Edible Glitter Flakes for Cakes | A Simple Way to Add Sparkle
Chef Alan TetreaultIn this tutorial: What You'll Need · Paint the Base Color · Apply Piping Gel · Press On the Flakes · Finish and Style the Cake · Tips
Textured tiers are one of the most popular trends in wedding cake design — and Crystal Candy edible flakes make it easier than ever to achieve the look. In this tutorial, Chef Alan Tetreault of Global Sugar Art walks through the full process of applying edible flakes to a fondant-covered cake, from base-coating with luster dust to pressing the flakes into place. The result is a dramatic, shimmering texture with serious wow factor.
What You'll Need
- Fondant-covered cake — let the fondant dry for a few hours before starting so it is easier to work with
- Crystal Candy edible flakes — available in silver, gold, bronze, white, pink, blue, turquoise, and more; Chef Alan uses Silver Moon in this demo
- Luster dust — choose a shade that matches your flakes (e.g., Coin Silver for Silver Moon flakes)
- Edible alcohol — vodka, gin, or Everclear for mixing the luster dust into a paint
- Piping gel — any brand works; Chef Alan uses Fond-X Piping Gel
- Flat paintbrush — for applying the luster paint and piping gel
- Food-safe gloves — for pressing flakes onto the cake by hand
- Small mixing bowl — for the luster dust paint
Paint the Base Color
The edible flakes do not cover every square inch of the cake, so any gaps will show the fondant underneath. To prevent white patches from peeking through, the entire tier needs a base coat that matches the flake color.
- Add luster dust to a small bowl — use a shade that matches the flakes.
- Pour in a small amount of edible alcohol (vodka, gin, or Everclear) and mix thoroughly until all lumps are gone.
- Keep the mixture on the thick side. It should be the consistency of a thick paint — not thin or watery.
- Brush the luster paint over the entire cake — sides, top, and edges.
The paint dries quickly, but there is no need to wait for it to dry before moving on to the next step.
💡 Want an ombre effect? Paint the base in a different shade than the flakes — for example, a darker or lighter pink behind rose-gold flakes — for a subtle two-tone look.
Apply Piping Gel
Piping gel acts as the adhesive that holds the flakes to the cake.
- Using the same brush, apply a coat of piping gel over the entire painted surface.
- The piping gel may lift a small amount of the luster paint — this is normal and nothing to worry about.
- Aim for a thin, even, tacky coat over the entire cake, including the edges.
Press On the Flakes
- Put on a food-safe glove.
- Pour some flakes into your gloved hand and gently press them into the side of the cake.
- Work your way around the entire cake, covering the sides, top, and edges.
- One small container of Crystal Candy flakes will easily cover a five-inch cake — and can stretch to cover up to a seven-inch cake.
⚠️ If assembling a tiered cake, let the flaked tier dry for at least 30 minutes before handling or stacking. The flakes can be touched immediately, but allowing drying time helps everything set.
Finish and Style the Cake
Chef Alan demonstrates how a flaked tier looks as part of a finished design:
- He pairs the silver-flaked tier with a fondant lace piece colored to match the same silver tone.
- A few sugar roses placed on top complete the look.
The combination of the shimmering textured tier, coordinating lace, and flowers creates an elegant wedding cake with minimal effort.
Tips
💡 Match your luster dust to your flakes. The base coat is what fills in any gaps between flakes, so choosing a matching shade creates a seamless, cohesive finish. A contrasting base color can also work if a two-tone look is the goal.
💡 Crystal Candy edible flakes come in a wide range of colors — bronze, gold, silver, white, pink, blue, and turquoise — making them versatile for weddings, baby showers, and other celebrations.
💡 Airbrushing is an alternative to hand-painting. If an airbrush is available, a silver (or color-matched) airbrush color can replace the luster dust paint step for faster, more even coverage.
This tutorial is part of Global Sugar Art's library of free cake decorating videos by Chef Alan Tetreault. Browse all tutorials →
