I am making my dear son’s wedding cake soon and his bride-to-be would like silver dust used as an accent. In the past I’ve only used it mixed with vodka (the dust not me painted on hardened royal icing and I love the effect.

On this cake I will use only Nick Malgieri’s smooth as silk meringue buttercream! My future daugter-in-law wants continuous “squiggles” piped on the smooth frosting and she would like them, silver. My idea is to mix it into the buttercream and then pipe on with the thinnest plain tip. Therein lies my dilema…....1. will the silver dust come out silver or will the fat have some kind of detrimental effect on the shine? and 2. would using that much silver (3 tiers) adversely effect the guests? I don’t like my sister’s but I really don’t wish them any harm! LOL

Anyone have any experience with this edible silver? BTW it says on the bottle from Albert Uster Imports: “for decor only”

Thanks!
Kathi

Kathi,
It would take soooooo much silver dust if you mixed it in with your buttercream.  Your best bet is to dry brush the silver over the scroll pattern after it has set-up.  I use a great brush that Caljava sells.  You fill the inside with silver luster dust, pump the top of the brush and brush it on and Viola! 
Have Fun,
Lori V.

Lori, Thank you for your response

Have you ever mixed the dust into a buttercream?  I’m just wondering if it will keep the shine, if it works, the amount of dust it takes shouldn’t be a problem; afterall it is for my darling son’s wedding! Besides, the “squiggles” won’t use all that much frosting, relatively.  I’m going to use the smallest tip I can, so I doubt the whole accent design won’t use 2 cups. It will have three tiers, 14, 10 and 6” but I will mix it up in the way I design the “squiggles”, each tier different but cohesive.

The reason that I can’t dry brush it onto the “squiggles” is; this buttercream does not set up, so I would imagine the brush strokes themselves would stick to and distort the design.  It stays silky soft and luxurious, it’s a true dream to pipe AND eat! But I like that little gadget you described, I’m sure it works great in a hardened frosting application. 

I may just have to break down and take the time to make a practice batch of this buttercream and test it out, well then I’m gonna have to make a little cake to put it on…..LOL I think this will have to wait until the holidays are over.

Thanks again,
Kathi

I would not try to mix it in to the buttercream - it will turn out looking gray instead of silver. 

Lori - I’ve been thinking about those pump brushes - do they work well when used on buttercream that doesn’t crust?