How to Make Gelatin Bubbles

How to make gelatin bubbles requires a specific technique, a learning curve, a bit of practice and some time, but the results are well worth the effort.  You may remember the amazing gelatin bubbles that topped the cupcakes at the recent party I threw for Tide?  Well, here are step by step instructions on how to make the gelatin bubbles so that you to can achieve the same effect, and let me tell you, it’s worth it.
Gelatin Bubbles

How to Make Gelatin Bubbles:

Gelatin Bubbles

Now, before you start, I should tell you that this technique is time consuming.  My good friend Jalyn found the idea online and did a trial run on the gelatin bubbles based on tutorials she had discovered online, like this one on Cake Central, which was shared by Tami, the creator of the idea, which she shared in PDF form, here.  She tweaked the “recipes” to find what worked best for her and then with help made over 90 gelatin bubbles for the cupcakes for the party.  I know, amazing right?  Wondering how long it takes to make 90 gelatin bubbles, factoring in a learning curve?  About 30 hours solo.  So, this is not a craft you can just throw together.  You need to give yourself at least 24 hours before your event to allow your bubbles to completely dry to be on the safe side!  And, if you are making a bunch, give yourself a LOT of time.  I’d recommend that if you have a big event to gather a few friends and make a party of making the bubbles!  Get an assembly line going and knock out the bubbles in a few hours.

Supplies Needed:

gelatin bubbles supplies

  • Knox Gelatine
  • Duct Tape
  • Tooth Picks
  • Plastic plate /shelf to dry balloons on
  • paint brush
  • Crisco
  • Wiltons Icing Colors
  • Small Balloons

Step By Step Instructions:

Step 1:  Blow up balloons to desired size.  Jalyn used different sized bubbles for the cupcakes.  Actually, good luck trying to get all one perfect size!  🙂

gelatin bubble tutorial
Step 2:  Poke holes in your plastic plate or “holder”.  This is what you’ll dry your bubbles on.  You need plastic because the gelatin won’t stick to it, it’s disposable and you can poke the holes at what ever distance you desire depending on the size of your bubbles.
gelatin bubble tutorial
Step 3:  Cut some thin strips of duct tape and have ready for when you need them in just a minute.
gelatin bubble tutorial
Step 4:  Hold the balloon by the tied end and then also grab the other end, or “nipple end”.  Pull the two ends together and adhere together with a strip of duct tape.  Then add two toothpicks (so that it’s sturdy when you stand it up to dry) to the duct tape so that it looks like a lollipop.
gelatin bubble tutorial

Step 5:  Put a small amount of Crisco in a bowl.  Using a paint brush or sponge brush (Jalyn found that a sponge brush works best), lightly coat balloon with Crisco. The layer should be transparent.  If you put too much on, the gelatin will slide right off. You want just enough on so that the balloon will slide out when you pop it when the gelatin is dry and you remove the balloon.

gelatin bubble tutorial
Step 6:  Preparing the Gelatin is the trickiest part.  You need to add 2 parts water to 1 part gelatin.  Put the water in a dish and slowly add the gelatin, sprinkling the gelatin over the water.  Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes.  Then you need to microwave the gelatin for about 10 seconds.  You need to get it warm, without boiling it.  Boiling is bad.  You do NOT want bubbles in the gelatin.  Stir the warm gelatin mixture carefully, being sure not to stir up bubbles!  If the gelatin is too warm you’ll pop the balloons so beware!

gelatin bubble tutorial

gelatin bubble tutorial

Step 7:  Color your gelatin mixture.  Jalyn used Wilton Icing colors, and you only need a little bit.  You can mix colors to get your desired shade.

gelatin bubble tutorial

Step 8:  Dip and roll around balloons in gelatin mixture.  It’ll take about 4 coats.
gelatin bubble tutorial
Step 9:  Stick gel coated balloons in plastic tray to dry.  For best results, let dry for 24 hours.    They’ll probably dry in 6-12 hours, but to be on the safe side, give yourself longer.  You’ll know when they are dry because they feel almost like an egg shell.
gelatin bubble tutorial

gelatin bubble tutorial

Step 10:  Once the gelatin bubbles are dry, pop the balloons, removing the toothpicks and balloons and then decorate your cupcakes or cake or whatever you are garnishing.

Gelatin Bubble

Gelatin Bubble

Gelatin Bubble

Technically, the gelatin bubbles are edible, because they are all gelatin, but I don’t know why anyone would eat them.  They dissolve in water, so if they get wet, you won’t be able to save them!  {{NOTE:  Tami said that the gelatin can be sweetened with candy oil and artificial sweetener so that they guests will want to eat them and they don’t go to waste}}  Also, she has a great tutorial for Gelatin Gems if you want to give those a try!

