Pearls

The edible gold pearls are the most iconic decorations in high-end pastry:

• Edible gold pearls 100g: see our edible gold pearls 100g, convenient size for regular use
• Gold pearls 5mm 1kg: see our gold pearls 5mm 1kg, professional size for pastry shops
• Metallic gold sugar pearls 6mm 1kg Azucren: see our metallic gold pearls 6mm 1kg Azucren, intermediate size
• Gold Decora pearls 5mm 100g: Decora version with shiny metallic finish
• Gold Decora pearls 7mm 100g: for bold visual effects on large surfaces

Typical application: 1-2 g of pearls per cupcake, 5-8 g per cookie, 30-50 g per wedding cake tier. Guaranteed luxury effect.

The silver pearls add a modern and refined touch as an alternative to gold:

• Silver pearls 5mm 100g: shiny metallic finish for contemporary weddings
• Silver pearls 1kg: professional size for shops with regular demand
• Winter wedding application: silver + pure white for an "elegant frost" effect
• Corporate application: silver + black for sophisticated corporate events
• Winning combination: silver + white pearls + silver leaf for a monochromatic wedding cake

Silver is a modern alternative to all-gold. Especially trendy for 2025-2026 weddings.

Pro rule: the bigger the creation, the bigger the pearls can be. On a cupcake, 7mm will be disproportionate. On a 3-tier wedding cake, 4mm will be invisible.

The edible white pearls are the base of any pastry kit, versatile for all occasions:

• Edible white pearls 100g Decora: shiny pearly finish, classic pearly effect
• White pearls 1kg: professional size for high-turnover shops
• Universal application: wedding cakes, baptisms, communions, baby showers
• Luxury combination: white pearls + gold pearls for a refined two-tone effect
• Baroque effect: large white pearls on desserts for a "precious oyster" effect

For ultra-luxury finishes, see our Azucren gold leaf 8x8cm to pair with white pearls.

The red and pink pearls are essential for romantic and feminine themed parties:

• Medium Red 4mm FunCakes sugar pearls: see our Medium Red 4mm sugar pearls FunCakes for Valentine's Day and couple birthdays
• Pink pearls: for girl baby showers and little girls' birthdays
• Fuchsia pearls: for modern birthdays and vibrant parties
• Valentine's Day application: red pearls + sugar hearts + pink glaze for signature cupcakes
• Girl baby shower application: pink pearls + Bubblegum Pop FunCakes pearls + pink sprinkles

To diversify reds, also see our red mirror glaze 350g for consistent desserts.

The blue pearls bring freshness and originality to creations:

• Blue pearls 100g: for boy baby showers and themed birthdays
• Turquoise pearls: for beach weddings and nautical themes
• Midnight blue pearls: for sophisticated evenings and winter weddings
• Boy baby shower application: blue pearls + FunCakes white mini balls + themed sprinkles
• Marine theme application: blue pearls + Shark sprinkles 80g for children's birthdays

The Soft Pearls FunCakes are softer pearls with a mix of pastel colors:

• Soft Pearls Pink & White: see our romantic pastel reference for baby showers and girls' birthdays
• Softer texture: less hard to bite than classic pearls
• Color mix: ready-to-use pre-mixed pastel palette
• Application: "color rain" effect on cupcakes and donuts
• Pinterest trend: widely used for baby showers, gender reveals, and baptisms
• Storage: 12-18 months in a sealed jar, dry place

Also see our Bubblegum Pop FunCakes pearls for a colorful pop palette.

Our catalog also includes special pearls for technical and thematic uses:

• Crunchy raspberry-inspired pearls 1kg: see our Valrhona crunchy raspberry pearls 1kg, signature gourmet pastry
• Bubblegum Pop FunCakes Pearls 80g: see our Bubblegum Pop 80g pearls, colorful pop palette
• Bronze and copper pearls: for autumn weddings and corporate events
• Black pearls: for modern cake design and Halloween
• Green pearls: for Easter, Saint Patrick's Day, nature-themed birthdays

Method to securely fix pearls on your creations:

• On fresh buttercream: press lightly, they stick by contact in the fat
• On ganache: apply just after smoothing, before final crystallization
• On royal icing: place one by one with tweezers for precision on cookies
• On fondant or sugar paste: use tylo powder diluted in water as edible glue
• On tempered chocolate: place while chocolate is still shiny and liquid
• On frozen entremets: place at mirror glaze time, before setting

For fully pearl-covered sides (spectacular effect):

• Step 1: spread a wide, flat tray of pearls on a baking sheet (200-400g depending on cake size)
• Step 2: prepare a cake covered with fresh, smooth buttercream
• Step 3: lay the cake on its side
• Step 4: gently roll the cake in the pearl tray while pressing lightly
• Step 5: fix missed spots with a spoon and direct application
• Step 6: straighten and let rest 10-15 minutes for final adhesion

This technique is visually spectacular but uses a lot of pearls. Use for premium wedding cakes or high-end event birthdays.

