Help? I made MMF about four times for the same cake and it seemed way toooo dry. It cracked and then when I added some shortening thinking that would help soften it , what a mess . I had to then repair the cake multiple times and cover it with foundant I had left from Course three.Any suggestions?[/center]

Welcome to cake central. It sounds like you are adding too much powdered sugar. Once you start kneading the dough, only add enough sugar so the dough isn't sticky. If you add all the sugar listed in the recipe, it will be too dry.

You could try spreading it out and sprinkling a few drops of water over the mass and knead it some more.

There's a thread around here somewhere that was very helpful to me the first time I made MMF. She gave very detailed instructions on how she did it, and I followed those instructions and my MMF came out perfect. I will try to post this link for the thread:

Perfect MMF.. the easy and no mess way!

If it doesn't work, that's the name of the thread.

did you try microwaving it slightly before use?

I agree with the too much powedered sugar, my recipe calls for 8 cups but I found if I only use 7 it comes out perfect each time.

Try the recipe here on CC (sorry, can't remember who posted it) - for the alternative marshmallow fondant recipe -- it has some crisco in it. It works perfect (though you do have to let it rest overnite like recipe says).

Try this post, I just made some for the first time yesterday and it worked very well for me. It only dried out when I left it out for too long. I did have to microwave for 10-15 seconds before it was pliable for use. HTH
http://forum.cakecentral.com/need-help-with-easy-mmf-ftopicp-4876303.html#4876303

I add a tablespoon of glycerine to the melted marshmallows and it comes out beautifully every time!

I agree with the shortening addition and the microwave for a few seconds. It helps with softening it up.

Thank Thank I'm still experimenting but finding less sugar to be better. Thank for repling to my problems .

It really does take time just working with it to get to know it. It is a medium all it's own, even in the fondant world. Here's what I do and it takes about 10 minutes start to finish:

* Sift entire bag of powdered sugar into a LARGE bowl, make a well.
* Melt 1 bag of mini marshmallows with 2-4 Tbsp water in separate greased bowl for 2 minutes.
* Remove and stir in 1/2tsp salt, 2tsp flavor, 2Tbsp light corn syrup and any color you want. Stir, stir, stir. I believe that most of the air bubbles in mmf is caused by the original air from the marshmallow.
* Sprinkle in 2 cups of the ps from the bowl, 1/2 cup at a time and stirring after each. This thickens up the melted marshmallows enough that I then pour it into the bowl with sifted PS in it. I stir - actually knead the mass with my spoon. I scoop under it and fold it on top of itself, quarter turn of the bowl and do the same.
* Once it appears to no longer absorbs any more ps, I take it out of the bowl and onto a greased surface. I knead the remaining sugar left on it with greased hand, adding shortening to my hands as I go. Once it becomes smooth and pliable, I give it one more good coating of shortening and wrap, wrap, wrap!

The first time I made it, I think I made the mistake of using it as soon as I made it. It really needs to rest over night, or at least several hours.

Here's a site I used. It was easy & there are a lot of tips. I love that there's a smaller recipe on it too!

http://www.wilton.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=7&threadid=77236