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imaginecakes
Forum Addict
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Joined: Feb 20, 2006
Posts: 578
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Birthday: Jul 29
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:26 am |
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The last 3 cakes that I have tried to make ( all within the last month ) were total disasters. I have a SERIOUS problem with all of my fondant and gumpaste figures completely falling apart. All of them. And not just once, but all over, like crumbling in my hands to the point were they are unfixable. So, I have to say that I live in Fort Collins Colorado and we are aprox 5500 feet in elevation. It is also increditably dry here, the humidity is almost non-existent. I am hoping this is the problem, but even if it is....how can this be fixed? Aside from moving  I should also mention that I have used several different brands of fondant as well as MMF and I have used Satin Ice Gumpaste and two different recipies that I have, they all turn out the same. The last cake was my daughter's 5th birthday cake this past Saterday, the entire family was here to witness me attempting to assemble it, only to have everything fall apart...I ended up running upstatirs to the bedroom balling. I couldn't even bring myself to stop crying long enough to sing Happy Birthday to her. I worked on some of those gumpaste figures for three days, and to see it all just fall apart...WOW. I think I actually said....That's it. I give up! Any ideas? Sorry this turned out so long!  |
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AJsGirl
Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 20, 2007
Posts: 390
Location: Duluth, GA
Birthday: Oct 03
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:52 am |
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imaginecakes
Forum Addict
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Joined: Feb 20, 2006
Posts: 578
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Birthday: Jul 29
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:59 am |
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Curtsmin24
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 05, 2008
Posts: 291
Location: florida
Birthday: Oct 28
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:06 am |
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I really don't know how to help you but I am really sorry this happened to you. I have also been to that point and crying soothes the soul so it's okay. Try to stay positive and please don''t stop making cakes. Take a break from fondant because it can be a pain at times. Hugs!!!! I'm sure someone on cc can help you. Sorry that I can't. I really wish I could.  |
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asmith
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 21, 2007
Posts: 29
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:10 pm |
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I live in Wyoming at about the same elevation and dryness. I have had pretty good luck with Satin Ice fondant. I do use a lot of shortening when I work with fondant. I haven't done a lot of elaborate figures, but have covered some good sized cakes and have found that as long as I work the shortening in to the fondant it works okay. |
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Melvira
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 28, 2006
Posts: 5295
Location: Lost Nation, Iowa
Birthday: Sep 20
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:11 pm |
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Alright Missy... that's enough talk about 'quitting'!! I will not listen to that one more time!! You can DO THIS! We are going to figure out what the deal is, and you are going to turn this around!
Now, I'm not familiar with any adverse effects of altitude on fondant, but if it's that dry, perhaps you need to knead in some crisco to the fondant before making the pieces! Also, consider storing them in a bag or container where they will not completely dry out. You want them a little dry, but obviously cracking into a million pieces in your hand is NOT the desired effect! How do the pieces feel/look after you've made them, but before they sit for a few days? Are they supple and nice or are they already too dry? If they are fine at first, then simply try storing them covered. If they are already too dry, add some crisco. You are unfortunately going to have to try and fail a little here to figure it all out. Hopefully we can find someone who has been through this and figured out some tricks and tips.
You can do it, have faith in yourself. The best of the best have failed at something more than once before becoming the best! I bet even Colette Peters made a lopsided, ugly cake once!!  But look at her now!! Like a pal of mine here has on her signature line, "Fall down seven times, get up eight!" Don't give up! |
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Doug
Forum SuperStar!
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Joined: Jun 28, 2005
Posts: 7907
Location: NC
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:15 pm |
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have you tried getting a humidifier -- either room or whole house size?
if it's that dry, it isn't good for your health either.
(the ultrasonic type, while nice to watch with there little stream of fog have the annoying habit of generating a fine white dust. the type that use wicks or heat won't do this) |
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merissa
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 07, 2006
Posts: 4417
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:18 pm |
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Maybe some crisco kneaded into it?
