Homemade tylose glue (also known as sugar glue) is a great, food-safe option for use with fondant and gum paste cake decorations.
Whether you are creating custom cake toppers, attaching polka dots to a fondant covered cake, or even adhering sprinkles to a fondant border, this is a popular go-to glue for cake decorators.
*Updated 3/2022
Tylose glue creates a stronger bond when working with fondant or gum paste than “glue” alternatives like water, corn syrup, or even piping gel can provide.
As an added bonus, it couldn’t be easier to make–that is, assuming you have tylose powder on hand ;0)
What is Tylose Powder?
Tylose powder is a hardening agent that is used not only in making our glue today, but it is often used in homemade gum paste recipes.
I also use it all the time in figure modeling for cake toppers, etc. Kneading a bit of tylose powder into plain fondant will result in a more pliable consistency which dries faster and firmer– much like gum paste.
(1-3 teaspoons of tylose powder per pound of fondant is a good rule of thumb, just adjust a bit more or less depending on the softness of the fondant).
Tylose Glue-Eyeballing it…
You may have noticed in many of my videos, I’ll just throw a little tylose powder and a few drops of water into a bowl and mix it up quickly right in the moment that I need it.
Although this technically works in a pinch, it isn’t the best way because the consistency won’t be as nice as if you were to measure the tylose and water, mix it in advance, and allow to fully dissolve.
Using a Recipe…
Our friend Teri, aka MsGF, was nice enough to write up her favorite proportions of tylose powder and water for creating tylose glue, along with photos.
The resulting tylose glue is a perfectly smooth, clear gel that can be kept in small jar for whenever you need it. Hooray for being organized!
How to Make Tylose Glue
I will post Teri’s step by step below, which includes her favorite “small batch” tylose glue recipe as well as the proportions for a larger recipe. (Find the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of this post)
½ tablespoon distilled water (room temp) you can also use boiled water/tap water
1 level Pinch of Tylose Powder (1/16th tsp) I use my handy Pinch Spoon
- Here are the key players…The little container is from the Dollar Store, it holds 35ml (2 tablespoons). By the way, how cute is the 1/16 teaspoon “pinch” spoon?!)
- First, add the water to the clean, dry container. Next, add the tylose powder. (This is ½ tablespoon of water and level pinch of tylose).
Stir the tylose and water together with a toothpick.
Next, put on the lid and let it sit.
Within an hour the tylose will be dissolved. You can see that there are still tiny air bubbles but the tylose powder is dissolved.
It is fine to use it at this point, just give it a little stir first with a toothpick.
After leaving overnight, it becomes perfectly clear and has a nice consistency.
Teri noted that she keeps her tylose glue at room temperature with her cake decorating supplies and uses it over a 2-3 week period. Some decorators also keep theirs in the refrigerator.
You will know when it is time to make a fresh batch when it is no longer clear. Simply rinse out the container and make more!
Larger Recipe for Tylose Glue
2 Tablespoons Water
¼ level teaspoon Tylose Powder
Tylose Glue Recipe
This is a great little edible glue that we often use when working with fondant and gum paste decorations. It is clear and can be made with tylose powder and water.
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon distilled water (room temp) you can also use boiled water/tap water
- 1 level Pinch of Tylose Powder (1/16th tsp)
- *See notes for larger batch
Instructions
- Add the water to a clean dry container.
- Add the Tylose powder on top, and give it a little stir with a toothpick.
- Put on the lid and let it sit. Within an hour, the tylose powder will have dissolved, although it will still have tiny bubbles. It is fine to use at this point- just give it a little stir with a toothpick.
- After sitting overnight, the tylose glue becomes perfectly clear and has a nice consistency.
- It keeps for 2-3 weeks at room temperature. You can refrigerate also. You will know when it's time to make a new one as it will no longer be clear.
Notes
For a Larger Batch of Tylose Glue:
2 Tablespoons Water
¼ level teaspoon Tylose Powder
Storing Tylose Glue
You can keep the freshly made tylose glue at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. You will know when it’s time to make a new one when the color is no longer as clear.
Tips for using Tylose Glue
Teri passed along a few more hints for working with tylose glue:
Less is more when using tylose glue. You don’t need to cover the back of the whole item to be glued. It will stick.
If you accidentally use too much and it oozes out from behind the fondant, I use a dry brush to pick up some and wipe it off on a paper towel then use a dry clean paintbrush with cornstarch and put some cornstarch on the wet spot, let it sit. After it’s dry (one hour +/overnight) I use a big fluffy brush to wipe off the cornstarch and it’s barely noticeable. That’s my fix.
Thanks so much for stopping by today! We hope that you fill give this quick and easy tylose glue recipe a try. Thanks again for sharing your tips and favorite proportions with us, Teri!
Hi love your site… I am wondering if there is another recipe for sugar glue, is there something else other than Tyclose powder you could use
Hi Ashley, you could use piping gel though I don’t think it is as strong as sugar glue. I have also heard of using meringue powder with a little water, but haven’t tried that yet.
Hi, at my Wilton course, the teacher told us to put a small ball of gumpast with wather in a small glass bottle and wait for 30 minutes and stir. It works well.
Hi Nancy, that is a great tip…….I like what we can learn from our members!
