Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › Cake Decorating › best alphabet cutters for gumpaste?? not a fan of tappits
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

best alphabet cutters for gumpaste?? not a fan of tappits

post #1 of 18
3/14/11 at 11:14pm
Thread Starter 
What kind of cutters do you use for your letters on a cake? I have tappits but they can be a pain and I'm looking for different fonts and larger sizes. Which are the best?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 18
3/15/11 at 12:42am
Try Windsor Clickstix. They're ejector alphabet cutters which are VERY easy to use. There have been a few threads on them which should pop up if you do a search on here. Tappits are worth persevering with though - most people find them a pain until they get the hang of them.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 18
3/15/11 at 2:40am
I was just going to say the same thing.

Ditto what Coral said. thumbs_up.gif
http://jessdesserts.blogspot.com/
Reply
http://jessdesserts.blogspot.com/
Reply
post #4 of 18
3/15/11 at 3:11am
Can you guys share the secret to making tappits easier? I have to agree with mommie917 - they are a pain! I can never get the letters out of the cutters in one piece and without being all stretched out or marked up by whatever I have to use to push them out. Thank you!
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 18
3/15/11 at 3:19am
Ditto Dani! I would also love to know the secret(s)!
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 18
3/15/11 at 3:58am
I learned by watching a tutorial Aine2 posted.

You have to make sure the gumpaste is rolled very thin. ( i found either gumpaste or 50/50 fondant mix works better then just fondant, or even MMF) After I press down, I turn the tappit over and score the outline of the letter. This not only makes a clean outline, but IMO makes it easier to come out. Make sure you dust the surface generously and then use the tappits exactly like it sounds....and tap it. Literally Bend it up in your hand and let it slam on the counter. Hopefully it will work the first time, if not just tap it again.
They really are a PITA in the beginning, so be patient and give it a few tries.
If you get too frustrated, invest in Clickstix ( sp?) I got them as a gift and not only is the font really cute and funky they're very easy to use. You start the same way as a tappit, but instead of tapping it, theres a little 'lever' on the back. When you push that, it pushes the whole letter out.
HTH
http://jessdesserts.blogspot.com/
Reply
http://jessdesserts.blogspot.com/
Reply
post #7 of 18
3/15/11 at 6:26am
I bought some Clickstix and find them almost as much of a pain as my Tappits. I think I'm destined to not have any of these work well for me icon_sad.gificon_razz.gif
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 18
3/15/11 at 9:25am
But others are smaller than tappits. Are there any larger alternatives?

I learned tappits from Edna's tutorial on youtube. She teaches the exact opposite from the package directions and her way works perfectly.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 18
3/15/11 at 9:57am
Thread Starter 
I agree, I would love to find larger sizes in letters- without using cheesy plain cookie cutters.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 18
3/15/11 at 10:13am
I learned from Edna too. Works really well. Here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfuxL2PqoVA
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 18
3/15/11 at 10:39am
I've "TAPPED" so hard, it no wonder the darn thing did't snap!
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 18
3/15/11 at 11:16am
I've "TAPPED" so hard, it no wonder the darn thing did't snap!


I know how you feel! last cake I made that I used the tapitts for I spent longer on the lettering of the birthday girls name than on the rest of the cake!
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 18
3/15/11 at 11:57am
Thanks for posting Edna's link, she makes it look very easy! Usually when I do it, I have to use a soft bristled brush to push the letters out of the tappits. The tapping doesn't work for me at all, half the letter breaks off.

I guess what she does differently is rolls it thinner than I am capable of (I guess that depends on your gumpaste), and puts shortening on her surface to encourage it to stick. I will try that!
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 18
3/15/11 at 1:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KTB4

I bought some Clickstix and find them almost as much of a pain as my Tappits. I think I'm destined to not have any of these work well for me icon_sad.gificon_razz.gif



That's strange!

You do need to roll your fondant/gumpaste thinly (otherwise the ejectors will mark your letters, and the letter could get jammed up in the cutter). If you do get marks in the letters from the ejectors roll thinner, and also make sure when you cut the letter out you are ONLY pressing on the outer edge of the cutter (ie don't press the ejector bit while you are cutting the letter). Make sure you have lifted the cutter off your work surface before pressing the ejector.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 18
3/15/11 at 2:10pm
I have used Ateco and Makins for years and LOVE them! GSA has both of them. Good luck!
tlreetz

www.TalkCake.com

We are here to make your cake dream a reality. Our designs are limited only by your imagination.
Reply
tlreetz

www.TalkCake.com

We are here to make your cake dream a reality. Our designs are limited only by your imagination.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Cake Decorating
Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › Cake Decorating › best alphabet cutters for gumpaste?? not a fan of tappits