Spun Sugar For Sugar Plum Fairy Recipes

Steps:

• Using masking tape, attach 2 wooden spoons to your work surface, placing them side by side with handles extended over edge. Lightly brush oil over handles. Cover floor with newspaper.
• Prepare an ice-water bath. Bring sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Cook until mixture turns pale amber, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat; transfer pan to ice-water bath. Let cool until slightly thickened (like the consistency of honey), about 1 minute.
• Cut the looped ends of a wire whisk with wire cutters (or use 2 forks held back to back). Dip ends into caramel. From about 2 feet above spoon handles, swing caramel back and forth like a pendulum in long arcs, allowing strands to fall in thin threads over the handles. Immediately gather strands into a loose nest. (If caramel becomes too stiff, gently reheat over low.) Use immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment; trace six circles measuring 3 inches in diameter on each. Turn paper over so ink is face down.
• Place meringue in an 18-inch pastry bag fitted with a jumbo star tip (Ateco #824). Pipe meringue into disks filling the circles, starting at center and working outward in a spiral. Pipe two more layers around edge, forming a bowl.
• Bake 1 hour, until meringue is set and no longer tacky. Reduce heat to 175 degrees. Bake until meringue is completely dry and crisp but not at all brown, 1 hour or more. Remove from oven; store in an airtight container until ready to use, up to 2 days.
• Place jam in pan over low heat. Cook until liquid, about 5 minutes. Pass through fine strainer; discard solids. Place jam in an airtight container until ready to use.
• Using a small brush, lightly coat berries with egg white. Sprinkle with superfine sugar until well coated, shaking off excess.
• In bowl of electric mixer, whip cream to soft peaks. Add jam; fold in, using rubber spatula. Place meringue bowls in jumbo paper cupcake liners set on plates. Spoon plum mixture into meringues; top with berries and spun sugar. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• In a champagne glass combine Champagne, plum wine and cranberry juice. Garnish with a gumdrop.