Food Glue and Tylo Powder

The ready-to-use edible glue comes in a bottle with an integrated brush, ready to use without preparation. Ideal for pastry chefs and cake designers who want to save time on orders:

• Bottle with brush: direct and precise application
• Stable texture: neither too liquid nor too thick, adheres immediately
• Tasteless: does not alter decoration flavors
• Odorless: compatible with all pastries
• Long shelf life: 12 to 18 months before opening, 6 months after opening if sealed tightly
• Ready in 2 seconds: no need to mix, dissolve, or wait

Application: assembling fondant figurines, attaching gum paste flowers, gluing fondant ribbons, sealing tier edges, fixing letters and numbers on cake toppers.

The Tylo powder (carboxymethylcellulose or CMC) is the absolute reference for professional cake design. See our Patissland Tylo powder at a competitive price. This white, odorless, and tasteless powder:

• Strengthens fondants: added in small amounts, it transforms soft fondant into ultra-strong flower paste
• Allows homemade gum paste production from classic fondant
• Creates a homemade edible glue: mixed with water, becomes a strong adhesive
• Dries quickly: Tylo-reinforced decorations harden in a few hours
• Very long shelf life: 24 to 36 months in a sealed dry jar
• Economical: 1 teaspoon is enough for 250 g fondant, a jar lasts for months

Essential for making fine and durable sugar flowers, letters and numbers that stand upright on cakes, detailed figurines that do not collapse over time.

The tragacanth gum is the traditional natural alternative to Tylo powder, see our Patissland tragacanth gum. Derived from the sap of shrubs of the Astragalus genus:

• 100% natural origin: preferred by organic and natural pastry chefs
• Similar texture to Tylo powder once hydrated
• Slightly more expensive but more traditional
• Same application: 5 g tragacanth gum per 500 g fondant to transform into gum paste
• Homemade glue recipe: 1 tsp tragacanth gum + 100 ml warm water = natural glue

Choice between Tylo (CMC) and tragacanth gum according to your preferences: Tylo dissolves faster, tragacanth gum is 100% natural. Both give equivalent results in cake design.

Simple recipe to make your own homemade edible glue with Tylo powder:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of hot water (about 60 ml)
• 1/2 teaspoon of tylose powder (CMC)

Instructions:

• Step 1: pour hot water into a small clean container
• Step 2: gradually add Tylo powder while whisking vigorously
• Step 3: stir until the powder is completely dissolved (about 1 minute)
• Step 4: cover the container and let rest for at least 1 hour at room temperature
• Step 5: the glue is ready, apply with a fine brush

Important notes:

• The created substance must rest for at least 1 hour before use to reach the right texture
• Homemade glue keeps for 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container
• The homemade glue lasts less time than ready-to-use commercial glue, ideal for immediate assemblies to be used within the following days
• If it becomes too thick during storage, add a few drops of water and whisk

Several variations of the basic recipe according to your specific needs:

• More liquid glue (hard-to-reach areas): double the water (1/2 cup + 1/2 tsp Tylo)
• Thicker glue (bulky joints): double the Tylo (1/4 cup + 1 tsp Tylo)
• Express glue (emergency): use boiling water, rest only 30 min
• Long-lasting glue: add 1 teaspoon of food-grade burning alcohol (neutral vodka, mouth alcohol)
• Flavored glue: replace part of the water with lemon juice for a subtle taste
• Glue without Tylo: replace with 1 tsp of tragacanth gum in the same amount of water

Ready-to-use commercial edible glue remains more practical for professionals in shops who have regular orders. Homemade glue is perfect for occasional amateurs who make 1-2 cakes per month.

To transform classic sugar paste into solid flower paste:

• Step 1: weigh the sugar paste (for example 250 g)
• Step 2: sprinkle 1 level teaspoon of Tylo powder (about 3-4 g)
• Step 3: knead the paste vigorously to incorporate the powder evenly (5 minutes)
• Step 4: let the paste rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes
• Step 5: the paste is now transformed into homemade gum paste, ideal for sugar flowers, letters, detailed figurines

This technique is 3 times more economical than buying ready-to-use gum paste directly. Also see our ready-to-use white gum paste and our white modeling paste to compare options.

To model durable figurines that do not sag:

• Tylo reinforced paste: add 1 tsp per 250 g of sugar paste
• Shaping: shape bodies, heads, limbs separately
• Intermediate drying: let dry 4-6 hours before assembly
• Assembly: use ready-to-use or homemade edible glue to join parts
• Final details: paint eyes, mouth, clothes after complete drying (24h)

Figurines made with Tylo-reinforced dough keep for several months away from humidity, unlike simple fondant figurines which collapse in a few weeks.

For letters and numbers in fondant that must stand straight on the cake:

• Reinforced dough: 250 g fondant + 1.5 tsp Tylo (slightly more than for figurines)
• Cutting: use alphabet cutters on dough rolled to 4-5 mm thickness
• Flat drying: let dry 24h flat on silicone paper
• Inserting a stem: for large letters, insert an Easy Cut stem or toothpick at the back before complete drying
• Fixing: use edible glue at the base to fix the letter vertically on the cake

Tylo letters and numbers stand perfectly straight even on tall wedding cakes.

