Gum Paste Question - Please Help!
Decorating By candycakes51 Updated 15 Apr 2007 , 6:57pm by ShirleyW
I just discoverd this site...what a gold mine!!
I am trying gum paste for the first time...made a tea cup shaped 3 layer cake and now need to make handle. Cake is iced with Pastry Pride frozen non dairy whipped cream icing. I have 3 days until cake is due for a charity event. I keep reading that gum paste will melt if put on bc icing or if it is frozen. (Cake is done and in freezer). If I make the handle today and let it air dry how soon can I attach it to the cake? I am also worried about the weight because the handle will be a little heavy. Can I put a lollipop stick into the gum paste handle to help hold it on the cake? Also, how soon can I put the handle safely on the cake? I am worried about a last minute disaster or the handle falling off in transport. Wanted to keep cake in freezer until morning of event.
Once gumpaste is completely dry you would never have any melting problems. It dries hard! Given what you are making, I would make the handle asap with small plastic straws insterted in the handle and then let it dry. I'm suggesting plastic rather than the lollipop sticks since they could get soggy in the cake and flop there goes your handle! 
I would also wait to attach once you get to your event to prevent in enroute problems!
Welcome to CC! 
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thanks for the tip, I hadn't thought about the stick getting soft. I am really nervous about this, but am always anxious to try new things..wish me luck!!
Plastic straws work great. Also, plastic toothpicks/cocktail sticks work too if the handle isn't too big and heavy. I would put them into the handle while it is still soft. I would also suggest waiting until you get where your going to assemble the cake.
Where's the picture!!?
thanks for the tips, sorry about pic, I haven't yet ventured into the world of digital photography or online posting of pics...one challenge at a time!!
Good luck with it. Sounds like you are on the right track. good advice, will keep that in mind for next time.
Thanks to all for your help!!
I think some type of support under the cup would be a good idea. I use Pastry Pride quite a lot and gumpaste for the majority of my cakes. Setting the gumpaste cup directly onto Pastry Pride could cause a problem if it is allowed to set for several hours, but if it is only going to be for a short time I think it will be alright. I do think if the Pastry Pride were allowed to come to room temperature and the cup sat there for a long period of time it would absorb moisture and soften.
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