity, but will still absorb moisture, although more slowly, and will not crystallize. As with fondant and gumpaste, cake artists and pastry chefs will want to take some precautions when working with our product:

(A) Immediately after finishing a sugar showpiece, store it in an air-tight container with a desiccant such as silica gel. Do not remove the piece from the container until just before display.

(B) Unused isomalt sticks should be stored in an air-tight container away from light, heat and humidity.

(C) Leftover melted isomalt can be poured onto a Silpat mat, cooled and stored.

(D) Those in high-humidity environments can also protect their finished creations with an edible lacquer spray or confectionery glaze.

(E) In areas of extreme humidity, work with isomalt on clear, sunny days when the humidity is lower, or use a room dehumidifier.

Here are the links to the isomalt sticks:

Blue Isomalt Sticks: http://www.shopbakersnook.com/m5/8415--isomalt-sticks-blue-pre-cooked-isomalt-by-cake-play.html

Clear Isomalt Sticks: http://www.shopbakersnook.com/m5/8412--isomalt-sticks-clear-pre-cooked-isomalt-by-cake-play.html

Green Isomalt Sticks: http://www.shopbakersnook.com/m5/8414--isomalt-sticks-green-pre-cooked-isomalt-by-cake-play.html

Orange Isomalt Sticks: http://www.shopbakersnook.com/m5/8936--isomalt-sticks-orange-pre-cooked-isomalt-by-cake-play.html

Red Isomalt Sticks: http://www.shopbakersnook.com/m5/8413--isomalt-sticks-red-pre-cooked-isomalt-by-cake-play.html

Yellow Isomalt Sticks: http://www.shopbakersnook.com/m5/8937--isomalt-sticks-yellow-pre-cooked-isomalt-by-cake-play.html

Isomalt Mix:http://www.shopbakersnook.com/m5/7113--isomalt-crystals-by-ck-products.html