Problems Coloring Fondant

Decorating By princesscakes30 Updated 7 Mar 2012 , 8:27pm by princesscakes30

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princesscakes30 Posted 6 Mar 2012 , 9:54pm
post #1 of 13

HELP!! I am trying to color my mmf red and black. I have tried 2 ways to make this happen without success. I have added the color to the melted marshmallows and i have colored the finished mmf. Both times, once the desired color is achieved my fondant stops being stretchy and just breaks and tears. I have tried adding more criso, more p.sugar, i am out of ideas. What am I doing wrong????

12 replies
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jgifford Posted 6 Mar 2012 , 10:09pm
post #2 of 13

It sounds like you're adding liquid or gel colors. Oil-based colors will work better for you. Try adding a little corn syrup to bring back the elasticity. HTH

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cashley Posted 6 Mar 2012 , 10:25pm
post #3 of 13

What brand of color are you using? I use Americolor super black and super red and never have a problem. Wilton you have to put too much in to get the color and will cause your MMF to seperate.

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HamSquad Posted 7 Mar 2012 , 12:14am
post #4 of 13

Try kneading into your fondant some glycerine, read that tip here on CC. I use it all the time when gum-paste or my fondant starts to get dry and cracking. Hope this Helps!

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Mexx Posted 7 Mar 2012 , 1:50am
post #6 of 13

When you add a lot of colouring to fondant, you should also let it 'rest' for a few hours before you try to use it.

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princesscakes30 Posted 7 Mar 2012 , 2:37pm
post #7 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by cashley

What brand of color are you using? I use Americolor super black and super red and never have a problem. Wilton you have to put too much in to get the color and will cause your MMF to seperate.




Thank you everyone so much for all your input. I have been using Wilton gel colors. will definitely try amicolor. This has been such a headache, esp because I only need a small amount, so I don't want to go and buy the store-bought stuff.

This batch was so bad, the corn syrup couldn't save it. (Although I hadn't even tried it before this to compare). Does the corn syrup work like the glycerine? Are the interchangable?

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jgifford Posted 7 Mar 2012 , 2:57pm
post #8 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by princesscakes30

Quote:
Originally Posted by cashley

What brand of color are you using? I use Americolor super black and super red and never have a problem. Wilton you have to put too much in to get the color and will cause your MMF to seperate.



Thank you everyone so much for all your input. I have been using Wilton gel colors. will definitely try amicolor. This has been such a headache, esp because I only need a small amount, so I don't want to go and buy the store-bought stuff.

This batch was so bad, the corn syrup couldn't save it. (Although I hadn't even tried it before this to compare). Does the corn syrup work like the glycerine? Are the interchangable?




Sorry, I've only used glycerine in RI but not in fondant so I don't know how it works.

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princesscakes30 Posted 7 Mar 2012 , 3:57pm
post #9 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgifford

It sounds like you're adding liquid or gel colors. Oil-based colors will work better for you. Try adding a little corn syrup to bring back the elasticity. HTH




oil-based colors like the ones you would use to color chocolate?

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jgifford Posted 7 Mar 2012 , 4:03pm
post #10 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by princesscakes30

Quote:
Originally Posted by jgifford

It sounds like you're adding liquid or gel colors. Oil-based colors will work better for you. Try adding a little corn syrup to bring back the elasticity. HTH



oil-based colors like the ones you would use to color chocolate?




Yes - - regular colors are water or alcohol based and don't always do good things to fondant. I've found that oil-based colors work really well.

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Debbye27 Posted 7 Mar 2012 , 4:24pm
post #11 of 13

for black fondant, it's way easier to start with chocolate fondant - I add dark cocoa powder to mine....then add the black coloring....I think it tastes better then regular fondant too icon_wink.gif

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HamSquad Posted 7 Mar 2012 , 6:09pm
post #12 of 13

Hello princesscakes30, corn syrup does not work like glycerine to help add moisture back to dry fondant or gum-paste, I had tried that too. When adding the glycerine, which Wilton sells in a little bottle, just add small drops at a time to get your fondant or gum-paste to a workable medium. This works well with kneading in some shortening too, experiment and find what works best you. Hope this Helps. I use this all the time especially with making gum paste flowers or pieces for cakes.

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princesscakes30 Posted 7 Mar 2012 , 8:27pm
post #13 of 13

Thank you everyone. This helps immensely. I did buy some americolor super red and super black and they worked like a charm. My fondant lady bugs will live to see another day! Love the tips for the glycerine, I will have to buy a bottle and keep it on stand-by. icon_biggrin.gif

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