I have used fondant several times for accent pieces, for some reason I have trouble with it everytime. It does fine until I start to shape it or whatever. Last night I used cornstarch and it seemed to be working out much better, but then I started to form the balls for the border and when I would roll them they would start to crumble and also the loops for my bow started to crack! At midnight...I have to say I was rather aggrivated!!!Any ideas as to what happend? Was it the cornstarch that dried it out so quickly? Thanks you!!!
It sound like you need to be using gumpaste for your accents rather than straight fondant. Fondant is usually too soft, especially for bows, and can be difficult to handle.
The cornstarch did cause your fondant to later crumble. Corn starch absorbs moisture, so it sucked out most of the moisture in your fondant. You might be able to reconsistute it with a small amount of glycerin. This would just be fix if you are in a hurry and can't get a fresh batch before your cake is needed.
To make gumpaste, take about 1 cup of fondant knead into it about 1 Tbsp. of Tylose or gum tragacanth. Tylose is less expensive and easier to get. The amount of Tylose you use will vary with the temperature of your hands, the humidity of your location, and how stiff you like your gumpaste. I like mine fairly stiff. It dries quickly, so has to be handled quickly. I also have very warm hands and soft gumpaste melts in my hands.
HTH and good luck with your cake.
Michele
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