This Superfood Edible Glitter is SUPER exciting!!
This simple, fun project creates shimmering, edible glitter using natural superfood powders. It’s a kid-friendly kitchen activity and a healthy way to add sparkle to cookies, frostings, and other desserts.
Made from just a few whole-food ingredients, these edible glitters give color and a subtle nutritional boost without relying on artificial dyes. They are perfect for holiday cookies, cookie exchanges, or any time you want a touch of healthy glamour.
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Impress friends and family at your next cookie exchange with Trim Healthy treats that sparkle. I often bring these Coconut Flour Rolled Sugar Cookies to exchanges, and topping them with superfood glitter makes decorating even more fun.
How I Used Superfood Powders
The Trim Healthy Mama approach encourages avoiding processed ingredients and thinking creatively about whole-food alternatives. I keep several superfood powders on hand to boost smoothies, baked treats, and snack recipes. For this project, those same powders became vibrant, healthy colorants.
A tiny amount of powder is all you need. For a ruby red hue, 1/4 teaspoon of beet powder provides bright color without overwhelming flavor. Deep green comes from 1/4 teaspoon spirulina powder (blue spirulina yields a vivid blue). A golden yellow is achieved with 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric. Rose pink is made from finely ground freeze-dried strawberries (or raspberries for a deeper fuchsia). A light green works well with kale powder.
These powders are concentrated, so only small amounts are needed to tint the gelatin base and create a beautiful spectrum of edible glitters.
Using Gelatin As The Base
I used a high-quality gelatin as the base for these glitters. You can use your preferred brand; each small batch in this recipe is roughly equivalent to one packet of unflavored gelatin. Gelatin sets into thin, brittle sheets that can be ground to a fine, shimmery powder perfect for dusting desserts.
Why I Did Not Add Sweetener
I avoid adding sweetener to the glitter because flavored or alternative sweeteners can alter the taste of decorated treats when overused. The tiny amount of glitter used for decoration doesn’t require sweetness, so skipping sweetener preserves the intended flavor of your baked goods.
If you prefer, you can mix the glitter with a sweetener in equal parts to stretch the product over a larger quantity of cookies or to add sweetness when needed.
This Recipe is Easily Scalable
The recipe below is intentionally small so it’s easy to make for a few dozen cookies without creating excess. It’s simple to multiply the quantities if you want larger batches. Storing small jars of different colors will keep your cupboards tidy while still letting you decorate whenever the mood strikes.
Superfood Edible Glitter Recipe
- 1 tablespoon THM Just Gelatin (or equivalent unflavored gelatin)
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 teaspoon beet powder (or other superfood powder for color)
- Dissolve the gelatin in water and let it bloom for a few minutes.
- Gently heat the bloomed gelatin for about 10 seconds in the microwave or in a double boiler until fully liquefied.
- Stir in the chosen superfood powder until evenly combined, and skim any foam from the surface.
- Pour the mixture onto a silicone mat or parchment-lined tray and spread into a very thin, even layer.
- Allow the sheet to dry completely for about 24 hours in a cool, dry place.
- Cut the dried gelatin sheet into pieces that will fit into a coffee grinder or spice mill.
- Grind the pieces until they become a fine powder.
- Sift the powder through a fine sieve to remove any larger particles, then transfer to airtight jars for storage.
- To use, lightly sprinkle over icings, cookies, or desserts to add a healthy, colorful glimmer.
Other Helpful Articles About Trim Healthy Baking
Baking with Sugar Alternatives
Baking THM Style
Low Carb Baker’s Blend {THM FP}