Mirror cakes, with their glossy, reflective glaze, have taken the dessert world by storm. Originating from France, this elegant and visually stunning cake is a wonderful centerpiece for any event. The secret to its mirror-like finish is a glaze of gelatin, white chocolate, and sweetened condensed milk.
The key ingredients for this recipe are glucose syrup, white chocolate chips, gelatin, and titanium dioxide. Glucose syrup is a sweet, thick syrup made from glucose and is commonly used in baking and candy making. White chocolate chips are made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids. Gelatin, a thickening agent, is derived from collagen, a protein often collected from animal skin. Titanium dioxide is a white, opaque pigment that is used to give the mirror glaze its color. You might need to pay a visit to the baking aisle or even a specialty baking store for these ingredients.
Mirror Cake Essential Ingredients
Glucose syrup: A sweet, thick liquid that helps to give the mirror glaze its glossy finish.
Condensed milk: A thick, sweet product of cow's milk where water has been removed and sugar has been added.
Granulated sugar: Commonly used in baking, adds sweetness to the glaze.
Water: Used as a solvent in this recipe.
White chocolate chips: Adds creaminess and sweetness to the glaze.
Gelatin: A thickening agent that will give the glaze the right consistency.
Food coloring: Used to give the glaze its distinctive color.
Titanium dioxide: A white, opaque pigment that helps give the mirror glaze its reflective quality.
Glitter: Just for decoration, optional.
One reader, Jerrie Pollock says:
This mirror cake recipe is a game-changer! The glossy finish is mesmerizing and the taste is heavenly. The instructions were easy to follow, and the end result was a showstopper. I received so many compliments on this stunning dessert. I can't wait to make it again!
Essential Techniques for Making Mirror Cake
How to bloom gelatin: Mix the gelatin into ½ cup of cold water and let it sit for at least 5 minutes to soften and swell.
How to heat sugar mixture: Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan and heat it on the stovetop until it reaches a boil.
How to mix chocolate mixture: Combine white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and solidified gelatin in a bowl, then pour the hot sugar mixture over it and mix thoroughly until the chocolate is completely melted.
How to add color and titanium dioxide: Once the chocolate mixture is thoroughly mixed, add the desired food coloring and titanium dioxide to the hot mixture and stir until there are no air bubbles.
How to cool the mixture: Allow the mixture to cool to 90 degrees Fahrenheit before pouring it over the frozen cake.
How to pour the mixture over the cake: Once the mixture has cooled, pour it over the frozen cake to create the mirror glaze effect.
How to enjoy: Once the mirror glaze is set, the cake is ready to be enjoyed!
How To Make Mirror White Chocolate Glaze
This brightly glimmering cake glaze is creamy, colorful, and easy to make with gelatin, white chocolate chips, condensed milk, food coloring of your choice!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1cupglucose syrup,or corn syrup
- ¾cupcondensed milk,sweetened
- 1½cupsgranulated sugar
- ⅔cupwater,plus an additional ½ cup for gelatin
- 2cupswhite chocolate chips
- 0.7ozgelatin,(2 envelopes)
- food coloring,preferred color
- 1tbsptitanium dioxide,or bright white food coloring
- glitter,optional
Instructions
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Bloom the gelatin by mixing the gelatin into ½ cup of cold water, and letting it sit for at least 5 minutes.
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Heat the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and ⅔ cup of water on a stovetop to a boil.
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In a bowl, combine the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and solidified gelatin.
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Pour the hot sugar mixture over the chocolate, condensed milk, and gelatin.
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Cover with a cloth until the chocolate is soft.
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Mix thoroughly until all the chocolate is completely melted.
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Add desired color and titanium dioxide to the hot mixture. Mix until there are no air bubbles.
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Let the mixture cool to 90 degrees F, then pour it over the frozen cake.
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Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
This recipe works best on a cake covered in a frozen mousse, but will also work with a cake covered in frozen buttercream frosting.
Nutrition
- Calories: 384.65kcal
- Fat: 10.77g
- Saturated Fat: 6.55g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.05g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.36g
- Carbohydrates: 69.78g
- Fiber: 0.06g
- Sugar: 67.94g
- Protein: 4.60g
- Cholesterol: 12.45mg
- Sodium: 56.96mg
- Calcium: 139.03mg
- Potassium: 208.40mg
- Iron: 0.16mg
- Vitamin A: 16.70µg
- Vitamin C: 0.64mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Perfecting Your Mirror Cake
When making your mirror cake, it's crucial to ensure that the glaze is the correct temperature before pouring it over your cake. If the glaze is too hot, it can melt the frosting underneath and cause a mess. On the other hand, if it's too cool, it won't pour smoothly and will leave lumps and bumps on your cake. Using a kitchen thermometer can help you achieve the perfect temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, to achieve that perfect mirror-like finish, make sure your cake is frozen before pouring the glaze. This helps the glaze set quickly and evenly, creating a smooth and shiny surface.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Mirror Cake
Prep ahead: Prepare the ingredients and measure them out in advance to streamline the cooking process.
One-pot meals: Opt for recipes that allow you to cook everything in a single pot or pan to minimize cleanup time.
