A gelatin sheet recipe is simply powdered gelatin that is dissolved in water then laid out to dry in a thin sheet
This is my gelatin sheet recipe. I use this recipe for a variety of things including my flexible butterfly wings for my daughter's bug birthday cake, sails for my pirate ship cake and recently, my edible glitter tutorial. You can also make gelatin sails!
You can combine sheet gelatin with various amounts of food coloring, dusts or edible metallics to make it different colors.
Gelatin Sail
To make a gelatin sail, I brush the gelatin mixture onto plastic wrap, in a splash shape. Once the gelatin isn't liquid anymore, you can pick up the whole piece of plastic and drape it over a bottle to dry overnight.
The next day you can peel it off the plastic wrap and you have a beautiful gelatin sail!
Learn more about this in my sugared sheet wedding cake tutorial.
Gelatin sheet recipe
The basic gelatin recipe is 5 teaspoons of powdered knox gelatin (not packets) dissolved in ¼ cup of cool water. There are a few things to know though about this process. You can add food coloring, pearl dust, metallic dusts or pretty much anything you want to this basic recipe. This is great for making gelatin bubbles like the tutorial in Sara Myers bubble cake tutorial.
Gelatin sheet recipe tips
- When you sprinkle the powdered gelatin over the water, make sure you go slow and let it all absorb into the water evenly. If you see any grains of gelatin that are not dissolved, put a little more water in there. It might take longer to dry but you don't want any unabsorbed gelatin leftover.
- Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes. This is called "blooming" and basically is the process of the gelatin absorbing the gelatin fully. Sounds fancier than it really is.
- Once your gelatin is bloomed, make sure you heat it gently. 30 seconds at first then 15 second increments afterward. If you boil the gelatin or heat it too hot, it actually changes the integrity of the gelatin and it might not set correctly so be gentle with your gelatin.
- Once your mixture is cooled, let it sit for a couple of minutes. You might see some white foam rising to the top. That foam is not your friend. You're going to want to scoop that off with a spoon unless you're TRYING to make foam like I did for my gummy beer tutorial in the giant hamburger cake tutorial.
- Now you can add in colors, dusts etc. I spread the gelatin out onto some plastic wrap and let it dry overnight. It will wrinkle and warp as it dries. If you add a small amount of corn syrup (about 1-2 teaspoons) it will make the gelatin slightly flexible. This is a good mixture to brush over wafer paper.
So that's basically it! Hopefully, you get some good use out of this gelatin recipe. Let me know if you have any questions about it in the comments or if you need help!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 teaspoon knox powdered gelatin
- 2 oz cool water
- 1 drop liquid food coloring optional
Instructions
- Pour water into a shallow dish. sprinkle gelatin evenly over the water and let it absorb for 5 minutes
- Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir and microwave for another 15 seconds if needed to melt fully
- Let sit for 5 minutes and bubbles will rise to the surface and create a white foam. Skim this foam off the surface with a spoon and discard
- You can now use this base recipe by combining with metallics, food colors, corn syrup or whatever you need. Store leftovers covered in a container in the fridge.
Nutrition
Melissa says
This was so fun to play with, I need to practice making my bubbles but the recipe worked well!
Liz Mueller says
When you heat it does go clear? Not sure what to look for.
Thanks
The Sugar Geek Show says
When you don't see granules anymore its melted. Make sure to just melt in 5 second bursts
Sergio Pereira says
So by adding the corn syrup you can
make sails after it dries out or the sails should be formed whilst it still wet?
The Sugar Geek Show says
By sails I mean like sails on a pirate ship. The mixture is brushed onto wafer paper, let dry overnight and it makes a flexible fabric
Caren says
Hello,
Is this the same thing as gelatin sails (like for decor on top of a cake?)
Thanks!
The Sugar Geek Show says
Yes this is the same recipe
Hinna B says
Hi Liz,
Would it be possible to use gelatine sheets instead of powder?
The Sugar Geek Show says
I Maybe? You'd have to dissolve the sheets fully somehow, perhaps with heat? we don't use gelatin sheets in the US that often so I'm not familiar with them
Anita L says
Hi Liz you mentioned that I can see this technique in your sugared sheet wedding cake tutorial, just want to know which one that is please as I can’t seem to find it
The Sugar Geek Show says
Hi Anita, that tutorial will be out on the 15th. Just two more days 🙂
Anita L says
Great can’t wait
Maureen says
You said about microwaving bit ,what if you dont have a microwave, canu heat it
The Sugar Geek Show says
Yes you can heat it on very low heat to dissolve the gelatin
Emily says
Is this pipe-able (With the corn syrup)? Looking to hand-pipe cake lace with stores being closed right now
The Sugar Geek Show says
Unfortunately no, this isn't something that is pipeable but check youtube for some homemade cake lace recipes
Bimbo says
Looking forward to making this tomorrow
Faith says
Can this replace sugar sail
Elizabeth Marek says
It just depends on the look you are going for. It's similar to a sugar sail but not exactly the same.
Dilys says
Hi Liz, thanks alot. Can I pour mixture into molds please
Elizabeth Marek says
Yes you could but they would be very hard and take a few days to dry out.
Nacia Dean says
In going to attempt making a funko pop cake in the funko box and trying to figure out how to make the plastic part of the box so you can see through it. Could this possibly work? Has anyone ever done this?
Elizabeth Marek says
Check out how to cake thats tutorials https://www.etsy.com/shop/HowToCAKEThat
Fifunmi says
Hi Liz,
Thank you for this tutorial. I just tried this recipe. It was a bit runny while spreading on the plastic wrap. At what point do I place it over a bottle to give the sail shape so it doesn’t run down on the wrap. Thanks
Elizabeth Marek says
The gelatin thickens as it cools.
Praise says
Hi Liz
I’m about to try out your recipe... fingers crossed 🤞🏾
If it dries as it cools, can I put it in the fridge to speed up the process ?
Just a thought
Elizabeth Marek says
Cooling does not speed up the process, it's not cooling, you're waiting for the water to evaporate out of the gelatin.
Yemi says
I'm sure going to try this recipe, thanks for sharing Liz.
Shajan says
How long does the sail last? Does humidity have an effect on it?
Elizabeth Marek says
I have not had any effects from humidity in my area, the gelatin stays firm
Shawn says
Does humidity affect gelatin sails like it does sugar sails? How long will a gelatin sail last before putting on a cake and how should it be stored?
Elizabeth Marek says
I haven't had to store gelatin sails in any special way. I would just put it in a ziplock bag or something