How to Make Gelatin Bubbles

Water Balloons

unflavored gelatin

tweezers

slotted plastic plate

small craft paintbrush

Food color

Small microwave safe bowl

Blow up your water balloon, I only blow mine up half way or less to get the size bubble I want. If there is a nipple on the end of your balloon you will need to pull the nipple to where the knot is. Twist the two together and tape with duct tape

1. Mix 2 parts cold water to 1 part unflavored gelatin (like Knox). Start by putting your cold water into a microwave safe bowl. Add a drops of Food color, the amount will depend on how translucent you want your bubble,

2. Stir and then sprinkle your gelatin over the water so it will all get absorbed. Let sit for 5 minutes to sponge.

3. Coat your balloon thinly with shortening, and then wipe off the excess. If you have too much, the gelatin wont stay on.

4. Put your gelatin mixture into the microwave for about 10 seconds You want the gelatin to heat up but not boil. Stir gently when it comes out, to make sure the gelatin is dissolved;

5. Remove any un-dissolved gelatin. Be careful not to incorporate any air bubbles when you stir. Let cool for a minute

6. Stir the mixture again gently as the food color will settle, and using tweezers grab the balloon by tyeing a knot and dip into the gelatin; rotating the balloon around to coat the entire surface except around the knot.

7. Hold upright (knot on the bottom, round balloon on top) and tap to remove excess gelatin.

Tip balloon to remove excess gelatin. The balloon will need to sit a few minutes to set before dipping again. The balloon will need 3 or 4 layers of gelatin to be thick enough

8. Once dry so repeat the previous two steps, two or three more times. If the gelatin mixture cools too much you can pop the bowl back into the microwave for 4 seconds to re-heat.

9. Tip** Gelatin shrinks as it dries so we need a fairly thick layer so the gelatin wont collapse when the balloon is popped

Place the balloon onto a holder with the knot side down to dry completely. I have a plastic plate with a slit in it. The gelatin wont stick to the plastic when dry.

10. The balloon can dry in a few hours or overnight.

Once dry, place your thumb or finger into the opening by the knot and press the balloon to help it separate from the gelatin.

11. Then place scissors next to the knot and poke the balloon and it will deflate and release from the gelatin. If some balloon does stick, usually you can get a finger inside to rub the excess away.

At this point you can cut the opening of the bubble with scissors to smooth it out

12. The underside of the bubble will sit on your cake so it wont show.