Hello, just getting into the cake world. Great site. Two questions to start off my first visit here.
My buttercream won't pipe crisp edges. I think it's because of air due to having only a hand mixer.(KA coming for christmas). Does that sound possible?
And....my fondant was sticky and extremely stretchy. Possibly too warm? I used both fondarific and MMF
Thanks
Dave

Hi,

I'm sorry I have no answers for you -- I'm sure someone else will, though. This site is full of so many helpful, generous, talented people.

I just wanted to welcome you!!!

Julie

Maybe the edges of the tips aren't sharp enough? I'm just speculating on that one. Add more powdered sugar to the mmf and knead with well greased hands.

Welcome to CC!
Warm climates or humidity can make your fondant soft and your buttercream soft too, so a little cornstarch or ps to your fondant and stiffening up your buttercream should do the trick. Hope this helps!

If you have warm hands, and this is not helping, I find keeping an icepack on the counter, to cool your hands periodically will also help.

You can try adding some piping gel to it. Sometimes that will help smooth it out.

Good Luck

Hi and Welcome to CC, Dave,

Your buttercream might be too thin...

Here's a super thread that has popular CC recipes for crusting American buttercreams, several types of fondant and doctored cake mix (WASC and other flavor variations) - and so much more!

Everything you need to know to make, decorate and assemble tiered stacked/layer cakes:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-605188-.html

HTH

Add more sugar to the icing, sounds like it's not stiff enough.

Humidity might be your fondant issues? MM fondant can be tempermental.

Welcome to CC!

Jen

Welcome to CC.

Use the links in my signature to find great recipies and tutorials.