Gum Paste Recipe

Here's the gum paste recipe from Scott Clark Woolley:

INGREDIENTS

6 cups + 1 1/3 cups confectioner's sugar
2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. Gum Tragacanth
6 tbsp. water
4 tsp. unflavored powdered gelatin
1 heaping tbsp. shortening
2 extra large eggwhites or 30 gms pasteurized egg whites

METHOD

• Place 6 cups of confectioner's sugar and gum tragacanth in metal bowl over simmering water for about 5 minutes. Stir it once and remove from heat.
• In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin on the water and leave for a few minutes until it 'blooms'. Place over simmering water or place in microwave, for about 30 seconds, until gelatin dissolves. Add in shortening to melt.
• Add in this mixture, along with the egg whites, into the sugar. If using a mixer, start it at slow then when it starts to mix up, increase the speed to medium and beat for about a minute.
• Make a well with the 1 1/3 cups confectioner's sugar. Scrape the gelatin/sugar mixture into the well. Work in he sugar into the mixture. It will be very loose at this moment. Grease hands and knead the paste. Cover with plastic wrap. Let it rest overnight. If in a rush, place in the refrigerator for about an hour until firm.
• To use the gum paste, take a piece out and work it by stretching and pulling until it is pliable. Place unused piece in plastic wrap or plastic zipper bag. This will prevent the gum paste from drying out.