I am going to attempt to make some mmf animals for my sons birthday cake. We aren't having his party until the 16th, but I wanted to get started on making the animals. Do you all think it is too early to make them? Do any of you have any tips for me? I have good intentions, I just hope they turn out half way decent!
I do not yet do figures, but I have read often that the fondant should be mixed 50-50 with some gumpaste to make it sturdier.
Theresa 
It's not to early, those guys will need time to dry out so you can put them on the cake without damaging them. I add a little CMC or gum trag (you can also use tylose) to regular (homemade) fondant to make it better for modelling. Hope that helps!
You can start making them now with fondant. I did a jungle cake a few years ago and was amazed at how long it took to mold the animals. The fondant holds up well and you can take your time and not feel rushed at the last minute. The kids loved each getting their own animal to eat, so that's why I'd stick with the fondant only. Good luck (on your cake and baby!) and please post a picture of your cake. I love animal cakes!
Debbie Brown's books are great for characters and animals. She does a lot of 3D Fondant and Gumpaste work. If you do not have time to find her books, then here is the link to her website. Click on any book for pictures/inspiration.
http://www.debbiebrownscakes.co.uk/books.htm
Thanks so much for all of your info! I think I will try it with just the mmf so that the kids can each have their own animal! I have another question. For example when I do the cow, should I do it all in white and paint the black on or should I do them in fondant too? If it is easier to paint it on then how do I do that? I use the wilton gel colors, so I don't know if I just a that with a little water or what? Thanks for all of your help!
You could decorate your cow either way. For the bigger spots you could use the fondant, and for the smaller details, use the Wilton colors with a little bit of lemon extract. Another thing you could use is to the non-toxic markers for adding fine detail. Have fun!
I don't know about anyone else, but I had a bit of trouble with my MMF not being very sturdy when making figures. I made some babys out of it and they flattened a bit and got squatty as they were sitting. It could be because I used the recipe that uses the fluff instead of the marshmallows. Don't know, but that is the experience I had with MMF and modelling.
I don't know about anyone else, but I had a bit of trouble with my MMF not being very sturdy when making figures. I made some babys out of it and they flattened a bit and got squatty as they were sitting. It could be because I used the recipe that uses the fluff instead of the marshmallows. Don't know, but that is the experience I had with MMF and modelling.
You need to change the fondant into gumpaste by adding thickeners such as Tylose powder. It makes the fondant less palatable, but great for 3D work, flowers to modeling.
I don't know about anyone else, but I had a bit of trouble with my MMF not being very sturdy when making figures.
My own personal preference is not to use MMF for figures--I find it too soft even when mixing it with gum text or gumpaste. I use a 50/50 combo of fondant/gumpaste or straight gumpaste when making figures--a bit more sturdier and dires harder and faster.
I used the Wilton fondant when I made my animals and they held up well. But maybe there are some tricks to using the MMF. I've seen some really cute figures made with the MMF on this forum. Maybe there are some tricks to working with it that others could provide.
Okay, now I am getting a little nervous. Can some of you that have used mmf to make figures let me know what you do? I guess I will hold off on making them. I figured since they are going to have so long to dry that it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but maybe I am wrong? Please help!
I don't know about anyone else, but I had a bit of trouble with my MMF not being very sturdy when making figures. I made some babys out of it and they flattened a bit and got squatty as they were sitting. It could be because I used the recipe that uses the fluff instead of the marshmallows. Don't know, but that is the experience I had with MMF and modelling.
You need to change the fondant into gumpaste by adding thickeners such as Tylose powder. It makes the fondant less palatable, but great for 3D work, flowers to modeling.
Thanks so much for the tip! I'll have to try that with my next figure.
I am currently in the process of making a puppy out of mmf for my daughter's birthday cake. I haven't had any trouble with making it, except for today when one of the ears broke off. I figure it broke because I wasn't handling it as carefully as I should have and it was a fairly thin part of the ear. I plan on using some edible glue to glue it back on. I have found it fairly easy to use. The head has liked to drop down a little, so I made sure to get something to hold it up while it dried and that seemed to work well. Toothpicks seem to help a bit, too. Just make sure anyone wanting to eat it knows they are there.
[You need to change the fondant into gumpaste by adding thickeners such as Tylose powder. It makes the fondant less palatable, but great for 3D work, flowers to modeling.]
So does meringue powder work the same way or is that something totally different?
Hi,
Making fondant animals is soooo much fun! I attempted my first ones on a cake for a "Wild" movie birthday for my nephew. Ever since then I love to make fondant figures. Here is what I like to do.....
I practice making animals or figures with play-doh first so I can get a general idea. That way I don't waste the time on valuable fondant that gets hard or overworked. Since they don't eat the figures most of the time I use the Wilton or Satin Ice for the figures. It tends to be a little tougher and better forming. When I use my MMF it's a little more pliable and softer.
In regards to is it too early to make them??? Well, the figures I used for my sons 1st birthday Sesame Street cake.....I still have all 3 figures on my counter and they look just as good as when I first made them. Elmo is just missing part of his head, his legs and an arm due to my son eating them off.....LOL. I just can't bare to toss them.....the memories
You can take a look at my animals and cakes that I've posted. I am actually making a Mickey in a pool setting for a party this weekend.
Good Luck!
Michele
Use egg white to glue-absolute best! Use spaghetti for support. Lay, lean or sit your animal the way you want it to dry. It tends to flatten or sink so be aware how you want it to dry. You can use egg carton type of bubble wrap to counter act it. I also spray it with Pam. Use cotton balls, paper towels, napkins and sprayed wax paper to prop it. Remember, it has a backside just like your cake. I don't use anything else but Satin Ice or Pettinice. Straight fondant only. I have learned to work around its flattening features. I don't thicken it, add gumpaste or other things and I am happy with my creatures and flowers etc. I have also watch in horror someone picking up one of my modeled pieces and just plop it into their mouth. I don't think the gumpaste would have gone over very well. Anyway, good luck and remember to post your critter(s). 
Edited to add: whenever possible I use one piece of fondant paint on the color cuz when mixing different pieces or colors it tends to break more.
Thanks, the play doh is a good idea! I am going to go play some play doh with my kids! I guess it would just be best to use store bought fondant. I have some satin ice fondant, but was told that was good fondant so I didn't want to use it for the figures since they won't be eaten. But for now I am going to go play with some play doh! By the way Michele your cakes are beautiful and the wild cake was awesome! Thanks!
[You need to change the fondant into gumpaste by adding thickeners such as Tylose powder. It makes the fondant less palatable, but great for 3D work, flowers to modeling.]
So does meringue powder work the same way or is that something totally different?
No, meringue powder is dried egg whites and nothing more.
There are edible hardners/thickners you can buy at cake supply stores. Tylose is one of them and the best to use in my opinion. Google or look on the internet for a Gumpaste recipes. I have not checked, but CakeCentral might have one. I don't have access to my cake book at the moment or I would post mine. It is basically fondant, MMF or traditional Fondant, plus a little tylose which changes the MMF/Fondant into gumpaste which will change the constancy for better modeling work and harden it some after a few hours, so things stay in place, no drooping, etc. Fondant alone is ok for some shaping, but you really need gumpaste to do the kind of 3D animals you desire.
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