what is the difference between fondant and gum paste and when is the best time to use them?

Hi there, Fondant can be used to cover the cakes and do the accents on a cake such as bows ribbons etc. But when the fondant dries, it doesn't dry hard enough like Gumpaste. We use gumpaste to make again bows, ribbons, the figures and flowers. It has a strechy texture. It gives you more time to play with it and get the end result you want.

You can buy the premade gumpaste or you can add 1/2 teaspoon of CMC/tylose powder to 250g fondant. Here is a video from our fellow member aine2 on how to make the gumpaste.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kQtehRE7VQw

The other thing that some members do is that they add 50/50 store bought fondant and gumpaste.

HTH.