The 6 most common mistakes with pearls:

• Surface too dry: pearls won’t stick. Always apply on fresh surface
• Refrigerating decorated cake: condensation = pearls soften and lose metallic shine
• Humid storage: colored pearls lose their color. Always airtight and dry
• Poor timing: apply after icing is fully dry = pearls won’t stick
• Mixing different brands: uneven sizes and finishes, irregular result
• Do not test a sample: before a wedding cake, test on a cupcake to validate hold and appearance

To preserve your pearls over time:

• Airtight jars: close immediately after each use with silicone seal
• Keep dry: absolutely protected from moisture (pearls soften and lose shine)
• Keep away from light: UV rays alter colored hues (pink turns beige, blue fades)
• Temperature: 15-25°C, never above 30°C
• Shelf life: 18 to 24 months for metallic pearls (gold, silver), 12-18 months for colored pearls
• Soft Pearls: maximum 12 months (softer texture = faster oxidation)
• Rotation: use the oldest first (FIFO)

On wedding cakes, pearls are the most iconic decoration:

• Pearled borders at joints: 5mm gold pearl line at tier connections
• Cascade cake top: controlled pouring of pearls from the top
• Tiara effect: gold pearl crown on the top tier
• Ultra-luxe combination: gold pearls + 8x8cm gold leaf + white sugar flowers
• Monochrome wedding cake: white pearls on white fondant for a "precious snow" effect

On cupcakes, pearls provide an instant "professional detail" effect:

• Wedding cupcakes: 3-5 gold 4mm pearls on white buttercream rosette
• Baby shower cupcakes: pink & white Soft Pearls on pastel rosette
• Valentine's Day cupcakes: Medium Red FunCakes red pearls on pink rosette
• Halloween cupcakes: black pearls on orange rosette or chocolate ganache
• Premium store cupcakes: gold pearls + Valrhona raspberry crunchy pearls for fruitiness

On iced cookies, pearls add elegance and precision:

• Iced shortbread cookies: apply royal icing then place pearls with tweezers
• Valentine's Day cookies: heart shape + pink icing + red pearls on the border
• Christmas cookies: iced stars + gold pearls at the center of each branch
• Birthday cookies: alternate gold and colored pearls for a graphic effect
• Store signature cookies: 1 gold pearl on each cookie for a visual signature

Also see our cookie and decorated biscuit recipes.

On mirror glaze entremets, pearls finalize the professional look:

• Lower border: crown of gold pearls at the base of the entremet
• Decorated top: 5-7 large 6mm gold pearls centered at the top
• Cascade effect: pearls diagonally from the top for a "river" effect
• White mirror combination: gold pearls on white chocolate mirror glaze
• Red combination: gold pearls + strawberry mirror glaze or red

On filled candies, the pearls visually sign:

• Molded candies: place 1 gold pearl at the bottom of the mold before pouring chocolate
• Chocolate truffles: roll in a tray of gold pearls for a luxury finish
• Signature chocolates: colored pearls on ganache for store color code
• Mendiants: arrange pearls in a crown around the chocolate before crystallization
• Homemade bars: sprinkle pearls before the chocolate fully sets

For chocolates, see our Callebaut white chocolate and our Guanaja Valrhona dark chocolate.

On fruit tarts, pearls enhance freshness:

• Strawberry tart + gold pearls: see our strawberry tart recipe with gold pearl finish
• Individual tartlets: 3-5 gold pearls in the center of each piece
• Chocolate tart + gold pearls: graphic "constellation" effect on dark chocolate ganache
• Raspberry tart: Valrhona raspberry pearls for color harmony
• Bourdaloue tart: gold pearls on pears and toasted sliced almonds

On cake pops and Magnum cakes, pearls finish the look:

• Wedding cake pops: dipped in white candy melts then 3-5 gold pearls applied
• Birthday cake pops: dipped in colored candy melts + sprinkled with contrasting pearls
• Signature Magnum cakes: see our 3D Magnum XXL mold + dipping + gold pearls
• Chocolate lollipops: melted chocolate disc + pearls arranged in a circle
• Corporate cake pops: colors matching the client's brand

For sticks, see our Wilton 15cm lollipop sticks.

On birthday cakes, pearls customize according to theme:

• Children's birthday: Soft Pearls + themed sprinkles + sugar paste topper
• 18th birthday: gold pearls + silver pearls + golden drip cake
• 30/40/50th birthday: gold pearls + number toppers + luxury finishes
• Couple's birthday: red + pink pearls + sugar hearts
• Surprise birthday: drip effect + cascade of colored pearls

On pavlovas and meringues, pearls create contrast with the whiteness:

• Individual mini pavlovas: cream + fruit + 5-7 gold pearls on top
• Raspberry Pavlova: crunchy Valrhona raspberry pearls for perfect harmony
• Decorative meringues: piped and sprinkled with pearls before baking
• Meringue buffets: assortment of colored pearls for maximum visual effect
• Valentine's Pavlova: pink cream + Medium Red FunCakes red pearls

On festive Yule logs and entremets, pearls add festive sparkle:

• Traditional Christmas Yule log: clusters of gold pearls + sugar holly + fir trees
• Modern Yule log: metallic pearls on chocolate mirror glaze
• Easter entremets: green pearls + sugar rabbits + colored eggs
• King Cake: gold pearls to evoke crowns
• Red fruit Yule log: red pearls + Valrhona raspberry pearls

See also our Christmas sprinkles 180g and our Christmas Wishes sprinkles 70g.