The Finished Product:

Gelatin Bubbles
Aren’t they gorgeous? What do you think? Are you up for the challenge?

Let’s give Jalyn a BIG thank you for making the gelatin bubbles and then taking the time to show me how to do it so that I could tell you.  True friend, no?  Smiling…..

Other How Tutorials You’ll Love:

About Angie

Angie is a CRAFT dabbling, recipe making, WORD loving, sunshine hording, book DEVOURING, Mama to a lot! She's kind of in love with Instagram right now, so if you want her attention, go find here there. {smiling}

Comments

  1. True friend, yes. Thank you, Jalyn. And no, I’m not up for it LOL Well, at least not right now. I may try for Zoe’s birthday, just a few, just for her, but I think I’d rather use this when I have people to impress (although, yeah, it makes sense to at least try it a couple of times on a small scale first).

  2. Now that is some crafty goodness Angie.

  3. WOW … that idea takes some dedication! Such a cool outcome though, I might be up for trying just a few, but bigger and on just one regular size cake. I’m totally inept at tying balloons though, so I might give up after step one 😉 Great tutorial.

  4. So, super cool! I wondered about those when I saw the Tide Party!

  5. Wow! I’m impressed! I have never seen this done before. It looks so cute on those cupcakes. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Wow, so THAT’S how they were made! I couldn’t figure out if they were special candies or what! What a cool idea! … But oh my goodness, the labor! LOL!

  7. That is just SO COOL. I will be saving this tutorial & definitely using it!

  8. They look fabulous, but I don’t think I’d have the patience!

  9. Those are SO cute! I’d love to do that for my daughter’s next birthday but I don’t know if I have your skills hahah.

  10. How long do they last? Can I make them a 4 days before a party?

  11. Oh how gorgeous! You are my hero of the day for this awesome posting! Thanks for sharing!

  12. Why do you take the “tied” end of the balloon and the “nipple” end and tape/attach them? I do not understand the purpose of this step. But VERY cool project!!!

  13. I want to do a bubbles and balloon theme for my daughters first birthday but I couldn’t decide how to do the cake. You may have just solved my problem….that is if I can make them 🙂 Thanks!

  14. how much is 2 part water and 1 part gelatin like how much as in tsp or talbespoons

  15. How much is 2 parts water to 1 part gelatin?

  16. Tony LaMonte says

    Hi, Love these gelatin bubbles! Are they OK on a buttercream iced cake? How long before serving can they be placed on the cake?

    Thank you, Tony LaMonte

  17. Laiuppa Tlynn says

    You could have given credit to original creator of these (published in 2010). Honestly, taking credit for the creativity for this makes me sad and want to quit sharing. I’m sure you will remove this comment as it isn’t very nice of me to call you out.

    • angie lee says

      I certainly didn’t take credit for creating these and clearly stated so in the tutorial. Thanks for stopping by.

  18. Laiuppa Tlynn says

    You certainly do, you are taking credit by failing to CITE your sources. Your friend did NOT tweak anything..she merely did as instructed in the original and you have a responsibility to research before you post. Even Wikipedia Cites it’s sources, Unless you did the original research, which you did not, you should always cite where you got your info, it’s easy to find. Why don’t you post a link back to the source?

    You should give the same courtesy to my sister and myself that you ask for here…
    ” If you would like to borrow anything, just ask. And give me credit, of course. Thanks “

    • There are many tutorials out there, and she DID use multiple sources. After researching, it looks like THE ORIGINAL source is Cake Central {which I just linked}. You are correct though. I should have linked to at least one of them, so I’ve done so now. Hopefully it’s your tutorial on Cake Central. I thought perhaps that you would link to your tutorial in your comments here since I have no idea which tutorial is yours.

  19. OK, so I have been a cake decorator for years. I have started the bubbles. I am at the same spot others have commented on. The ratio of 2:1. I understand that this needs to be heated but right now I have a lot of gelatin that simply does not melt down to a point that one can simply dip a balloon into to get it coated. Could this mean that it should be the usual 2 Cups of water? to one package of gelatin? If so big, big difference in the instructions given of 2 parts water to 1 part gelatin. I will now try to reheat again but the directions need to be exactly right.

    • Frances,
      We used more like Tablespoons. So like 2 tablespoons of water to 1 tablespoon of gelatin. Also, maybe these images are deceiving, but these are small balloons, maybe an inch in diameter once they are blown up.

  20. Can I use Jello instead of the Gelatin?