Do I Need To Support A Fondant/gumpaste Figure?

Decorating By springlakecake Updated 25 Feb 2007 , 1:33am by springlakecake

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springlakecake Posted 23 Feb 2007 , 8:56pm
post #1 of 10

I made some fondant/gumpaste teddy bears for a shower cake tomorrow. I was just sort of setting them up to see how they will look. When I took them off I noticed they were sort of "denting" the fondant. The fondant is fairly fresh on the cake but I was wondering do I need to support them at all? Like with a dowel or something? They are about 2 inches high. This cake is giving me such fits. If I wake up tomorrow and they are all sunk into the cake I will probably end up in a mental hospital. Thanks.

9 replies
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JoAnnB Posted 23 Feb 2007 , 9:02pm
post #2 of 10

If they are heavy, a small dowel might be in order. OR wait until the cake is delivered to add the figures. then, a small dent won't matter.

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ShirleyW Posted 23 Feb 2007 , 9:04pm
post #3 of 10

I would use a bamboo kabob stick or a Wilton sucker stick and push it up from the bottom of the bear to support it. I don't model with straight fondant because I find it too soft, I use a 50/50 mixture of fondant and gumpaste. With straight fondant you can knead in Tylose powder to help it hold it's shape and set a bit firmer.

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springlakecake Posted 23 Feb 2007 , 9:13pm
post #4 of 10

Yes they are made 50/50 fondant and gumpaste and I just dont know if they are heavy or not since I havent made them before. So mabye I could use a little stick or dowel of some kind down to the cake board? They might be too hard now to stick them INTO the figures but maybe I could just slather a little icing down to get them to stay. THANKS VERY MUCH

editing because I wasnt sure if I was clear or not! The fondant on the CAKE is what is getting dented not the figures.

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sweet_as_tisse Posted 23 Feb 2007 , 9:24pm
post #5 of 10

Hi merissa

Alot of the books i have always recommend that you let the fondant on the cake sit for 12 to 24 hours before you put any decorations and such on it, apparently it just gives the fondant time to harden up a little so it is less likely to get damaged with dints, marks etc..

hope this helps

kylie

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springlakecake Posted 23 Feb 2007 , 10:02pm
post #6 of 10

Okay thanks. I was thinking that the fondant was pretty fresh on the cake and that might contribute to a problem. i might just go ahead and dowel it just to be sure since I am really paranoid. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong with this cake if you know what I mean!!

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superstar Posted 24 Feb 2007 , 3:55am
post #7 of 10

I mainly use gum paste for making anything. I now sometimes use 1/2 fondant & 1/2 gum paste, especially since I latched on to the wonderful tip about adding extra hold fixodent powder to the fondant or gum paste. this really gets hard & was a wonderful tip. I can't remember who gave it to us, but whoever it was has my grateful thanks. Also a toothpick helps support small items.

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springlakecake Posted 24 Feb 2007 , 12:42pm
post #8 of 10

So I ended up not doweling it. Once my fondant set for awhile it seemed a lot firmer. It is still fine this morning, thankfully!

I had heard that tip about the fixodent...how much into fondant? Is it a paste?

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cindycakes2 Posted 24 Feb 2007 , 12:50pm
post #9 of 10

I just make a baby shower cake and ha 50/50 mix jungle animals on it and had the same problem! I made my figures over the past few weeks, so they were completely dry, but I did put them on the fondant a couple hours after I covered the cake. At least now I will know to wait a day to put figures on in the future....thanks for asking this question!

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springlakecake Posted 25 Feb 2007 , 1:33am
post #10 of 10

Here is a picture of my cake...I didnt dowel it like I said but the fondant had firmed up and it was fine. Thanks everyone for you help!


http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&meta=allby&uname=merissa&cat=0&pos=0

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