Fondant Or Gumpaste?

Decorating By Sandralee903 Updated 24 Apr 2007 , 2:16pm by elvis

Sandralee903 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Sandralee903 Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 1:09pm
post #1 of 12

I made a WASC cake (best cake recipe ever!!) over the weekend with raspberry buttercream and covered in chocolate ganache. I had fondant daisies and leaves on the top which turned gummy by the next day. When do you use fondant for flowers vs gumpaste (I've never used gumpaste before).

I have a wedding shower cake to make next month and I had planned on using fondant (roses and calla lilies) and royal icing flowers. Would gumpaste flowers hold up better and not turn into a gummy tasting blob?

Thanks.
Sandra

11 replies
berryblondeboys Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
berryblondeboys Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 1:17pm
post #2 of 12

I don't use either, but you're not supposed to eat gumpaste right? for decoration only?

Melissa

fooby Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
fooby Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 1:18pm
post #3 of 12

I don't think you're suppose to eat gumpaste... ewww!! icon_lol.gif

berryblondeboys Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
berryblondeboys Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 1:22pm
post #4 of 12

I went to a site and it said that you "can" eat gum paste, but most people don't because it dries too hard. Plus, I don't know how it tastes either. It's mostly sugar, but it has other ingredients that could taste icky.

But then, most people wouldn't be eating the fondant decorations either.

Melissa

itsasweetthing Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
itsasweetthing Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 1:29pm
post #5 of 12

What kind of cake is that? Wasc ?
Gumpaste & fondant are both totally edible.
Not sure about putting them on ganache though. Fine to go on fondant or buttercream covered cakes at any time.

carrielynnfields Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
carrielynnfields Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 1:31pm
post #6 of 12

are you still using the ganache as the frosting? If so I would probably use gumpaste or just wait to place the flowers until you arrive at the party. Gumpaste is really not fantastic tasting but they are normally so hard that people won't eat them anyway. (though they are edible) I think waiting to put fondant flowers on til right before is a great bet just cuz you know fondant flowers, you are familiar and it would be less nerve wracking that way. JMHO.

Good luck!

Omicake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Omicake Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 1:33pm
post #7 of 12

Gumpaste is what you are supposed to use for flowers that will last looking good. That is the real issue, is it not?
About being edible, they are, but they are used as decorations only, not for eating, as their taste isn't to palatable.

ps3884 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ps3884 Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 1:36pm
post #8 of 12

Satin Ice makes gumpaste that tastes like their fondant. But, like others mentioned, gumpaste dries hard so it is not usually eaten.

ladysonja Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ladysonja Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 1:55pm
post #9 of 12

Did you put the flowers in the fridgerator after decorating? Fondant will melt if you do.

I have been playing with a 30/70 sometimes a 50/50 mix of gumpaste and fondant to make flowers and 3D figures.

Gumpaste alone dries really quick depending on the size of your flowers. You'll want to make them a couple of days to a week in advance to make sure they dry completely. Gumpaste dries rock hard, but can be fragile if your flowers are delicate and are not careful in storing them. The thing I have found out about playing with gumpaste is that after they dry out my flowers are very dull in appearance.

Fondant/Gumpaste mixtures take a little longer to dry depending on the combo, but tend to dry with a little better shine... not much, but it depends on your taste. I personlly like the F/G mixture for my flowers.

I have read in Cake books that you need to put them on the cake on site or the day of the event and do not put them in the refigerator but in an air tight container. They will last forever!

Hope this helps...

Sandralee903 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Sandralee903 Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 2:03pm
post #10 of 12

Oh boy...I guess I wasn't too clear in my posting. Sorry! I wasn't wanting to eat the gumpaste or the fondant, I just happened to eat one of the tiny dasies along with the cake and it was awful.

So I am worried that if I make the calla lilies and roses in fondant for the shower cake (frosted in buttercream) they will loose their shape by becoming gummy, whereas the daisies were flat and that wasn't a problem.

Thanks all for your responses! Fondant is so easy to use, but I'll give gumpaste a try. Thank heavens I have a month before the shower. I'm so new at this!

Itsasweetthing: WASC is a white almond sour cream cake. It's the best! I tried the "freezing while still warm" method and the texture was amazing...not to mention the taste! It's in the recipes section.

Sandralee903 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Sandralee903 Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 2:09pm
post #11 of 12

Thanks Sonja! Yes that does help. So okay, I'll try the 50/50 mix and definitely keep it out of the fridge.

elvis Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
elvis Posted 24 Apr 2007 , 2:16pm
post #12 of 12

I prefer gumpaste decorations for my flowers and "cake toppers" unless I'm pressing them flat against the sides of the cake, then I use fondant.

I agree with the others who say not to refrigerate your gumpaste decorations if you can help it. I've done it before with no problems....but its not a 100% guarantee that they'll be okay. Something to do with the amount of humidity in your fridge. Good luck!!

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%