When I apply fondant, it appears to dry out and forms a skin, like an elephant skin, with little cracks, like dry earth, by the time I've smoothed it onto the cake. This happens even though I use a minimum of cornflour to dust the surface, and smooth it as fast as I can. I have tried rubbing my hands with glycerin and kneading a bit into the fondant, but doesn't seem to help.
Looking at the pics in the galleries, I've not seen any other cakes with this problem. Everyone on cake central must have it down pat, except me!
Should I use more glycerin? Do I need to knead the fondant a lot longer?

I've never used glycerin. Not sure what's it's for. I've only used crisco and corn starch.
Do you mean the mmf gets like a 'cracky" look to it? That happens to me and what I do is lightly wet my fingertips and rub the mmf where the crack is and it takes the crack away.. Not sure If that's the answer your looking for

b

I use crisco also. Actually I am down to just using the crisco (totally forgot about cornstarch..thanks bodaisy for putting that reminder out there). For the last couple of cakes that I have made I havn't used the cornstarch and my fondant has been nearly perfect ... no cracks, bumps, or tears....hey maybe I'm onto something..lol...

No seriously, what I do is grease my work area thoroughly (remember a little goes a looong way), I also grease up my hands and the rolling pin. Leave the Crisco nearby just in case you need a bit more. And also as Bodaisy stated if it cracks a bit just rub a bit of the crisco on to it and the crack will disappear.

Hope that helps...good luck.

I use a LOT of Crisco. I've never had any of the dryness issues. Love the way it handles and looks.

I use vinyl to apply my fondant..When your rolling it out the vinyl helps keep the fondant from drying out.. I've never had to use powdered sugar, cornstarch or crisco while using it. I've also used the vinyl for cakes as large as 16" round and 4" high and it works like a charm everytime. Keep experiementing until you find a technique that works for you.

Crisco here too - never had a problem. The finish is always beautiful on it.

Thank you all for your replies. I will try skipping the cornstarch and just use crisco then. I also have a piece of vinyl, so shall try that too. Today I have a 3 tier wedding cake to cover, so should get lots of practice! Bit of pressure to get it right, as it's going to be in the paper.