Imagine being able to create a cake design just by hitting the "print" button on a special printer. Or creating a wedding cake topper that looks exactly like the bride and groom. Or maybe you'd like to wow a corporate client with 3-D sugar logos for business meeting coffee breaks. The possibility is not as futuristic as it may seem. 3-D baking products have been in development for several years and are becoming more readily available to progressive bakeries to create confections that would have seemed like just a dream just a short while ago.

General 3-D printing lets people print tangible, three-dimensional items as opposed to traditional ink jet printing, which simply puts words on paper. Typically, 3-D printing is created by using materials such as metal or plastic instead of ink. The special printer then builds the item layer by layer as the print head passes repeatedly over the designated area. Well, the same principle is in place with 3-D baking. Using sugar, frosting, candy, fondant or other edibles, custom designs are created to design specifications. The potential for cupcake and cake toppers is limited only by the imagination of the baker.

From intricate geographic designs, to a favorite pet or even delicate flowers, almost anything can be created into beautiful, three-dimensional pieces of edible art.

The 3-D process is essentially similar to ink-jet printing. Fruit, nut and floral essences can be added to the base of sugar, salt, oil and water which is then sprayed down in layers to create a full color effect. The build-up of the repeated layers creates the dimension to form the desired structure. The piece ends up submerged in dry ingredients and, when completed, is then pulled out and finished with tiny blasts of air to remove any residue.

The appeal of 3-D printing to bakeries is the ability to create precise, colorful creations to exacting standards.

Human creation of edible objects can be amazing but the skills required are rare and not always consistent. 3-D printing provides edible confections that are accurate in design, color and size regardless of the number of applications. This opens up the market for bakeries who want to offer more high-end looking products but didn't have the capabilities before.

Food manufacturers have already jumped on the 3-D printing bandwagon because of the increased creative possibilities and ways to extend their market reach. The Hershey Company has partnered with a 3-D manufacturer to develop a printer that prints three-dimensional chocolate products.

"Whether it's creating a whole new form of candy or developing a new way to produce it, we embrace new technologies such as 3-D printing as a way to keep moving our timeless confectionery treats into the future," said William Papa, head of research and development at Hershey, in a statement.

Innovations in 3-D baking are emerging, too, with ideas to actually print a three-dimensional cake.

An inventor named Joshua Lankford has initiated an idea for a product that would completely bake a 3-D cake product.

Lankford, who is a market researcher, came up with the idea after interviewing a group of kids about what makes great birthday parties.

“What we saw is that about 90% of the cakes they wanted for their next birthday were 3-D. No one brought in a sheet cake with a picture of ‘Clash of Clans’ on it – they wanted a Clan Castle made of cake with little soldiers fighting alongside the castle walls," said Lankford. “Having been intrigued by 3-D printing, I had a moment where I realized that grocery store bakeries could ‘Have their cake and eat it too’,” explained Lankford. “What if a student only had to load a design, and allow a 3D printer to do the rest?”

Lankford's prototype is still in development, but it certainly raises the bar on what might be possible in the area of edible 3-D printing.

Regardless of the size of your bakery, Empire Bakery Equipment has the tools you need to create incredible gourmet treats. Make your recipes come to life with our ovens, dough mixers, cookie depositors and other production equipment and contact us at 1-800-878-4070 with any questions you may have!