Gumpaste Vs. Fondant Decorations?
Decorating By alisoncooks Updated 6 Aug 2007 , 4:33pm by frostedbliss
I was wondering: what determines when to use fondant or gumpaste to make decorations (things like flowers on sticks or ribbons/bows, etc). Is there specific times where I would use one and not the other. I know I can add gumtex to the fondant to make it stiffen up more? Just wondering if there was a "right way".
Sorry can't help much with this. I am a newbie..I just started the class and can't wait to read the responses.
Gumpaste dries harder, faster, and is stronger than fondant, even fondant with Tylose powder added to it. You can roll it must thinner than fondant so your flowers look more realistic and closer to nature. I would use fondant if the decorations are placed directly on the cake and meant to be eaten with the cake serving. I would use gumpaste for flowers, plaques and even bows and ribbons because it dries much faster. If you are modeling figures I would knead together fondant and gumpaste in 50/50 proportions, it gives you the smoothness of fondant but the faster drying time and strength of gumpaste.
If you try each of them out you will see the difference. Gumpaste doesn't have a very good taste/texture for eating but allows you to roll it very thin with out breaking/stretching. Fondant does not allow you to do that. That makes it heavy, so if you wanted to do a drape or swag it would be difficult-that's why you add the gum-tex-to allow you to roll it thinner and still maintain its integrety. Fondant does not dry as quickly or as hard as gumpaste or fondant mixed with gum-tex (or gum tragacanth or tylose or CMC-which all do the same job) If you want to model a figure, fondant won't dry quickly and hold its shape as well, while pure gumpaste doesnt' have as smooth a texture. A mix of the two is the best of both worlds for modeling figures. Hope this helps. I'm sure others have more to say. The best way for you to learn how to use each medium is to play around with them. Good Luck!
I was wondering the same thing. Thanks ShirleyW and alanahodgson!!!
This info. helps alot!
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