When doing a quilted pattern on the sides of my fondant cakes, I would like to add silver dragees to the intersection points. I've tried attaching with water and/or gum glue, and they usually fall off. It doesn't make much sense to me to make an entire batch of RI, just for this purpose. And, wouldn't the RI show behind the dragee anyway? Would anyone mind sharing your secrets to attaching these little darlings? Thanks in advance!

Royal Icing or piping gel.

I like to use piping gel personally because if you put a little too much and it smooches out from behind the dragee its not as noticeable since it is clear. Mark Mexicano

I use buttercream.
Edna

I use piping gel too....on butter cream I use butter cream....

edible glue. ri. water. bc. chocolate. whatver is handy, what ever matches the cake.
xx

A mix of meringue powder and water - works REALLY well. I used a tool with a small ball at the end to make an indent, then added a tiny drop of the meringue powder/water mix, and then put on the dragee. It acts just like glue, and dries clear.

Hmm...not sure of the exact ratio - I put about 2 tbsp of water in an egg cup, then added a 2-3 tsp of meringue powder one by one, mixing it with a fork. It looks cloudy when it's the right consistency. That small amount of meringue and water mix is more than enough to do the quilting pattern on a three tier, double layered cake (take a look at my pics if you want to see one I did for a reference) - only a tiny amount is needed to attach. Hope this helps - post a picture when you're done

It really does help to make a little ball-indention first and then stick your dragee in, like greengyrl26 said.

Think about it this way. How would a baseball hold better if glued to a wall.. if it were a flat wall, or if there was a baseball sized divet in the wall to rest it in? Ok, maybe that was a bad example.. I'm on meds, leave me alone

I just press on it a bit and that makes a dent hehe

I like to have my dragees set into the fondant a bit so I make a small hole with the pointed end of a frilling tool the dip the end of the same tool into my tylose glue, dab the hole then put the dragee in either by hand or with tweezers. Once you get a rhythm going, it doesn't take as long as it sounds and I've never had a dragee fall off, ever. And I prefer the look of them set into the surface a bit.

That is really cute! Great job!

Thanks Tiara!! you saved the day! I have a wedding and I am running out of time, the meringue powder idea is stellar! thanks to everyone, I have found so much help on this site!

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Piping gel. It doesn't show and the tiniest bit on my finger makes it sticky so I can just pick them up on my finger and push them onto the fondant.

I like clear piping gel the best.

Jennifer

I just did my very first fondant covered cake (actually its a cake dummy!) and did the quilt pattern on the bottom tier.  I used the small ball tool/divet method and applied my meringue powder/water glue with a small brush.  It seems to have worked great!  I'm hoping it will hold up since this mock cake is what my customer wanted for her party… she didn't want to cut and serve the cake!  The cake is for a centerpiece (sweet 16 party) and I am making cupcakes to serve to the guests.  The party is in two weeks.  I will repost to let you know if the dragees stayed on!

Thanks so much for the great ideas!  As a novice cake decorator It's so wonderful to be able to call on the experience and knowledge of all the great cake people on this site!!! 

The last time I read a thread on this, one of the decorators recommended making the dent, then picking up the dragee - dipping it in the glue - then attaching it to the cake.   She said she never gets the glue blobbing out the sides.   And her cake was super nice.    ♦Maybe my memories faulty though♦