I have a wonderfully detailed Snowflake mold that I was instructed to use gumpaste for. I am having a heck of a time with this stuff! I have always been a fondant or chocolate mold girl so granted gumpaste is new to me.
I used a gumpaste mix and it was horribly sticky and wet so I let it sit overnight (wrapped in lightly greased cling wrap) as the package said. The next day it seemed OK and I attempted to begin on my snowflakes. But alas, no luck! I couldn't get the darn things out of the mold. Either the pieces broke or seemed glued/stuck to the mold. 
Would premade gumpaste better? Should I have coated the mold with something before hand? Should I give up and opt for white chocolate?
I need at least 200 of these little things by next weekend so I need to get moving on this.
Thanks so much in advance!
When I work with gumpaste, I coat my hands in a light layer of Crisco. I haven't worked with a gumpaste mold, but I have used veiners with it before. I just rub a tiny bit of crisco into the mold to help the gumpaste release. I've never used gumpaste in a mold before, so I don't know if I will be able to help. But any good idea that works is help, right?
That being said, what type of mold are you using? Is is plastic? Stoneware? Metal? I would think that maybe if you dusted it with a little cornstarch first, this might help. Whenever I've worked with gumpaste (and I've used both premixed and made my own), I've generally tried to dust an area with cornstarch to prevent it from sticking.
I would also check your directions for the mold. You say you were "instructed to use gumpaste for" this mold. If that was a person, maybe you can get more info from them? Or perhaps the instructions were written and there is something else in there that might assist?
I wish I had more constructive tips to lend, but this is all I can think of off the top of my head right now. But since you need the assistance so quickly, I thought I'd try to get you a jumpstart on things. And then, if by the end of the weekend it doesn't work, I'd suggest going to another medium: chocolate, fondant, or maybe even royal icing would work.
I hope this is somewhat helpful to you. Good luck with your dilemma and post some photos after you're finished so we can cheer and pat you on the back and tell you what a great job you did after such an auspicious start!
Happy Baking,
Odessa
Wow with so many of them that you need to do, chocolate may be faster. With gumpaste molds, I've had some trouble too. I don't know if it was the fondant/gumpaste I was using or just me. I've read to spray it lightly with PAM and then wipe it out. I've also heard about sprinkling the mold with powdered sugar or cornstarch. And I've finally heard about making a ball of fondant/gumpaste and trying to use it to attach to the molded figure and pull it out. You could also try prying it out with a small knife or other tool and then just try to hand-mold that area that you "damaged" wit the knife or other tool.
Good luck. I think the molds are awesome but a little difficult. If you can push the fondant/gumpaste out, that would be great. Or you could try to let it dry a little bit in the mold and then "pop" it out like you would chocolates - by turning it over and tapping it on your table. I'm not sure if that would work - but it's an idea..... let me know if it does!
Oh finally - if you don't want people to eat them, I had a much easier time using Wilton fondant for this type of thing. Sure it's not the tastiest stuff out there, but it is a good medium to work with for sculpting and things of that nature.
Shortening in the mold does help and making a stiffer gumpaste might help. Since you are in a hurry, I suggest going back to chocolate. You can spray some luster dust on them.
I've made large snowflakes before, tried the gumpaste and had to resort to chocolate. It was much faster and it was easier to clean up the edges. The I sprayed them with pearl dust. The customer was very pleased.
Good luck.
Michele
Thanks SO much you guys!
Now I have lots more options! I feel somewhat better. I am terrified of this cake to begin with so having technical difficulties doesn't help!
you make a sachet with a piece of handi wipe..you place 50/50 mix in
corn starch and powdered sugar...is it a sitff mold or a fexible mold??
Fill a clean,new kneehigh with cornstarch and lightly dust your molds. Tap out the excess powder as this might clog some of the smaller detailed areas.
Knead a small amount of gumpaste before putting it into the mold. You can add a tad of cornstarch if this ball feels too sticky.
Press your gumpaste into the mold and trim. Place in the freezer for a small bit of time to set up the gumpaste.
I take my finger and dust the bottom of the piece before removing from the mold. Bringing it from the freezer can create moisture on the piece. Dusting the bottom keeps it from sticking to whatever you place it on to dry.
Remove the piece, from the mold and let dry.
All this advise was great but the first mistake was where you said it was sticky... That shows it was too wet. when that happens knead some powdered sugar into it.. gumpast should never be sticky.
you are so right. that sort of got away from me...even though I was like..."STICKY??" lol
What was the recipe that you used??
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