Organized workspace: Keep your kitchen organized and clean as you cook to avoid wasting time searching for tools and ingredients.
Efficient multitasking: Plan your cooking process to allow for multitasking, such as chopping vegetables while something is simmering.
Use kitchen tools: Utilize kitchen gadgets like food processors, blenders, and slow cookers to simplify meal preparation.
Follow the recipe: Read through the entire recipe before starting to ensure you understand the steps and can work efficiently.
Minimize distractions: Focus on the cooking process and minimize distractions to save time and avoid mistakes.
Prep shortcuts: Look for pre-prepped ingredients at the grocery store, such as pre-chopped vegetables or minced garlic, to save time.
Substitute Ingredients For Mirror Cake Recipe
glucose syrup - Substitute with corn syrup: Corn syrup can be used as a substitute for glucose syrup in mirror cake recipes as it provides a similar level of sweetness and helps to achieve the desired texture and shine in the glaze.
condensed milk - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can be used as a dairy-free substitute for condensed milk, providing a rich and creamy texture to the mirror glaze.
granulated sugar - Substitute with caster sugar: Caster sugar, also known as superfine sugar, can be used as a substitute for granulated sugar in mirror cake recipes to ensure a smoother texture in the glaze.
white chocolate chips - Substitute with white chocolate bar, chopped: Chopped white chocolate bar can be used as a substitute for white chocolate chips, providing a smoother and more consistent melt for the mirror glaze.
gelatin - Substitute with agar agar: Agar agar, a plant-based alternative to gelatin, can be used to achieve a similar gelling effect in the mirror glaze for vegetarian or vegan-friendly options.
titanium dioxide - Substitute with powdered sugar: Powdered sugar can be used as a substitute for titanium dioxide to achieve a white color in the mirror glaze, although it may not provide the exact brightness.
glitter - Substitute with edible luster dust: Edible luster dust can be used as a substitute for non-toxic, food-safe glitter to add shimmer and sparkle to the mirror glaze.
Essential Tools for Creating a Flawless Mirror Cake
Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for various tasks such as chopping, pureeing, and mixing ingredients. It typically comes with different blades and attachments to handle different food preparation needs.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is an essential kitchen tool used for combining ingredients, whisking, or stirring. It comes in various sizes and materials, such as stainless steel, glass, or ceramic, and is a fundamental tool for baking and cooking.
How To Store and Freeze Mirror Cake Properly
- Once the mirror cake has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing any odors from the refrigerator.
- You can store the mirror cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- If you want to keep the mirror cake for a longer period, you can freeze it for up to 2 months.
- To freeze the mirror cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
- When you're ready to serve the frozen mirror cake, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Once thawed, remove the mirror cake from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
- If you notice any condensation on the surface of the mirror cake after thawing, you can gently blot it with a paper towel before serving.
- Note: The mirror glaze may lose some of its shine and smoothness after being frozen and thawed, but the taste and texture of the cake should not be affected.
Surprising Fact About Mirror Cake You Didn't Know
The mirror cake recipe is known for its glossy, reflective glaze, which is achieved by using a mixture of glucose syrup, condensed milk, and white chocolate. This glaze gives the cake a stunning mirror-like appearance, making it a visually striking dessert.
Is Making Mirror Cake at Home Cost-Effective?
This mirror cake recipe can be cost-effective for a household, as it uses common ingredients like sugar, condensed milk, and gelatin. However, the use of glucose syrup, white chocolate chips, and titanium dioxide may increase the overall cost. The glitter is an optional expense for decoration. Considering the quantity and quality of ingredients, the approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $20-$25. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 8/10, taking into account the visual appeal and the indulgent taste of the mirror glaze.
Is Mirror Cake Healthy or Unhealthy?
The mirror cake recipe is a visually stunning dessert, but it is far from healthy. The main ingredients include glucose syrup, condensed milk, granulated sugar, and white chocolate chips, all of which are high in sugar and calories. The recipe also calls for gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen and may not be suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Additionally, the use of food coloring and titanium dioxide raises concerns about the potential health risks associated with consuming artificial additives.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace the glucose syrup and granulated sugar with natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or dates
- Use a lower fat alternative to condensed milk, such as evaporated skim milk or coconut milk
- Opt for high-quality, dark chocolate instead of white chocolate chips to reduce sugar content and increase antioxidants
- Experiment with natural food coloring options, such as beet juice, turmeric, or matcha powder, to avoid artificial additives
- Consider using agar-agar or carrageenan as a vegetarian-friendly alternative to gelatin
By incorporating these changes, you can create a more nutritious version of the mirror cake that still maintains its visual appeal. However, it's important to remember that even with these modifications, the cake should still be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Editor's Opinion: My Honest Thoughts on Mirror Cake
This mirror cake recipe seems to have a good balance of sweetness and texture. The use of glucose syrup and condensed milk provides a rich and creamy base, while the addition of white chocolate chips and gelatin creates a smooth and glossy finish. The incorporation of food coloring and glitter allows for a visually stunning presentation. However, it's important to note that the use of titanium dioxide should be carefully measured for food safety. Overall, this recipe has the potential to create a visually striking and delicious dessert.
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