What is Luster Dust?
Luster dust is an edible food decorating powder which sparkles once it dries. It is commonly applied to the frostings of cakes and cookies, especially for formal events or during the holiday season, when many people enjoy rich gold and silver accents on their baked goods. A bakery supplier in your area probably stocks luster dust, and you can also order it through mail-order companies which specialize in baking products.
Although gold and silver are both common, luster dust comes in a range of colors, from bold primaries to jewel tones. It can be used to create highlighted accents on a finished piece, or it can be applied in larger volume to give a baked good a glossy finish. The product may also be called sparkle dust, pearl dust, or sparkle powder, and it is perfectly safe to eat, just like the gold and silver leaf which are applied to fancy cakes.
A container of luster dust is typically rather small, because a little bit goes a long way. To use it, you will need to dissolve the dust in an extract which contains alcohol such as vanilla or orange extract, or an alcohol like vodka; by using an alcohol solution, you ensure that the moisture will evaporate after the luster dust has been applied. Mixing luster dust with water or other liquids is not recommended, as it can turn sticky and dull.
Once the luster dust is mixed, it can be applied with a small brush. Cake decorators typically frost a cake with a matte white frosting and then apply luster dust over the white; the frosting will glow through the luster dust, making the cake sparkle in good lighting. There are lots of ways to apply luster dust, from a gentle brushing of a whole cake to give it a rich glow to a streak on a holiday cookie for some pizazz.
Many companies sell packages with a rainbow of luster dust colors. Colors can be blended for subtle shading, or mixed individually and painted on to create shimmering images. It can also be used in an airbrush decorating tool, or you can dip fondant flowers in luster dust to turn them into sparkling decorations. Luster dust can also be used to highlight leaves, flower petals, and other sculpted decorations on a cake, although this requires a fine brush and a steady hand.
Written by S.E. Smith
