Has anyone else had problems with their MMF cracking? I find this happening (or is more pronounced) when the fondant is dyed a darker color, when rolled out, obvious hairline cracks are everywhere in the fondant. Sometimes it's so bad, I can hardly kneed it without it crumbling (and believe me, I've added TONS of water)..

Help?!

Kelly

dark colors like deep reds and blues are really hard to get. Sometimes it helps if you color the marshmallows some before putting in the microwave, starting with pink marshmallows if you can find them or buying the red or blue candy melts and using modeling chocolate instead. Or just buy colored fondant (I HATE doing that!)

Glad to know I'm not the only one with this problem! I'll try buying the colored marshmallows.  I've never made modeling chocolate before, but it's worth trying! Have you ever made fondant w/ glycerine?

nope...just PS, water and marshmallows. Sometimes tylose powder to stiffen it. Plus since I use the Wiltons or Merkens candy melts it is not technically modeling "chocolate" but it's much easier than real chocolate. Merkens has the dark blue, Wilton doesn't. 

If it's crumbly, it's too dry. Don't add more water, you only need a few teaspoons of water to help with the melting of the mm. You need to add crisco. Depending on the weather, anywhere from 1/4 c to 1/2 c. It'll give it some stretch and keep it from cracking so easily. For red, black, brown and dark blue, I always color the base color with candy melts. MMF shouldn't be too dry, it should feel like soft play-doh and needs to rest overnight before you roll it out. I have a tutorial on my blog. If you're interested, pm me and I'll send you the link. 

hth

wow...I have never added crisco. Do you do that as you are making it or when you see it has become dry? I have thrown away many a batch

I grease my bowl that I melt my mm in with 1/4 c crisco, pour in the mm, sprinkle w water and microwave until the mm are melted. Then, after I knead in my ps, I coat the mmf in a thick layer of crisco, wrap twice with plastic wrap and let sit overnight (at least--if I've added coloring, I like to give it more than 24 hours for the color to develop) on the counter top. When I knead it before I roll it out, if it feels dry, I add in some more until it is nice and pliable. I just go on feel, but I've never had to throw a batch away! 

Good to know! Thanks.

I have been having problems with my fondant sticking in my molds even if I heavily dust with corn starch. I'm making the bushel of crabs cake right now and my fondant is sticking...well this time I didn't really let it sit long enough...but lately even when I do it sticks. Must be humidity

I did just see a video about putting it in the fridge. Don't have any gumpaste on hand...I just usually add tylose for figures. Gonna give it a try tomorrow with the freezer. Hope it doesnt take too long! I have about 8-10 large crabs one 1 mold...I have a small mold too so I will throw some of those in too.