Is it just hte figures you are having trouble with? If so, and if I were you, I would just take a break from the figures and go back to something that you know will work...just to get you out of your rut. Then head back to it when you have your confidence back. |
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crl
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 59
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:21 pm |
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Jhansen13 - I am about an hour or 2 south of you in Parker, CO. I've never used gumpaste, but the only times I have had issues with my fondant cracking or falling apart was when I had added too much powdered sugar to it, or didn't work fast enough when making a figure and the air made it unworkable. I haven't tried this since I read the tip on this site, but maybe next time you find the fondant crumbling, try adding some shortening to see if that helps. It is supposed to add the moisture back in to the fondant. Stick with it, it has to get better. |
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mommyle
Forum Addict
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 626
Location: In the Kitchen, Calgary AB
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:46 pm |
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Try adding Vodka. To your tummy. Then Criso to your fondant. If it is sticking while you work with it, instead of using powdered sugar to keep it from sticking to you, use crisco. And if it is crumbling in your hands, add a SMAll amount of water. Work it in. It WILL be a sticky mess, but it may help. Good luck, and never quit!!! |
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kakeladi
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: May 26, 2004
Posts: 3224
Location: traveling the U.S. in my R.V.
Birthday: Nov 08
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:57 pm |
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Any chance someone in the family took some pix of what you made? Maybe seeing it would help us try to solve this for you.
Yes, the Criso should help but you can also work too much in. There is a fine line between enough and too much.
Take a piece of fondant about the size of a large walnut; dip about 1/3 of it into egg white & shake off; work it, work it, work it.....it will become a sticky mess, but if you keep working it it will become supple; now add some Crisco to your hands and work it, work it, work it. HTH |
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sbachorosk
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 19, 2007
Posts: 21
Location: Manitou Springs, CO
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:12 pm |
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I'm sorry you are having trouble! I know how discouraging that is when you work so hard. I live in Colorado at about 6000 feet. I haven't had trouble with my figures falling apart. I've used Wilton Fondant and made Toba's fondant. I knead a little gumpaste powder into my fondant to help it dry and keep it's shape. When it gets sticky or cracks I put a little crisco on my fingers and work it in. Don't give up! |
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Sugar_Plum_Fairy
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Aug 30, 2006
Posts: 2404
Location: Somerset County, NJ
Birthday: Jun 03
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:17 pm |
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Okay, Doug took my idea. I was going to suggest a humidifier. Also, since there's humidity in the fridge, what about storing your gp figures in there for a while after modeling them before letting them dry? I'm just guessing here, but maybe that would add a bit of necessary moisture before drying them. Again, just sort of thinking aloud here.
Or maybe letting the figures dry in the oven and putting a small cup of water in there also?
I really wish I had the answer for you. I know what a terrible feeling it is to have all your hard work go up (or down) in smoke as soon as you've finished it. {{{Big Hug}}}
Between you and everyone on this board, we'll figure something out! |
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candee2300
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 21, 2007
Posts: 31
Location: beaver, Pennsylvania
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:17 pm |
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I just recently experienced having my fondant really dry also. For some reason I thought to put the fondant in the microwave, and wow it really helped. It made it so much softer and pliable. Hopefully it will work for you. I have so been there!!! Don't give up. |
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MacsMom
Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 05, 2007
Posts: 1489
Location: CA
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:25 pm |
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I add a tablespoon of glycerine to my MMF. I live in a dessert zone and haven't had any trouble.
Recently I was laying a piece of MMF over a board coated with piping gel and I got it on crooked, so I scraped it off and went ahead and kneaded it again with the piping gel and it came out wonderful! So great that I want to experiment with adding piping gel to my MMF instead glycerine.
I use a lot of toothpicks and gumpaste glue when I make figures to be sure they don't fall apart -- and I use 50/50 gumpaste and MMF. |
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We've all been there.
