In this series, we're showing off some of the coolest recipes, tips and tricks we've learned from chefs in the all-new Food Network Kitchen app.

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I’ve been obsessed with mirror glaze cakes since they first popped up on Instagram a few years ago. A cake that theoretically is sooo shiny you could see your own reflection in it — sign me up! Despite my complete and utter love of them, I've always wondered how they get that shiny coat. Thanks to Dan Langan and the Food Network Kitchen app, now I know it's not as hard as it appears.

When I came across Dan Langan’s Mirror Glaze Class on the brand-new Food Network Kitchen app a few weeks ago, I knew I had to watch it. Having been a fan of Dan for years, I was confident that if anyone could demystify the phenomenon of the mirror glaze it was him. Within five minutes of watching his class, I knew I was right.

Dan begins by showing viewers how to make and color their mirror glaze — two things I knew absolutely nothing about. (When did food coloring start coming in powder form?!) While I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, do yourself a favor and make sure you have cold water, white gel food coloring and corn syrup on hand. Without this magical trifecta of ingredients, you won’t get that beautiful, glass-like sheen you’re after.

Instead of leaving viewers to their own devices, Dan walks you through three of his favorite mirror glaze techniques and each one is more breathtaking than the next. Honestly, I was so mesmerized I watched the class five. different. times. And while I’m planning to try all of Dan’s techniques, it was his Stamped Mirror Glaze that stole my heart.

With just the rim of a drinking glass, a cookie cutter and some colored ganache, Dan transformed an average cake from ordinary to extraordinary in minutes. The coolest part about this galaxy-inspired technique is, as Dan puts it, “you never really know what you’re going to get, so you should just embrace however it turns out because it’s always going to be beautiful.” With that, all my worries about making an ugly cake vanished. So what if my lines weren't the straightest? Or my colors weren't the most vibrant? As long as I make the cake my very own, everything will be fine!

I can now confidently say that Mirror Glaze Cake is on my holiday to-do list. And it should be on yours too! Whether you choose to try your hand at Dan's Color Blocked Pouring technique, his Feathered Bead Pull or his Stamping method, be sure to remember his golden rule: Embrace however it turns out!

Be sure to watch Dan Langan's Cake Decorating Basics course where you'll learn about everything from stacking and frosting cake to using modeling chocolate and fondant.

Get the all-new Food Network Kitchen app now!