I recently got the Walnut Hollow clay extruder from Michael's and I'm having trouble using it with my fondant. I've seen that other people have had success using this model so I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I keep adding more and more shortening to soften it up and I'm afraid that if I add any more it's just going to get goopy. Would it have anything to do with the fact that I'm using MMF instead of regular fondant? Or should I just keep adding the shortening until it's mush. Would really appreciate some help; cake is for Thanksgiving tomorrow with the in-laws (Canada). Thanks in advance!

Put the shortening on the inside of the extruder too. I don't have problems with fondant...but I do gum paste...and this helps. Just get some shortening on your pinky finger and rub it around inside the tube of your extruder. Then put your fondant in and it should help a lot. Also, the smaller the opening on your disc, the harder it is to force the fondant or gum paste through. It just takes a bit of muscle!

You don't want your fondant TOO soft or it will be hard to pick up after extruding without stretching. And if you let it dry it can crack apart. It takes some trial and error!

good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks, Carmijok! I'll have another go at it this morning. The muscle part isn't much of an issue since it's one of the ones with the crank on the end, not a lever--one less thing to worry about! I'll try the shortening trick though.

Or try adding more shortening to some fondant and put that through the extruder. Might work better.

I use MMF in my extruder and, like you, I have the kind with a crank. You do have to add quite a bit of shortening to your fondant to make it work and avoid little cracks. Good luck!

I have one too....love it....I try and get the fondant as warm as possible by working it in
my hands...you can use the microwave but be careful...it get soft real quick. best to just use
a bit of shortening if you have to and work it with your hands.....love the hand crank....
have fun.

I have one too....love it....I try and get the fondant as warm as possible by working it in
my hands...you can use the microwave but be careful...it get soft real quick. best to just use
a bit of shortening if you have to and work it with your hands.....love the hand crank....
have fun.

I use my Walnut Hollow extruder alot. It works very well for me. I normally use Satin Ice so I can't speak for how the MMF works with it. I add a little Crisco to soften the fondant. You can also try spraying just a very small amount of Pam in the tube before putting the fondant in.