Geometric Confectionery: 3D Printed Sugar Cubes by The Sugar Lab

The Sugar Lab just took the whole notion of sugar cubes to the next level with their complex geometric confectionary. Created using the first ever 3D printer capable of extruding an edible medium, the team foresee the technology being used for decorative cake toppers, niche sugar cubes and high-end sweets (candy).

It does of course seem a terrible waste to eat such beautiful objects, but the (r)evolution of 3D printing promises to make it just as easy to produce such ornate forms as it would be to create a humble sugar cube.

Some of the miniature sculptures already designed by The Sugar Lab include some rather natty skulls, ultra-modern geometric forms, and other such tumblrful imagery. But I expect the technology will end up mostly being used in the bespoke baking industry to make unique cake topper decorations, and as pictured below even a wedding cake base made from a structural latticework of sugar.

The Sugar Label is a subdivision of 3D Systems, the forebears and indeed still the forerunners in the field of 3D printing. You can actually buy their Geometric Peppermints and Neon Ombre Sours through the ‘cloud 3D printing service’ Cubify for the somewhat expensive sum of £22; 3D printing is evidently still not all that efficient. But 3D Systems intend to sell their monochrome ChefJet 3D printers for just under $5,000 once they’ve done putting the finishing touches on the design.

$5,000 is obviously not a viable price for the domestic setting but would certainly prove a worthwhile investment for high-end cake and confectionary producers. At current, the ChefJet is the only 3D printer capable of producing edible models and they plan on offering ‘a variety of recipes, including sugar, candy in various sweet and sour flavors, and milk chocolate.’ Whether or not users will be able to make their own ‘materials’ remains to be seen, and could ultimately end up deciding whether the technology catches on; remember how awful inkjet cartridges were?