I have tried to do a fondant bow cake topper about 5 times now and I can never get it right. It always cracks and breaks when I put it together and it falls flat.

I roll the fondant out, cut into strips, make the loops, and set each one on its side to dry. Then when I start assembling it on the cake it starts to fall apart. I been trying different things, through trial and error, but I'm ready to give up.

My customers love the look of a edible bow cake topper and I really need to get this right. Any suggestions?

Are you using cornstarch or powdered sugar to roll out your fondant? Either way, too much will dry the fondant (especially cornstarch) and cause it to crack and to be brittle.

You might want to consider using full gumpaste or at least 1/2 gumpaste and 1/2 fondant. The 1/2 & 1/2 will give a little more working time and still have some strength to hold up to assembly.

Rolling to thinly will make the loops very fragile, while too thick will cause them to droop and take very long time to dry.

The type of fondant you are using can be a factor as well. Some fondants have less stretch to them and will not work well for bows. If you are using MMF, then I have no idea about that. I've never used it. Sorry.

Michele

have you tried drying it on your cake? The cakes I have done with bow toppers is to use all gumpaste then just put on top of the cake to dry, stuffing the loops with tissue paper to hold them up. They dry pretty fast, so I just pull the tissue out and dont have to worry about transfering the bows.

How long are you letting the loops dry? What type/brand of fondant are you using?

Have you seen franjmc's article on her bow. I am assuming you are making the multiple bow but you could get some tips heres the article:

http://www.cakecentral.com/article103-How-To-Make-a-Gumpaste-Bow.html

I like using the crumbled up plastic wrap between the loops to get them to dry. I do the 1/2 fondant and 1/2 gumpaste trick too. I use a large piece of foam to let them dry on before transferring.

Adding to everyone helping ideas..I just say..Bows need to be done fast.. If the one you are doing is just a 2 loop bow and you plan to put it in the cake before it dries I say decorate your cake and the make your bow and fill the 2 loops so they hold their shape.
If you are doing a loopy bow with lots of loops, it needs to be let dried a few days before even trying to be put on top of the cake.
I have use both fondant and gumpaste. But I add tylose to the fondant if I use it.
Hope this helps!
Edna

This post is too coincidental!!!
I just made BOTH of these mistakes yesterday: rolling on corn starch and rolling too thin! (I was going for a nice delicate look)⦠Needless to say my very first loopy bow was a disaster⦠Plus, my fondant was marbled, and that caused some more cracking and breaking⦠And I guess overnight, more like 16 hours, was the mistake #3 - not enough drying time for the heavily cornstarched Choco-pan, as the loops that didnât crack, flopped⦠I stuffed a bunch of rolled paper towel pieces inside the loops in an attempt to take it to work in a semi-presentable state as it was a surprise for a co-worker, but luck was not on my side⦠She was stilled trilled nonetheless... Just uploaded it to my pics... Will definitely try the bow again though, thanks everyone for posting your expert tips!!!

I'm glad i caught this post! I will be making a cake for a bridal shower (first cake outside of family) and there will be at least one or two bows. I thought this was an easy one... i had no idea it could be that difficult!

I have been using just fondant to make the bows, so I will definately try mixing it with gumpaste. I may be using too much cornstarch too. I will try all your tips and hopefully my next bow cake topper will be beautiful I really appreciate the advice. I found this website a couple weeks ago and it has helped me out tremendously.