Thanks for making your post.
You can use gumpaste disolved in water about a pea size ball to a tablespoon water, break gum paste into small pieces and let disolve, this is good for about a week. I works great .
Hi Melissa, I looking for the best website to order some cake supplies. Any advise?
Hi Tiffany, we order from a number of different sources some are:
globalsugarart.com
countrykitchenusa.com
sugarcraft.com
cakesbysam.com
shopbakersnook.com
cakedeco.com
What is CMC Powder?
Hi Dena, it is a stabilizer and we add it to fondant to firm it up making it more like gumpaste. We do this especially when making flowers or modeling figures. You could use either CMC powder or Tylose powder. We usually use Tylose. Your flowers and figures will dry so much faster and be stronger if you do this. The general rule is 1 teaspoon CMC or Tylose to 1 pound of fondant. If you don’t have a scale, 1 lb. is about the size of a naval orange. If you don’t want to go that route, you can purchase pre made gumpaste (we use Satin Ice brand) to use making your flowers and figure modeling.
I have found that using plain light cornsyrup works great as a glue. I just apply it with a paint brush and I’ve never had a problem with it. Has anyone else tried this?
is 2 T tablespoon??
Hi Belinda, yes it is :0)
@Brenda–I have used light corn syrup now and then in some of my videos for glue–I go through phases . :0) –This one seems to create a stronger bond for me though.
Just a tip, incase nobody has posted this yet, Egg whites is a SUPER awesome glue, if your in a bind! My glue of choice is the Edible Glue recipe here, but a little brushed on egg white and the next day it’s stuck! oh the incredible edible egg….my favorite food!!!
oh and it dries clear too.
Be sure to leave this in the fridge! I made a batch of it about a month ago, and my mom didn’t know it was supposed to stay in the fridge. Mold started growing on it. :( But I really love using it instead of the gum paste + water trick that Wilton teaches. This glue is thicker and doesn’t run like the other glue can.
Thanks Damaris! —@Alison–Thanks for pointing that out! Nobody likes moldy glue :0)
Does it only last a week in the fridge? So you’ll have to make a batch every time you need it?
Hi Josie, I think it will last 2 weeks in the refrigerator, it will grow mold if kept too long. It is very quick to make, even though it is lumpy when first made and will smooth out a few hours later, we have used it immediately after making with no problems.
I love the sugar glus recipe here…I used to use egg white and it is super strong..however you either have to throw out the yolk or buy expensive cartons of egg whites only . I found I just couldn’t justify throwing away egg yolk or not using the whole carton of egg whites from the grocery store .( You can only eat so many egg white omelettes ! ) :) This tylose sugar glue recipe is soooo convenient and I have made half the recipe and have also done a third of the recipe if I’m only doing a small job that day. It does keep 2 weeks in the fridge.
Oops !! Sorry, meant “glue” not “glus”
Thank you, Bernice! I didn’t invent this glue (I’m not sure who did), but I love it too! ;0)
I am still alittle confused on what CMC and Tylose is, where would you purchase these? Is it a powder?
So excited about your website. I am making a toolbox cake and I will be covering it with white fondant, but I wanted to know if I can airbrush all over it completely with red coloring.
Hi Nilda– We always use pre-colored red fondant out of convenience but yes, you can airbrush a white fondant cake red! Glad you are excited about our site ;0) -Hope you enjoy it!
Is this a good glue to adhere fondant accents to a buttercream cake? Also, should I use a crusting buttercream? Thanks in advance!
Is the suger glue products natural or do they have chemical ingredients in them? What are the ingredients in these products?
Kristina you can find the CMC or tylose at the any bakery supply
Hi Melissa,
Does “tsp” in “1/4 tsp. CMC powder or Tylose Powder” mean “teaspoon” or “tablespoon”?
Thanks a lot!
Tatjana
Hi Tatjana, tsp. is teaspoon
I’m new to your members and fairly new to decorating with fondant. When recently needing a “glue” and having no source for tyloose powder, meringue powder in a little water worked wonders as a glue for my fondant roses.
Hi Gayle, That is a great tip!! Thank you so much for posting, I’m sure your information will be helpful to many members of the site.
Hi! Would this glue be strong enough to hold up heavier pieces on fondant cakes? I’ve tried using water and piping gel in the past to hold up Ruffle pieces and other heavier pieces but they just slide off and leave me with a slimy ugly mess! :(
Hi Melanie, The sugar glue is good for holding up light pieces, it is more like piping gel. For heavy pieces on fondant, I think you would have success using melted chocolate or candy melts.
Hello,
Love you website – I am making high heel cupcakes for my granddaughters sweet 16 (75 of them) and wanted to know the best edible glue to use to attach the heel (which us a cookie) to the sole (which is a cookie as well) .. I tried icing and it really didn’t hold to good. Meringue powder and water seem to worked best but wanted to know if anyone had other suggestions. Thanks!
Hi Josephine, I would try either royal icing (thicker consistency that can be easily piped) or melted candy melts.
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for your reply. I need these to hold good as I will be making them at least two days prior to the event. Do you think chocolate would be a better option than the meringue powder?
Hi Josephine, either chocolate or royal should be fine. I tend to use white chocolate candy melts for a quick adhesive. Let us know how it goes!