Sugar flowers require an ultra-fine and strong dough:

• Reinforced flower dough: 250 g fondant + 2 tsp Tylo (maximum dose)
• Very thin rolling: 1-2 mm thickness for translucent petals
• Cutting and veining: with flower cutters and veiners
• Drying in shape: on curved supports (spoons, silicone molds) for 24-48h
• Assembly: edible glue to assemble petals, sepals, stamens
• Finishing: edible paint or edible powder for nuanced effects

See also our gold leaf and glitter collection for premium finishing of sugar flowers.

Important: the more Tylo you add, the faster the dough dries. Work quickly and keep the rest covered with cling film to avoid premature drying.

Professional procedure to assemble sugar paste decorations:

• Surface preparation: both pieces to be glued must be clean and slightly dry on the surface (not wet)
• Glue application: with a clean fine brush, apply a thin layer of glue on one of the two surfaces (not too much, or it will overflow)
• Immediate assembly: position pieces within 30 seconds after application
• Holding: hold pieces together 1 to 2 minutes for initial setting
• Final drying: let dry 30 minutes to 1 hour before handling
• Reinforcement: for heavy pieces (large figurines), insert a toothpick inside to strengthen the bond

The 6 most common mistakes with edible glue:

• Too much glue: glue overflows and stains sugar paste. Apply in a very thin layer
• Wet surface: sugar paste still sticky = glue won’t set. Wait at least 1 hour drying
• Not enough waiting: moving pieces before setting = detachment. Minimum 1-2 minutes of stillness
• Dirty brush: transmits bacteria and odors. Always rinse between uses
• Old glue: homemade glue over 2 weeks old = loss of adhesion. Make fresh glue
• Pieces too heavy: large figurines glued only = fall. Combine glue + toothpick or wooden skewer

For complex cake design cases:

• Large pieces: combine glue + rod (toothpick, food-grade wooden skewer, Easy Cut rod) inserted into both pieces
• Vertical joints: apply glue, hold with a temporary support (sugar paste wedge, book) until dry
• Varnished or painted surfaces: lightly sand the bonding area for optimal adhesion
• Invisible joints: use a little pure water instead of glue to avoid marks (only on small assemblies)
• Post-drying repair: soften the area with a warm damp cloth, then re-glue

For cake designers, edible glue and Tylo powder are the basic technical tools:

• High-end wedding cakes with figurines, flowers, sugar calligraphy
• Event tiered cakes with sturdy vertical decorations
• Quick customization for urgent orders (birthday, baby shower)
• Sturdy cake toppers that survive transport
• Strengthening homemade gum paste (cost-saving vs ready-made gum paste)

For shop pastry chefs, these products allow you to:

• Offering a range of decorated cakes made to order (weddings, birthdays)
• Creating signature decorative pieces that last several days in the display window
• Differentiating the shop from neighborhood bakeries without advanced cake design
• Saving time with ready-to-use glue vs repeated homemade preparation
• Training apprentices in professional cake design techniques

For home cake design enthusiasts, it’s the tool that takes you from "beginner" to "impressing my family":

• Children's birthdays with figurines of favorite characters
• Homemade wedding cakes for close weddings
• Sugar floral arrangements to give as gifts
• Gradual learning of cake design techniques
• Affordable cost: a jar of Tylo lasts 6-12 months with regular use

The edible glue is a ready-to-use product, packaged in a bottle with a brush, to be used directly to fix decorations together. Tylo powder is an ingredient to dissolve in water to make your own glue, or to incorporate into fondant to strengthen it. The glue is more convenient for assembling; Tylo is more versatile (strengthening doughs + glue).

Tylo (CMC) is carboxymethylcellulose, derived from plant cellulose. Tragacanth gum comes from the sap of shrubs of the Astragalus genus. Both give equivalent results in cake design (strengthening doughs, homemade glue). Tylo dissolves faster, tragacanth gum is 100% natural. Choice depends on personal preference: Tylo is more practical for professionals, tragacanth gum preferred by organic hobbyists.

Yes, the edible glue is 100% edible and compliant with EU standards. It is made of water and Tylo powder (CMC E466) or tragacanth gum (E413), both authorized food additives. It is tasteless, odorless, and poses no risk for consumption. You can eat it just like the rest of the cake.

With ready-to-use edible glue, decorations hold for several weeks or even months on the cake (limit: the cake’s own shelf life). With homemade Tylo + water glue, the hold lasts 1 to 2 weeks (ideal for cakes to be consumed within a few days). For wedding cakes or pieces that must travel long distances, always prefer ready-to-use glue.

Yes, for small assemblies on fresh fondant (still slightly moist), a simple brush dipped in water may suffice. But for solid assemblies, decorations that must last, or large figurines, edible glue is essential. Pure water does not provide the necessary adhesion for load-bearing or vertical pieces.

If the Tylo-reinforced paste becomes too dry during work, several solutions:

• Add a few drops of edible glycerin and knead
• Add a pinch of fat (Crisco, melted butter) and knead
• Work the paste between warm hands for 1 minute to warm it up
• Cover with a damp film for a few minutes to rehydrate the surface

Prevention: always keep the paste under plastic wrap during work, only take out the needed portion.

Tylo (CMC E466) and tragacanth gum are among the least allergenic additives. Ready-to-use edible glues are made from these same ingredients diluted in water. No significant known allergies to date. For ultra-sensitive individuals, check the label for possible traces of added allergens (rare).