Gum Paste

Ingredients

• 4 oz. white gum tragacanth
• 1 pt warm water
• 3 lbs powdered sugar
• 2 lbs fine starch
• 1/4 lb sugar
• 1 drop blue coloring

Directions

1. Soak 4 oz. gum tragacanth in 1 pint of warm water for 24 hours until dissolved.

2. Force the dissolved gum through a towel by twisting.

3. Rub the gum on a marble slab for 10 minutes.

4. Gradually add 3 lbs of powdered sugar while continuing to rub until the paste is white and tough.

5. Store in a jar until needed.

6. For flowers, work in 2 lbs of fine starch and 1/4 lb of sugar into 1/2 of the stock mixture.

7. For leaf ornaments, work in 2 lbs of sugar and 1 lb of starch into 2 lbs of the stock mixture, adding 1 drop of blue coloring.