Our expert contributors, Mary and Brenda Maher of Cakegirls, are thrilled to share a sparkling new tutorial with you!

Unleash Your Inner Baker: Crafting Dazzling Cake Gems

For those passionate about baking, the journey of honing one’s skills and discovering a unique aesthetic in cake artistry is incredibly rewarding. Years spent perfecting techniques can lead to moments of profound satisfaction where you truly “find your voice” in the culinary world. Yet, even the most seasoned bakers can occasionally find themselves in a creative rut, longing for fresh inspiration. This is precisely why the emergence of new, innovative cake trends is so exhilarating. They serve as a vibrant catalyst, broadening our perspectives on design and offering refreshing takes on classic treats that we might never have conceived on our own.

Discovering the Allure of Faceted Cake Gems

One such trend that captured our hearts and imagination was the phenomenon of faceted gem cakes. These exquisite treats first graced our screens and ignited our culinary curiosity after we spotted them during a bakery tour back in 2014. From that moment, we were utterly enchanted. These individual-sized delicacies are a marvel of whimsy, bursting with delicious cake filling and enveloped in a spectacular sparkle that makes them truly irresistible. Their unique, geometric design mimics precious gemstones, transforming a simple dessert into a miniature work of art.

The moment we saw them, we knew we absolutely HAD to bring this dazzling concept to life in our own kitchen. Inspired by their undeniable charm, we embarked on a mission to create a simplified version that would be accessible to every home baker without compromising on visual impact or deliciousness. Our approach involved leveraging readily available, budget-friendly ingredients: reliable candy coating, an inexpensive chocolate mold, and a sprinkle of sugar crystals to amplify that coveted glam factor. What makes these Cake Gems even more appealing is their incredible versatility; you have complete freedom to customize them with your preferred colors and flavor combinations, making them perfect for any occasion or personal taste.

We chose to keep our design on-trend with contemporary colors and opted for a straightforward, delightful cake filling. The entire process, from preparation to the final reveal, was incredibly enjoyable and creatively stimulating. Prepare to impress your friends and family with these faceted beauties – we guarantee they’ll be blown away by your impeccable taste and skill, just as ours were!

Cake Gems: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

by Cakegirls

Essential Supplies for Your Cake Gem Adventure:

• Bright Aqua Blue Cake Pop Filling (or your chosen flavor/color)
• 3-D Diamond Chocolate Mold: The key to achieving that signature faceted look. Ensure it’s clean and dry.
• White Candy Coating: Forms the base for your vibrant colors.
• Light Pink Candy Coating: For a delicate and trendy pop of color.
• Bright Blue Candy Coating: To create a captivating aqua hue.
• Light Green Candy Coating (Optional): Used to refine the aqua shade to perfection.
• Hot Pink Sugar Crystals: Adds a brilliant sparkle and textural contrast.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Crafting Your Vibrant Cake Pop Filling

To achieve our bright blue aqua cake pop filling, start with your favorite yellow cake box mix. Before baking, incorporate blue food coloring directly into the batter until you reach your desired vibrant shade. Bake the cake according to package directions and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, gently crumble the cake into fine pieces, ensuring no large lumps remain. This fine texture is crucial for a smooth filling. Next, thoroughly mix in just enough store-bought icing – typically a few generous scoopfuls – until the mixture comes together and holds its shape when squeezed firmly in your hand. The consistency should be moist but not sticky, allowing it to be easily molded. Once achieved, place the cake filling mixture in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare your candy coating.

2. Preparing Your Colorful Candy Coatings

Divide your white candy coating discs into two separate microwave-safe bowls. To one bowl, add a few light pink candy coating discs to create your pink shade. To the other, add bright blue discs (and a few light green discs if you’re aiming for a specific aqua hue, as we did). Heat each bowl in the microwave on half power, stirring diligently every 30 seconds to prevent scorching and ensure even melting. Continue this process until the coating is fully melted and smooth. To deepen the color, gradually stir in more colored discs until you achieve your preferred vibrancy. If the coating begins to thicken or become less fluid during the process, simply reheat it briefly at half power and stir again. For optimal results, aim for a consistency that is fluid enough to swirl but not overly runny.

As a helpful guideline for achieving the right shades, we typically use approximately twice as much white candy coating as colored discs to create our pastel tones, but feel free to adjust to your personal preference for intensity.

