Tappit Cutters

Decorating By joolee Updated 15 May 2011 , 11:42am by LisaPeps

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joolee Posted 15 May 2011 , 2:11am
post #1 of 14

I bought a set of Tappit alphabet/number cutters ( non ejector), so that I could make funky letters instead of straight. I find they are very difficult to remove from the cutter, has anyone got any tips on removing the fondant from the cutters so that they come out looking good. Thanks for any advice xx

13 replies
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QueDeeCakes Posted 15 May 2011 , 2:24am
post #2 of 14

Try dusting the tappits with cornstarch before cutting out letters...works great for me. I almost threw mine away out of frusration... lol but thanks to cornstarch I love them

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cab333 Posted 15 May 2011 , 2:29am
post #3 of 14

I find that gumpaste works better than fondant. You are suppose to be able to tap them out of the cutters, but I find that hard to do. I allow the gumpaste to firm up a bit, then I use a tool or a tooth pick to losen the letter and remove it that way....ever so carefully.
They do take patience, but are just so cute!!

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jo3d33 Posted 15 May 2011 , 2:32am
post #4 of 14

I use mine all the time. Let your gumpaste or fondant rest for a few minutes before you use them and it should pop right out. Cornstarch helps too. I have heard of some people using saran wrap over the gumpaste and under the cutter.

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nikki1273 Posted 15 May 2011 , 2:33am
post #5 of 14

There are a couple of tutorials on youtube. It seems that there are lots of different opinons out there. From watching these it seems like using gumpaste and letting if firm up a little works the best. Check them out....see what you think.

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cab333 Posted 15 May 2011 , 2:35am
post #6 of 14

That saran wrap trick sounds interesting...I may need to give that a try! Thanks jo3d33.

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Coral3 Posted 15 May 2011 , 2:43am
post #7 of 14

Make sure you're rolling the fondant/gumpaste thin enough. Dust well with powdered sugar and/or let sit 10minutes. To release the letter give the cutter a really good whack on your workbench.

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monet1895 Posted 15 May 2011 , 2:48am
post #8 of 14

I use straight gumpaste and I grease a board with crisco and roll out the gumpaste. I rub a little crisco on the tappit too, and after I release the letter stays stuck to the board. I never actually have to "tappit." I let the letters sit on the board for a couple minutes to firm up and then I can easily move them without distorting them.

Ditto on youtube! Love my tappits!

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threeforhim Posted 15 May 2011 , 3:13am
post #9 of 14

I use the saran wrap method. I saw it here on CC in another thread. I'd used them several times but had great difficulty removing the letters, no matter how long I let them sit, how thin I rolled the fondant or what combo I used. It took me no less than an hour just to punch letters and some were marred by toothpick marks or straight pins. Then I saw the saran wrap method. Simply roll out your fondant or gumpaste or combo. Lay plastic wrap over it. Press your letter on top of the wrap. When you're finished with all the letters remove the wrap. This works everytime!

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JackieDryden Posted 15 May 2011 , 3:43am
post #10 of 14

I love mine, but they do take a bit of getting used to. I make sure my fondant or gum paste is rolled really thin, dust nicely with corn starch, walk away for a few minutes then come back and dip the letters in corn starch, shake excess off, then cut. If I have enugh corn starch, I don't have to tappit-which is good, because they can become distorted when they are soft! I am glad I have them-wish they were larger like 3 inches!

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HamSquad Posted 15 May 2011 , 4:36am
post #11 of 14

Thanks for the tips for using the tappits. I've had moments when I wanted to snap them in half. Patience is a virtue. I too use a lot of powder, but I use the combo of cornstarch mixed powder sugar dusted on my gum paste. I roll out the gum paste on the #4 or #5 setting on the pasta machine. Then cut strips, dust them and let them air dry for a few minutes, then cut out my letters or numbers. I'm going to try the saran wrap method, I have never heard of this method. My tappits letters look better than my piping writing.
Thanks everyone!

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joolee Posted 15 May 2011 , 5:36am
post #12 of 14

Thankyou, thankyou , thankyou! I can't wait to try them out again, I'll have to dig them out from the bottom of my drawer though, I really was at the stage of throwing them out. I'm new to this site but you have all been so helpfull. Yeah Cake Central !

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jessyummycakes Posted 15 May 2011 , 10:53am
post #13 of 14

Gumpaste only!!! And jiggle them side to side!

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LisaPeps Posted 15 May 2011 , 11:42am
post #14 of 14

As you are from the UK, I've found the best medium to use is flower paste. I've tried it with homemade gumpaste but found that difficult to use. Roll your flower paste really thin... I have an imperial pasta machine and go to number 5 on it. Then dust your surface with cornflour, press the tappit into the paste, rub it onto the surface, turn it over, rub your finger over the letter to clean up the edges then whack it onto the side of the surface and it should pop right out. I don't like using it with white vegetable fat as they take longer to dry and its harder to move them around when you are finished.

HTH

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