For pastry shops, pearls are the ally for quality production:

• Premium wedding cakes with gold pearls for luxury differentiation
• Shop entremets with metallic pearls for instant professional finish
• Signature cupcakes with small pearls for shop sales
• Decorated cookies in series for buffets and events
• Professional 1kg size to optimize regular production

For cake designers, pearls are essential creative tools:

• Wedding cakes decorated with gold pearls for absolute luxury effect
• Event cake pops in large quantities
• Drip cakes accompanied by pearls for maximum effect
• Tiered cakes with pearl borders at layer joints
• Themed wedding cakes with pearls matching wedding colors

In fine dining, pearls dress plated desserts:

• Mini mirror-glazed entremets with pearl finishing
• Gourmet coffee with pastries decorated with gold pearls
• Crunchy raspberry pearls on gourmet desserts for texture
• Signature ice cream cups with final sprinkle of metallic pearls
• Sweet event appetizers

For home baking enthusiasts, pearls are the ally for festive moments:

• Spectacular children's birthdays with minimal effort
• School snacks with decorated themed cupcakes
• Homemade wedding cakes for family weddings
• Personalized baby showers with Soft Pearls in theme colors
• Introduction to cake design accessible with 100g discovery size

Several distinct categories:

• Pearls: 100% hard sugar spheres, without chocolate core. Harder, distinctive visual signature, pure crunch. Sizes 3-10 mm
• Mini pearls: usually made of a chocolate core coated with a sugar shell. More indulgent, crunchy texture with a melting center. Sizes 4-8 mm
• Dragées: almonds or chocolates coated with several layers of sugar. Larger sizes 10-15 mm, indulgent in the mouth
• Soft Pearls: softer pearls with a mix of pastel colors. Texture less hard than classic pearls

See also our Mini Pearls collection and our complete Sprinkles collection.

Yes, all our metallic beads (gold, silver, bronze) are strictly food-grade and compliant with EU standards (Regulation EC No 1333/2008). The metallic effect is achieved by coating with authorized food additives (E555, E172, E174, E175 depending on colors). Always check the label: "craft" or "scrapbooking" beads are never edible. All our products carry the mandatory "edible" or "food-grade" label.

Varies depending on the base:

• On dry royal icing: indefinitely as long as the icing holds
• On buttercream: 5-7 days without visible degradation
• On ganache: 3-5 days depending on ambient humidity
• On fondant: 7-10 days in a dry environment, may soften if humidity is high
• On fresh fruit: maximum 24h because humidity degrades metallic shine
• In the refrigerator: risk of melting due to humidity, avoid for metallic beads

For long transports (weddings that travel), favor 5mm gold beads which are the most stable.

Proportion rule to follow:

• 4mm beads: for cupcakes, cookies, petits fours (delicate effect)
• 5mm beads: versatile size, for birthday cakes and standard entremets
• 6mm beads: for wedding cakes and premium entremets (marked effect)
• 7mm beads: for tiered cakes and XL cake design (statement effect)

Pro tip: combine 2 different sizes in the same decoration (e.g., 4mm beads in a crown + 1-2 beads 7mm in the centerpiece) for a richer visual effect.

Depending on the references, check the label for:

• Classic sugar beads: generally gluten-free and free of major allergens (check manufacturing site)
• Metallic beads: contain additives E172, E174, E175 (no standard allergy risk)
• Colored beads: may contain E120 (cochineal) non-vegan
• Valrhona crunchy beads: contain white chocolate (milk, soy), possible traces of nuts
• Vegan: most classic beads are vegan, check case by case for colored beads

For strict diets, choose our certified references clearly identified on the product sheets.

To start cake design with beads, 4 references are enough for 90% of occasions:

• Gold or 5mm beads 100g or 1kg depending on volume: the universal reference for weddings, birthdays, premium events
• White pearls 100g: for monochromatic wedding cakes and neutral baby showers
• Silver pearls 100g: for winter weddings and corporate events
• Soft Pearls themed color: for event personalization (pink for girls, blue for boys)

For casual amateurs, the 100g size is enough for 5-10 occasions. For pastry shops, the 1kg size is recommended for maximum profitability.

The art of combining pearls + other decorations requires balance:

• Golden rule: maximum 2-3 complementary textures, no more
• Ultra-luxury effect: gold pearls + gold leaf + white sugar flowers
• Pop effect: colored pearls + themed sprinkles + colored drip
• Pro effect: Valrhona raspberry pearls + raspberry coulis + white chocolate
• Graphic effect: gold pearls + silver pearls alternating for a binary border

Avoid mixing more than 4 different decorations: the effect becomes confusing and loses elegance. Also see our complete Sprinkles collection, our Mini Beads collection, our Vermicelli collection and our gold leaf and glitter collection.