This is so unbelievably frustrating.

Every batch of gumpaste I make has tiny holes throughout the entrie batch.

So when I try to roll it and then drape it over something (i.e. a cake pan to make a standing "lid" for a box cake) all the little holes start to stretch and create tears, or cracks, or bigger holes.

I've tried making it with both powdered egg white mixed with water, and plain old everyday egg whites. Both batches have the same results.

I use the Nicholas Lodge recipe, which is also posted on here.

Any ideas?

Have you tried kneading in a bit of shortening and then working with the paste until it gets soft and stretchy, like bubble gum that's been chewed a bit?

That's the recipe that I use, and when it's rested overnight, it's dry and crumbly until you knead in that tiny bit of shortening.

Ditto TexasRose - just knead it a bit first. I don't have the dry and crumbly problem, but this sugarpaste basically starts out as royal icing which is fluffy, so for me, a fresh batch of sugarpaste is usually kind of "airy". I still love it though!

Thanks! I'll try it.