I'm working on a Noah's ark cake w/ fondant animals. I haven't done alot of modeling, so this is my first real cake w/ figures. My problem is I can't get a good ball to start with! They always have these cracks that won't close up. It'll look nice and smooth, except you can see hairlines that when you squeeze the ball they just open up, like a mouth. But I don't want a mouth there! Sigh. Anyone can help?
Im not sure how much I can help as I do not do fondant figures but have you tried adding just a little crisco maybe the fondant is too dry?
Personally I would use a little crisco(like pp mentioned) and warm it a bit in the microwave. It gives it more flexiblity, and I have more time to work with it before the outside starts to harden and crack. Jen
Crisco isn't doing it, it just gets slimy and stretchy, but still won't stick together. I ended up adding a little more flavoring, so a couple drops more liquid and worked that in. It helped a bit. Still some cracks but better, at least workable. It must have gotten to dry from sitting for a week or two.
Sometimes you just have to try a new piece of fondant. If you have been working with the same piece for a long time, I think it can get over worked. I don't have as much of a problem with the cracks as I did when I first started modeling. Just keep practicing and you will soon get a feel for what you need to do to get the ball smooth.
If you are putting too much pressure when rolling the ball between your hands sometimes that will cause it to push down and get cracks. I think it does sometimes help to put a little Crisco on your hands, but use is sparingly. Too much Crisco will make your fondant too soft. This past weekend I was modeling a boy to put on top of a Graduation cake. I use mostly Satin Ice. I felt like the fondant was too soft. I kneaded in just a little Gum Tex and it gave the fonant a nice texture and worked very easily.
Good luck. Hope this helps a little.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%