This page shows how to use silicon, fondant and other molds to make interesting gelatin shapes.
To find out more about gelatin art flowers, visit our instructions page here.
To make shapes using molds, we recommend that you use a thick, cream-based color base because it thickens up quickly and comes out of the mold more easily. The thickness also slows down the color bleed, preventing the colors from spreading from their intended spot quickly.
To make the shape more interesting, use different colors to highlight separate sections of the mold (eyes, nose, tummy, etc.). Add a little bit of food coloring to the base and fill the desired sections.
Wait for the first layer of the color base to thicken up completely before continuing. A few minutes in the fridge are usually sufficient.
When the first layer is set, fill the mold with a contrasting color.
When using small fondant molds, fill them with a syringe ensuring there are no air bubbles trapped in small crevices. You can also use a small brush to rub the color base into all corners of the mold.
Remember that the color base will shrink as it dries. If you are using very small molds, fill them as high as you can to account for the shrinkage.
When the mold is completely filled, allow the color base to set for several hours. When the edges of the shape are starting to detach from the mold, it is ready to be taken out.
You may be able to take the shape out sooner, if you don't want to wait for it to be completely set or want to re-use the same mold multiple times, but do it gently as it will be quite soft.
Run a toothpick alongside the edge of the mold to release the shape from the mold.
If your mold is smooth, you should be able to lift the shape out of it easily.
If the shape is sticking to the mold, you may have to dip it into warm water for a few seconds to release it. This should only be attempted with large shapes, small shapes will melt and lose their shape in warm water.
When the shape is out of the container and you are ready to immerse it in clear gelatin, rub a little bit of clear gelatin onto it before placing it. This will prevent the formation of air bubbles around the shape.
When you are placing the shape into clear gelatin, pour a little bit of gelatin into the container first and lower the shape into it. Add enough liquid gelatin to make sure the shape is floating but do not fill the container completely. Allow the first layer to set before continuing.
When the first layer of clear gelatin has thickened up a bit, pour another layer to ensure the back of your shape is covered with clear gelatin too.
You have several options when placing the molded shape into your gelatin dessert:
1. You can place the shape at the back of your flowers:
2. You can place it in the middle of the dessert
3. You can place it on the side of your gelatin art cake:
4. You can place it on the outside edge of a finished dessert:
You can make all kinds of shapes using this method.
If you are making a larger shape, you can serve it as a delicious dessert all by itself.
You can also use them as cake toppers.
Another way to use baking pans as molds is to fill them with colorful clear gelatin. Pour a little bit of colored gelatin in the mold and allow it to set. Fill the rest of the mold with a creamy mousse of your choice. You can find several recipes on our recipes page here.
Please note that clear gelatin will take longer to set than the color base and you may need to place it into warm water for a second or two to release it from the pan.
To find out more about gelatin art, visit our instructions page here.
To purchase supplies for making gelatin art, visit our online store.
