I am making fifty mini cakes this weekend and am making a sugar flower to go on top of each one. Ive been using Satin Ice gumpaste ( which i LOVE) but knew i didnt have enough so i bought some the wilton premade stuff....just as i thought it would be...its complete crap. not "ruffling" right and cracking and just yuck! now i dont have time to order more Satin Ice....HELP!!

The key with wilton gumpaste is to knead it really well and to be very sparing with the use of shortening. (a little on your hands and rolling surface is fine but you don't want to knead a bunch of extra shortening into it or it will lose elasticity.)

It often helps to mix it 50/50 with fondant. It will still dry nicely for flowers that way and it helps maintain your ability to work with it a bit longer. If you like you can go 25% fondant 75% gumpaste but I find the 50/50 ratio works really well.

The wilton gp isn't so bad. I much prefer it to Satin Ice but I make my own using Nicholas Lodge's recipe. Wilton's is actually a variation of Nicholas Lodge's recipe. They consulted him but had to change up the recipe for shelf life.

You can add in some egg white. Knead it in then roll your gumpaste into a tight ball in between the palms of your cupped hands. Roll it fast and hard like you are trying to start a fire and smushing it at the same time. With the added egg white the cracks will disappear. Adding shortening will only make it worse like the other post said.

And keep it in double zip lock bags. Even while working with it. None of this under a glass stuff.

Hope this helps! Mixing it with fondant will give you a longer working time too with the same hardened end result.

Thanks! Ill try mixing with fondant

CakeDiosa I am completely in love with your Turtle Baby Shower Cake! ADORABLE!!! Would you mind sharing your gp recipe? Id really appreciate it! [email protected]

I too am a huge fan of Nic Lodge's recipe! You can find it at www.nicholaslodge.com/gupaste! HTH