How in the world can I smooth out those cracks? It looks like a 1st grader's handiwork.

Its my first attempt....just thought I'd try something different. This is just for practice. There'll be a dress on the hippo, so I'm not really too concerned with the torso.

How do you get that perfect finish?

I've never had any luck with mmf. I've tried it and it always seemed too dry and cracked. Could it be too dry? Add shortening maybe it'll help. I've also never had much luck smoothing cracks after I've put the fondant onto the cake. I end up covering them. All my issues ended when I bought pre-made fondant.

For next time, I've heard it goes a lot better when you use modeling chocolate. Or at least, 50% modeling chocolate, 50% fondant.

http://sugarsweetcakesandtreats.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-make-modeling-chocolate.html

http://sugarsweetcakesandtreats.blogspot.com/2011/05/kai-lan-and-thomas-cake-toppers.html

http://sugarsweetcakesandtreats.blogspot.com/2011/06/justice-for-girls-monkey-themed-cake.html

I use MMF to cover cakes without any issues but I don't use it to model figures unless they're simple figures and than I mix it 50/50 with gumpaste.

It's just too soft to model figures with on it's own, which is why you're getting wrinkles. It doesn't hold it's shape very well.

I would mix the MMF with some gp or modeling chocolate and make the dress out of that.

Awesome!! Thanks