How to Make a Gum-Paste Miniature Top Hat
- 1). Put on the latex gloves; these will prevent the gum paste from sticking to your hands. Cut off a piece of gum paste that is just big enough to make the miniature top hat; leave the remaining gum paste in a resealable tub or bag so it does not dry out. Rub your hands, work mat and rolling pin with a little vegetable shortening to prevent the gum paste from sticking. Add the food coloring to the gum paste and knead it until you get the color you desire.
- 2). Roll out the gum paste to 1/4 inch thick. Cut a strip of gumpaste that is 1 inch wide and 4 inches long. Set the remaining 1/4-inch-thich gum paste aside. Roll the strip into a cylinder and overlap the ends slightly. Secure the edges with a dab of water. This will form the crown, or top piece, of the hat.
- 3). Stand the cylinder up on the piece of 1/4-inch-thick gum paste and use the round cookie cutter to cut a brim that is slightly larger in diameter than the crown of the hat. If you do not have a cookie cutter that is small enough, you can use a knife to carefully cut out a brim. Also use a cookie cutter or knife to cut a circle that is the same diameter as the crown to form the top of the top hat. Set the pieces aside to dry for several hours or overnight.
- 4). Place the powdered sugar in the bowl and add just enough water to form a paste with the consistency of toothpaste. Using the paintbrush, apply the paste to the outer edges of the top hat's crown. Glue the crown to the brim and the top of the hat to the crown. Allow the hat to dry.
