Gum Paste Problems - Is It Just Me?

Decorating By dawnybird Updated 8 Feb 2012 , 10:52am by Caths_Cakes

dawnybird Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
dawnybird Posted 4 Feb 2012 , 4:37am
post #1 of 7

When I use a 50/50 mix of gum paste and fondant to make figures or roll out and cut shapes I have this problem: Once I use part of the paste, then I gather up the scraps, I can't ever get them to form a smooth ball or sausage again. It's like the gum paste won't stick to itself and there are cracks and creases. I watch tutorials of people making figures and all of their parts are so smooth! What am I doing wrong? I don't let it sit exposed to air very long and I immediately gather my scraps into a ball and wrap them back in plastic wrap. Can I be the only person this is happening to?

6 replies
ptanyer Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ptanyer Posted 4 Feb 2012 , 5:22am
post #2 of 7

I have had that happen in the past, but this is what I do now:

1. I roll it out and make my cut outs, and put the scraps in a covered container.

2. Take my scraps and mix with an equal part of some of the remaining fresh mixture of fondant/gumpaste, and proceed as in #1.

3. I continue in this manner until I have finished what I am working on, or until I have used up all the fresh mixture and a little bit of scraps left. Then I add a little shortening to the scraps, and knead it really good until it is completely smooth, and roll it up in plastic wrap until I am ready to use it again.

4. You can also heat it up gently in the microwave and knead until smooth.

I have found that you can only reuse scraps just so long before you have to add some fresh material to it.

Hope that helps!
Pam

dawnybird Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
dawnybird Posted 4 Feb 2012 , 2:35pm
post #3 of 7

Pam, thanks so much for the advice! I'll definitely try that. Glad to know other people have encountered the same problem.

TexasSugar Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
TexasSugar Posted 6 Feb 2012 , 4:47pm
post #4 of 7

Even though the scraps don't sit out long to really dry out they form a skin over them, and that is what keeps it from sticking.

Mixing it with a little fresh paste does help. I also will mix in a little crisco and then make sure I press pretty hard at first to help get rid of the lines and cracks.

metria Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
metria Posted 6 Feb 2012 , 5:13pm
post #5 of 7

i had the same problem last night! i nuked it in the microwave and then kneaded it with fresh paste for a while. it eventually all smoothed out again like new.

soozicake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
soozicake Posted 8 Feb 2012 , 10:37am
post #6 of 7

I knead in a small amount of Glycerine, works well.

Caths_Cakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Caths_Cakes Posted 8 Feb 2012 , 10:52am
post #7 of 7

i just use elbow grease, squeeeeeze and knead it quite hard for a minute or two and it always comes back together for me, though with certain brands i have had to add a little white fat to it to help icon_smile.gif

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%