Sugar Cages (A La " Bridget Jones")

DIRECTIONS

• Put sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Insert a thermometer and cook the sugar mixture until it reaches 311°F.
• Remove from the heat and pour into a medium microwaveable bowl.
• Lightly coat bowl that matches whatever you're placing the sugar cage over with cooking spray.
• Dip the prongs of a fork into hot sugar.
• This is the hard part: carefully but quickly wave the fork over the inside of the bowl, allowing the sugar to drip off fork in long, thin strands.
• Try to do the strands evenly on the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Making sure to come all the way to the rim, but not so thick that you can't see the bowl through the sugar.
• Using a sharp knife, slice the edge of the cage clean by scraping the blade of the knife along the rim of the bowl.
• Let cool for 5 minutes.
• To get the cage out: place your thumbs on the outside of the bowl and your fingers on the inside of the sugar cage.
• Gently pull the cage loose from the side and bottom of the bowl.
• Apply this same pressure all around the inside of the bowl.
• After the cage out of the bowl place it over the dessert.
• WARNING: If the sugar is still too warm, the cage will begin to collapse.
• You should let the cage cool completely first before removing it.
• This will make sure it keeps its shape.