Halloween Baking: Blood (coulis) Stained Sugar Glass
You can use this in cake decorating to make a gory cake like the ones here or colour the glass by adding a drop of gel food colouring in the first stage and make a stained glass window effect.
NOTE: Because sugar glass is hygroscopic, you should smash it into shards soon after it is fully cooled or it will start to absorb liquid and soften, losing its brittle quality. If you want to make different-coloured sugar shards, you will need to make a fresh batch for each one – don’t try to split the mix and colour it separately, as you have to work quickly with the liquid before it sets.
Ingredients
500ml water
785g granulated sugar
A few drops of gel food colouring (optional)
250ml liquid glucose
One shallow baking tray, lined with foil or baking paper
Sugar thermometer
Method
Instructions:
1. Place the water, sugar, food colouring (if using) and liquid glucose into a pan with a sugar thermometer attached and stir to combine. Bring to the boil over a medium heat, until it reaches 150°C – approximately 15 minutes. Do not stir once the heat has been turned on, it will come together itself.
2. Remove from the heat and pour the mixture quickly and carefully onto the baking tray. Allow to cool completely.
3. Pop the sugar sheet very carefully out of the tray, then hit the sheet carefully so it cracks into shards.
To Assemble:
Make and ice a cake or a batch of cupcakes and stab a piece of glass into the centre of each. Pour or pipe some red berry jam or coulis onto the glass to create a blood effect.
Photo credit: David Munns
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