You can use lemon extract as well. You can use any extract as long as it has a high alcohol content.
You can find dusts at cake stores or order it online.
I just use clear vanilla extract when using luster dust. So far no problems.
You really can't avoid "alcohol" when you paint on cakes (fondant or buttercream) because alcohol is the medium that carries the color to the surface and then dissipates quickly enough so as not to "melt" the icing. If you were to use water, it would take so long to evaporate that it would damage the cake surface.
All "extracts" are alcoholic--they contain a percentage of alcohol that varies from about 35% (70 proof) in most vanilla extracts to 84% (168 Proof) in the best lemon extracts. Extracts must contain oil so that the fruit or spice essences remains in solution. If these essences were put into water, they would just separate and not be uniform in solution.
Painting with an extract helps the paint flow more evenly and with less clumping. The oil delays the alcohol evaporation just enough so that the paint moves smoothly along the surface. Straight alcohol, especially in a very dry climate, can evaporate so quickly that the paint barely has the time to get off of the brush.
If the concern about alcohol centers around someone in recovery eating the cake, just remember, the alcohol evaporates into the air almost immediately. Using an extract, what is left behind is just the faintest bit of the oil base flavor. I
use lemon extract and I cannot taste it when eating the painted areas. Sometimes, I can smell it ever so slightly and I find that pleasant.
Regards,
Rae
I don't buy alcohol either even thought I've heard vodka is ideal to paint with. I always use lemon extract because it's clear, unlike vanilla. Plus I like the smell while I'm doing it!
Just wanted to mention this, often the alcohol is actually cheaper to use than the extracts. I have a friend who uses those small bottles that you get on airplanes.
Hugs Squirrelly
I like the smell when I paint with lemon extract, and the bit of oil in the extract gives a bit of extra shine, which is cool. But it is definitely the expensive way to go. A big bottle of cheap vodka is about $10.00 and a tiny bottle of lemon extract is aver $3.00. If it is just a question of dissolving dust, I still have to go with the vodka when it is more than a little area. I haven't tried Everclear yet. I hear that evaporates even more quickly than vodka.
I like the smell when I paint with lemon extract, and the bit of oil in the extract gives a bit of extra shine, which is cool. But it is definitely the expensive way to go. A big bottle of cheap vodka is about $10.00 and a tiny bottle of lemon extract is aver $3.00. If it is just a question of dissolving dust, I still have to go with the vodka when it is more than a little area. I haven't tried Everclear yet. I hear that evaporates even more quickly than vodka.
I think the bit of oil in it also makes the paint a bit thicker and easier to work with, but the price here is off-putting, haha!
Hi kiddo!
Hugs Squirrelly
I like the smell when I paint with lemon extract, and the bit of oil in the extract gives a bit of extra shine, which is cool. But it is definitely the expensive way to go. A big bottle of cheap vodka is about $10.00 and a tiny bottle of lemon extract is aver $3.00. If it is just a question of dissolving dust, I still have to go with the vodka when it is more than a little area. I haven't tried Everclear yet. I hear that evaporates even more quickly than vodka.
I think the bit of oil in it also makes the paint a bit thicker and easier to work with, but the price here is off-putting, haha!
Hi kiddo!
Hugs Squirrelly
In Australia we use cake decorator's alcohol, but it's very expensive to buy. I bought some lemon essence wholesale to make lemon cakes, and it tasted pretty bad, so now i just use lemons, then i realised i could use it instead of the cake decorators alcohol for painting, and it only cost me $9.00 for 1 litre. Which is absolutely cheap!!!!
nati
SquirrellyCakes .. KIDDO! well thanks. My kids think I'm old
and it was not for me I'm takin' it any way
OK on the alcohol thing I wont buy it for a number of reasons. Besides the fact that I dont like supporting something that has hurt the lives of so many I am a Christian and just wont do it.
Like my mom use to always say" Just because everyone else does it, doesn't make it right"
So with that said, no I have no problem with saving $$ but on this, not for me.
My 2 cents.
SquirrellyCakes .. KIDDO! well thanks. My kids think I'm old
and it was not for me I'm takin' it any wayOK on the alcohol thing I wont buy it for a number of reasons. Besides the fact that I dont like supporting something that has hurt the lives of so many I an a Christian and just wont do it.
Like my mom use to always say" Just because everyone else does doesn't make it right"
So with that said, no I have no problem with saving $$ but on this, not for me.
My 2 cents.
Hi Kiddo you, haha,
Sorry kiddo, I didn't mean to put you on the spot. By the way, I had a dear friend that used "kiddo" as an expression of fondness and I have picked up on it so I hope nobody finds it offensive.
True enough, alcohol has hurt many people's lives.
At Christmas time many of the manufacturers supply a free airplane size bottle of vodka and such which for me, is like getting it free and I get better use out of it for this purpose.
I just thought that for some folks they might think the alcohol was expensive for this use when here in fact it is cheaper.
I agree though, as much as the lemon extract smells good I find even the real lemon extract tastes quite odd and chemical when used for baking or flavouring. But I do find for the lustre dusts, it makes a better paint, not quite so drippy as the alcohol on its own.
Hugs Squirrelly
Oh I love the Kiddo. makes me feel like I have a buddy.
So absolutly no offence taken. I actually appreciate it.
Thanks Squirrelly Cakes
Haha, you are welcome Kiddo! 
Hugs Squirrelly
just wondering if anyone has ever tried mixing alcohol with an extract for painting? then it would give you the oils, smell good, but not have to use as much of the extract? just wondering. personally, i've always just used whatever extract i have on hand, usually almond. i don't paint large areas, so it's always worked for me thanks
just wondering if anyone has ever tried mixing alcohol with an extract for painting? then it would give you the oils, smell good, but not have to use as much of the extract? just wondering. personally, i've always just used whatever extract i have on hand, usually almond. i don't paint large areas, so it's always worked for me thanks
That should work too because you are mixing alcohol with extract that already has alcohol. Where using the extract with the lustre dusts or even food colour, comes in handier is when you are painting fine details on icing, things like small vines and flowers. I find you get better control because you get a bit thicker of a paint consistency.
Part of the reason for using something with an alcohol base if for the quick dry/evaporation quality but in addition it is also because some liquids will bread down the sparkle and you end up with just the flat colour. For example silver, mixed with the wrong liquid, it just becomes grey. Not all dusts must be mixed with alcohol, a pearl dust for example can be mixed with water and not lose the iridescent quality.
Hugs Squirrelly
Here is some useful (I hope, haha) information from an old post I made on Wilton.
LUSTER (LUSTRE) DUSTS
Give a metallic sheen. Available in a huge range of colors. Not water soluble.
If they contain Iron Blue or Chromium Oxide, they must be labeled for Decorative use only. In some countries they are considered edible, others not. Mix with clear alcohol or oil based flavorings or use dry.
SPARKLE DUSTS
Just like lustre dusts, but larger grain size. Same rule, mix with clear alcohol or oil based flavorings or use dry. Used more in the dry form for sprinkling on cakes. Can be crushed into a smaller grain size.
PEARL DUSTS
Pearl finish with a hint of color. These are water soluble and can be mixed with water, alcohol, or oil based flavorings or used dry. Can be used in addition to other finishes.
PETAL DUSTS
Various colors to give the most realistic finish to your flowers, these have a matte finish. Can be used in combination with other finishes. For instance, brushed or painted on and then lustre or pearl dusts applied. Petal dusts are water soluble and can be mixed with water; alcohol or oil based flavorings or used dry.
Check in your locality to see if these items are considered safe for consumption or for decorative purposes only. The rules vary from country to country.
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