Edible straws that look like plastic ones

Question

I'd like to make some root beer float cupcakes. The recipe suggests garnishing them with a decorative (non-edible) straw. But I'd like to kick things up a notch: is there such a thing as an edible straw that looks sufficiently like a drinking straw (i.e. same width, preferably striped like an old soda fountain straw)?

I know there are various edible straw-like things available, but they all seem noticeably wider that a drinking straw. I don't require that they be hollow inside, but the width is my main concern.

I should clarify that by thickness/width (I just changed it to width in my question) I mean the outer diameter of the straw-like object. I just want something that looks like a drinking straw and not, e.g., a tubular biscotti-like thing. — echristopherson, Mar 08 '16 at 17:13
I always used Red Vines/Twizzlers for straws but they're still wider in diameter. But they're more colorful. — Catija, Mar 08 '16 at 17:41
Does it have to actually be a straw? I know one of the shops near me sells chocolate cigarettes, which might work (depends on the ambient temperature), but you'd have to add the stripe yourself. — Joe, Mar 08 '16 at 18:57
That might work. I'm not sure about pairing chocolate with the root beer, but I know those cigarettes also come in generic sugar flavor. — echristopherson, Mar 08 '16 at 19:10
How long do you intend the fake straw to last? Almost everything edible+solid is water soluble. — rumtscho, Mar 08 '16 at 20:37
[This](http://www.bustle.com/articles/80023-starbucks-cookie-straws-arent-the-only-edible-straws-around-try-these-7-options-too) might be useful reading, though it seems most of its suggestions have already been brought up here. — , Mar 08 '16 at 22:51

score 14 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

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Pirouette cookies (here by Pepperidge Farm) are rolled wafer cookies. The inside is stuffed with chocolate, chocolate hazelnut or vanilla.

Here's a recipe that includes a picture using them in a manner similar to what you're asking.

You could follow the recipe, but tweak it to look more like a straw and with colors and flavors that suit your purpose.

edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

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answered Mar 08 '16 at 19:16

Jolenealaska

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This is what our local soda fountain gives us in our shakes. They don't work very well as actual straws, but visually they give that appearance - so perfect for something where they don't need to be actual straws :) – Joe M Mar 08 '16 at 19:53
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Thanks -- that was one specific thing I was thinking of, albeit one that I think is too wide, but couldn't remember the name of. – echristopherson Mar 08 '16 at 21:20
Making them to look like straws and with a flavor that goes with your theme could be a really fun project :) – Jolenealaska Mar 08 '16 at 21:44
In the comments on the question, the OP seems to not want a cookie-type thing, though I may be misunderstanding. – Catija Mar 08 '16 at 21:44
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The only problem I have with cookie-/biscotti-like treats is that they're fairly wide. – echristopherson Mar 08 '16 at 22:10
@echristopherson Would you consider making them? – Jolenealaska Mar 08 '16 at 23:22
@Jolenealaska Possibly, but for this project I've finally picked something out. – echristopherson Mar 09 '16 at 14:44

score 13 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

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Stick candy would be an option. They even usually offer it in many flavors including root beer or sassafras. Obviously, the root beer flavored ones are sort of boring looking but the other flavors come in many beautiful color combos.

They may be slightly wider than what you want but they're pretty close. They're similar to the wider straws for shakes.

edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

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answered Mar 08 '16 at 17:54

Catija

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I couldn't come up with the American term, but as the OP appears to be from the US that should do the trick. – Chris H Mar 08 '16 at 19:58
I was thinking vanilla flavour might work of you can find it. It would have that artificial vanilla ice cream flavour that would go with root beer. – Chris H Mar 08 '16 at 19:59
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This is what I went with. They have several flavors (with corresponding colors) at Cracker Barrel. – echristopherson Mar 09 '16 at 14:45
You could sand them down if size is a **big** concern, not too easy though – That One Actor Mar 14 '16 at 21:25

score 11 · Answer 3 · edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

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Pocky is probably about the right diameter, but doesn't have that spiral of color that would really look like a straw.

Candy Sticks look right, but the available flavors might not be a great match for your root beer cupcakes.

edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

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answered Mar 08 '16 at 19:25

Erica

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Wow -- if there's something like the Bogdon's sticks without chocolate covering, that would just about do it. It's not optimal that the stripes are lengthwise, but that's OK; real straws usually have those stripes now. – echristopherson Mar 08 '16 at 21:23
I think Pocky is definitely the way to go. They come in quite colourful version, such as [banana (yellow)](http://www.oyatsubox.com/wp-content/uploads/Choco-Banana.jpg) or [strawberry (pink)](http://www.thirstyfortea.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/pocky-boxes2.jpg) which should make quite a convincing straw. – drat Mar 09 '16 at 07:31
@echristopherson If I was just making it for me, I'd lick the chocolate off... but that really isn't an option when cooking for others :) – Erica Mar 09 '16 at 12:00
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Upvoted because Pocky is the right answer for everything – Kevin Mar 09 '16 at 16:41

score 6 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

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I was considering rolling chocolate or fondant and lo and behold some googling turned up these fondant straws made for use atop cupcakes, along with instructions on how to make them:

https://bakearama.wordpress.com/2014/05/09/pink-lemonade-cupcakes/

The short version: Twist together "snakes" of red and white fondant to make straws. They will harden as the fondant dries.

edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

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answered Mar 09 '16 at 07:14

A C

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A C, welcome! Have you ever clicked on a link and received a "this site no longer exists" message? That's *exactly* why we discourage "link only" answers here. Could you please at least paraphrase the main steps, so in case of link rot your answer stays useful? That said, you might want to take the [tour] and visit our [help] to learn more. Welcome to Seasoned Advice! – Stephie Mar 09 '16 at 08:13
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From experience making candy-cane shaped cookies ... make both snakes a little thicker than your intended final diameter. Place the two side by side and roll them around until it looks like it's once stick (not just two things twisted together). As you're rolling, occassionally push one side while pulling the other to get some twist into it. Once it's well bonded, adjust the twist (as best you can, it takes some practice), finish rolling out to the desired thickness, and cut to length. – Joe Mar 14 '16 at 03:56

score 4 · Answer 5 · answered Mar 08 '16 at 17:45

It's the wrong flavour but something like a candy cane with the curved part cut off might look the part.

I've seen many flavours of seaside rock sold in some shops, I think including the thin type about the diameter of a straw. This is in the UK, I'm not sure whether you can get it where you are.

Anywhere calling itself an "old fashioned sweet shop" or selling fudge cut up to order would be worth a try. A quick look online didn't show sensible quantities.

score 4 · Answer 6 · answered Mar 08 '16 at 21:56

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It looks like a product called "lollistraws" by squire boone village might work. They're lolipops shaped as drinking straws.

I do wonder if you can take some homemade candy cane or lolipops, dip them on a lubricated/foiled dowel and then pull out the dowel. Or more insanely, a small cylinder of ice.

answered Mar 08 '16 at 21:56

Batman

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Note: Lollistraws are wholesale only. They look good though. – echristopherson Mar 08 '16 at 22:13
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Yeah. But I'd guess theres someone who resells them. – Batman Mar 08 '16 at 22:35
Yeah, I realized that just after logging off. Yes, there are retailers with them. – echristopherson Mar 08 '16 at 22:44

Edible straws that look like plastic ones

6 Answers6