I have used the small letter tappits and while I find them frustrating, I can usually do them pretty good.
Just used the larger funky tappits the other day and they were HORRIBLE!!!! They're so cute but...the first time I tried, the thin fondant was too moist. So I let a swatch dry for a little while I did some other things and then came back to it. This time they tapped out okay but still the thin connecting parts (like the "N") would still break off...I ended up having to piece a few together because I had already invested wayyyy too much time trying to tap out the names, and it was not like the customer requested it..its just an extra touch I thought would be nice on the cake.
What should I do differently? I find the smaller tappits seem to hold their shape a bit better...
You must have your fondant rolled out thin, and dry a minute or two or no tappit will work.
Edna I'll have to check that...do you have a link?
I do roll the fondant pretty thin, and I do let it airdry some...and it works great for me for the smaller tappits but man these funky ones were HARD!!!! It seemed like the heavy rounded ends would come out but then weight down the thin connecting parts and break them.
Maybe I needed the fondant even thinner...
Here is the link
Is in between those videos. Is called Gumpaste lettering.
Works great with a celboard. Best thing I ever bought!
http://designmeacake.com/id41.html
Edna
I have used the small letter tappits and while I find them frustrating, I can usually do them pretty good.
Just used the larger funky tappits the other day and they were HORRIBLE!!!! They're so cute but...the first time I tried, the thin fondant was too moist. So I let a swatch dry for a little while I did some other things and then came back to it. This time they tapped out okay but still the thin connecting parts (like the "N") would still break off...I ended up having to piece a few together because I had already invested wayyyy too much time trying to tap out the names, and it was not like the customer requested it..its just an extra touch I thought would be nice on the cake.
What should I do differently? I find the smaller tappits seem to hold their shape a bit better...
Take a look at this......
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-6725157-.html#6725157
It will help.... I promise!!
Thanks!!!! I guess I'm not dusting everything enough. I just don't want dusty letters, but I guess that can be removed later.
yeah.... use clear spirits to remove dust.... others say they do it with shortening... haven't tried but you can see what works best for you.... after I dust mine... they looked nice and black with no redisue of powdered sugar at all
That's why, then....everything else I was doing fine...using silicone mat...rolling fairly thin...letting sit out for several minutes to dry.... but I was not dusting the top of the fondant, or the cutter.
Love this site!
When you are working with the funky tappits, can you check the Capital D please -- that's the only one I cannot get to cut on the inside (I think it's a defect because that part of the cutter is smaller than the outer edge cutter.) I just want to confirm mine is defective. Thanks!
What I dont like about using cornstarch is that for darker colors it makes the gumpaste too dusty. I prefer using vegetable shortening. But like everything is a matter of preferences.
Edna
Hey I saw someone suggested using cling wrap over your rolled gum paste and then push the tappit down over that. I haven't tried it yet, but I plan on it.
Hey I saw someone suggested using cling wrap over your rolled gum paste and then push the tappit down over that. I haven't tried it yet, but I plan on it.
Interesting...
Hey I saw someone suggested using cling wrap over your rolled gum paste and then push the tappit down over that. I haven't tried it yet, but I plan on it.
Interesting...
hummmmm??/ Very INTERESTING! gonna try it first thing tmo..... that might work....
Nic does his with that crisco method...I think it's much easier than banging them
Jen
good morning, I've just purchased the funky tappit set & as suggested I've watched Edna's youtube video, however I only make a handful of cakes a year as I only make them for my closest family members. I've looked into purchasing a celboard as suggested by edna however they are really expensive where I live. Has anyone else used a different surface with success?
If so can you please ley me know ;o)
TIA
I used the Funky letters last week and got pretty frustrated too. At first I thought my gumpaste was too thin because they just wouldn't come out without breaking. When I rolled it thicker, it left marks that I didn't like. Finally, I read the instructions that came with the set and it suggested pushing them from the front or releasing them from the back. I ended up rolling it thin, letting it dry just a little bit and then pressed them in and immediately pushed from the front when I could and used a sharp cocktail stick (toothpick) to release the corners and they fell out nicely without having to rap them on the counter. For other sets, I've always tapped them out on my Corian countertop and they worked great but these just did not work the same way for me.
I recently tried the method mentioned earlier about putting a piece of plastic wrap over it and it works GREAT! It was so easy I thought I was dreaming. I put the piece of gumpaste on my silicone mat, place a piece of plastic wrap over it, press the tappit down really well. Then remove the tappit and the plastic wrap and simply peel the excess gumpaste from around your letter and leave there until it's dried enough to handle. Perfect! I don't know who came up with this method originally, but he/she is a genius!!!
My tappit set is still in the mail... I think I will try the plastic wrap method hopefully it works ;o)
The plastic wrap sounds like a winner to me. I have tried every thing else with no luck. If they do come out, they are always distorted.
I used my funky tappits for the first time last night. I was expecting lots of trouble but it was so easy!!! Dust your surface (I did it right on my counter) with cornstarch and roll your fondant / gumpaste really thin. I think the secret is to let your piece dry a little before cutting. After I cut them I turned it over and rubbed the back with the edge of a dowel to make sure it was cut all the way through. Then just tap it out on the edge of the counter. I didn't end up with dusty letters but I guess if you do you could brush with a little vodka. HTH.
I love mine!! I do have problems with the capital D though, I think it's a defect in the cast. Other than that I love my tappits!
I love mine!! I do have problems with the capital D though, I think it's a defect in the cast. Other than that I love my tappits!
Try rubbing the back of it with a dowel or something to make sure the entire thing cuts. HTH
I do. The inside cut is not as deep as the outside cut. It's the only letter I have troubles with (which is why I think it's a defect.) Usually I have difficulties with letters with intricate pieces, not something like the capital D. Oh well. I'm not trading in my tappits, no sir!
I bought the funky letter Tappits the other day and would like to try them out this weekend. I only make cakes for friends and family so I don't make that many. I want to use gumpaste. Can you buy gumpaste? Or is there a recipe where you only make a small batch?
Thanks. ☼
jovigirl - did you get your tappits? have you tried them out yet? I hope everything went well.
Yes, you can buy gumpaste at HobbyLobby or Michael's; fairly cheap, especially if you have a coupon. I mix mine 50/50 with fondant. Have fun!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%