Sugar Pearls Bleeding - Non-Bleed Variety?

Debbi HookGobbler

I've been using Wilton pearlized sugar pearls for years with nary a problem. I've had bleeding problems with the dark colored CK pearls, but not Wilton. Imagine my absolute dismay when I get up this morning and see all of the black pearls used in Santa faces have dark black bleeding around the eyes. I used flesh-tone Americolor - 10 to 15 second RI to flood the face areas. (working on the Montreal Confections Santa Tutorial using the nesting doll cutter). Because I didn't want them to bug out, I placed them and pushed down into the icing (which I commonly do). As I mentioned above, this is the first time this has ever happened with these particular sugar pearls ...but it is also the first time I've used that particular color of RI with these pearls. Are there ANY sugar pearls that don't bleed? Is there something I need to know, technique-wise? Ugh. Big 5" cookies - and all but two have "black eyes". I think I can scrape the faces off - the beard has not been piped around it. Maybe I'll just scrape, re-flood and not use the pearls - I'll draw the eyes with a food marker instead. Groaning.

12/10/137:55 AM

Original Post

Julia M. UsherFounder and Host, Cookie Connection; Owner, Recipes for a Sweet Life

I've had trouble with bleeding with most darkly colored dragées when set in wet icing, which is why I tend to apply them to dry icing if I use them. But I know you don't want the eyes on your cookies bugging out, so this isn't an option for you with this design. You might try a thicker base coat - as the icing will dry faster and minimize chances of bleeding, or use another medium to make them as you said.

I'd also be interested to hear of a non-bleed variety in dark colors, if anyone knows one.

12/10/1310:03 AM