3. Adding the Sparkle Base with Sugar Crystals

Carefully place about 1/4 teaspoon of hot pink sanding sugar into each individual cavity of your 3-D diamond chocolate mold. The sugar crystals will adhere to the first layer of candy coating, creating a dazzling, textured surface that mimics the sparkle of real gems. Ensure the sugar is evenly distributed across the bottom of each cavity.

4. Applying the First Layer of Candy Coating (Pink)

Spoon approximately one tablespoon of the light pink melted candy coating into each cavity, directly over the sugar crystals. Take a clean toothpick and gently stir the coating and sugar together for a few seconds. This helps to evenly distribute the sugar and prevent it from settling in just one spot, ensuring maximum sparkle. Next, carefully tilt and rotate the mold to swirl the coating around, allowing it to coat the interior sides of the cavity in an asymmetrical, artistic pattern. Immediately wipe away any excess coating that spills beyond the mold’s edge with a clean paper towel for a neat finish.

5. Checking Distribution and Chilling the First Layer

To verify that your sugar crystals are beautifully distributed and adhering well, you can carefully flip the mold over and peer into the cavities. Once satisfied with the pattern and coverage, place the entire mold into the refrigerator for approximately 5 minutes. This chilling period is crucial for the candy coating to harden completely, forming a solid base for the next layer.

6. Applying the Second Layer of Candy Coating (Aqua)

Remove the mold from the refrigerator. Now, repeat the coating process using your vibrant aqua melted candy coating. For this layer, use the back of a small spoon to carefully spread the aqua coating over the entire interior surface of each mold cavity, ensuring full and even coverage. This creates a strong, opaque shell. Once both layers are applied and appear smooth, return the mold to the refrigerator for another 5 minutes, allowing this second layer to firm up completely.

7. Filling with Delicious Cake Mixture

Once the candy coating shells are firm, remove the mold from the refrigerator. Now it’s time for the star of the show: the cake filling! Take small portions of your chilled cake pop filling and gently but firmly press it into each candy-coated cavity. Be mindful not to overfill the mold. It’s essential to leave a small amount of space at the top of each cavity, ensuring you have enough room to properly seal the back of the Cake Gem in the next step.

8. Sealing the Back of Your Cake Gems

To seal your Cake Gems, spoon an additional amount of your melted candy coating (you can use either pink or aqua, or even a different color if desired) on top of the cake filling in each cavity. Use a small spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the coating evenly across the back, sealing the cake filling completely within its vibrant shell. Don’t worry if the back looks a little bumpy; this side won’t be visible when displayed, and it won’t affect the deliciousness or overall presentation of your dazzling gems.

9. Final Chill and Demolding for Perfect Gems

With the backs sealed, place the mold into the freezer for approximately 15 minutes, or until the Cake Gems are very firm and completely set. Freezing helps them contract slightly, making the demolding process much easier. Once thoroughly chilled, gently flex the mold to pop out your spectacular gem-shaped treats. They should release cleanly, revealing their intricate facets and sparkling surfaces.

10. Creative Variations and Finishing Touches

Continue to repeat this delightful process until you’ve used up all your ingredients, creating a magnificent collection of Cake Gems. Feel free to experiment with the design! Instead of layering the two colors, you can swirl them together simultaneously in the mold for a beautiful marbled effect, adding another dimension of visual appeal. Alternatively, for a sleek and classic look, stick to a single solid color for the entire gem. Should you find that any of your Cake Gems have slight rough edges after being removed from the mold, a small paring knife or an x-acto knife can be used carefully to trim them for a perfectly polished finish.

Presenting Your Ridiculously Pretty Cake Gems

Congratulations! Your stunning, ridiculously pretty Cake Gems are now ready to be served and admired. These charming treats are not only a feast for the eyes but also wonderfully convenient for entertaining. You can prepare them a few days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until it’s party time. Their vibrant colors and sparkling exteriors make them perfect for dessert tables, special occasions, or simply as an indulgent treat. Enjoy the compliments and the pure delight these homemade treasures bring!

Explore More Sweet Creations:

If you loved making these dazzling Cake Gems, you may also enjoy these other creative baking tutorials from TheCakeBlog.com:

• Elegant Rose Cake Pops: Delicate and beautiful, perfect for garden parties.
• Adorable Baby Rattle Cake Pops: A sweet and charming treat for baby showers.
• Decadent Chocolate Flower Cake: Combine rich chocolate with beautiful floral designs.
• Whimsical DIY Cupcake Terrarium: A unique and enchanting way to present cupcakes.
• Charming Mini Mice Cakes: Fun and cute individual cakes that are sure to delight.