I'm the mom of a future Marine. I'm trying to use a large Marine Corps EGA candy mold to make the Eagle/Globe/Anchor design. I have no knowledge of how to use the mold. Can I use fondant in the mold rather than chocolate/candy melts? How do I remove the fondant or candy easily from the mold without tearing it up? How do I paint the item gold?

As you can see, I'm totally lost and time is running out on my deadline. Any help or suggestions would be really appreciated.

I've used fondant in the plastic candy molds before. Just smear some shortening in the mold first so that it doesn't stick.

As for painting it gold, I use gold airbrush color and just paint it on. I let it dry, and then add another coat, until it's the color gold I want.

Thanks, Silverdragon! What is gold airbrush color and where do I find it? I don't have any airbrush equipment - is that what would be needed?

I will definitely follow your instructions about using shortening in the mold. Did you have any issues popping the fondant out?

I know which mold you're talking about. In addition to using shortening to coat the mold, you should also place it in the freezer for about 10 minutes or more so the fondant firms up. This will prevent it from stretching out of shape when you remove it.

Another tip is to extend a square inch of fondant past the edge of the mold at 3 or 4 points around the mold. These will serve as little 'tabs' you can pull up on so you don't have to jam a tool into the mold to help release the fondant. If the tab stretches, the fondant isn't hard/chilled enough.

Once the fondant is removed from the mold, trim off the tabs.

Be sure to let the fondant come back to room temp and harden before trying to paint it. Resist the urge to touch it as it thaws or you may leave fingerprints.

Apply the shortening to the mold with a paintbrush. Just a smear. You should be able to see through it. If you use too much shortening, it may cause your paint job to be streaky or splotchy.

If you have access to a cake supply store, or have time to order online, gold highlighter dust mixed with vodka or other clear alcohol will give you an excellent paint.

Thanks, Diane! I have a Michael's and a Hobby Lobby near my home. I usually purchase the little vials of luster dust that is provided by Wilton. Not sure about the quality of that product when trying to mix as a paint. Would that work or would you suggest that I take a chance with my short timeline and order better dust online?

I think the idea of the little tabs on the side is great! I was worried about trying to get a clean edge on the mold and not leave any excess but your idea of leaving some tabs to work with is a good idea - I can always trim.

As a beginner this will be a new experience for me! Thanks for responding!

I've never used the Wilton dusts, so I can't vouch for their effectiveness.

Unless you order other items, buying dust online can be really expensive, tho, the little container will probably last forever.

Maybe you could do a trial with the Wilton dust before you spend a fortune on highlighter dust.

To ge the best results from any dust or paint, your fondant should be tinted gold or yellow to begin with. I prefer Americolor Gold gel color. It's like a Winnie the Pooh gold. Hobby Lobby carries Americolor, so they might have it. If you can't find Americolor Gold, a tiny bit of golden yellow gel or paste will do.

Let your test fondant set up overnight, then try painting with the Wilton dust.

I like to mix the dust and alcohol in a tiny bowl, like a condiment dish. Pour a little dust in the bowl, then add the alcohol by drops. If it's too thin, add more dust or wait for some of the alcohol to evaporate. If it's too thick, add another drop of alcohol.
(If you don't have alcohol, you can use lemon extract or clear vanilla extract.)

Keeping the paint at the right consistency is an ongoing process. You'll need to add more alcohol and dust to your mixture continuously throughout the painting process.

When you're finished, let the alcohol in the dish and on your brush evaporate. You can then save the dust left behind.

Hope this helps!

Thanks again Diane. I really appreciate your painting advice. I'm sure I can do it - it is just intimidating and I needed the pointers. The EGA candy mold is huge (probably the size of my entire hand) and every little flaw will stand out if I'm not really careful.

I had already considered using yellow fondant to get a better base of gold. I hope it won't affect my silver areas on the EGA.

I would like to use white chocolate in the mold but I'm not sure how I would get the gold/silver appearance that I need to be accurate. Can you paint chocolate????

Yes, you can use the gold highlighter dust mixed with vodka to paint on white chocolate. In my pics I have a Marine Cake. The seal and the eagle are white wilton candy melts(which you can find at Hobby Lobby or Walmart)

Absolutely YES, you can paint on chocolate! Again, I would suggest tinting the chocolate yellow first.

If I understand correctly, you're planning to paint the emblem two different colors? You may need to paint more than one coat of the silver parts if your chocolate or fondant is yellow.

IF you use chocolate and IF you use "highlighter" dust, it actually looks better brushed on dry. No streaks. I prefer highlighter dust to luster dust, but either will work.

For the small details, you'll probably want to mix the dust with alcohol. But, if you decide to the do the whole thing one color, it can all go on dry.

Using the Wilton luster dust in the small vials, I want to paint the EGA primarily gold with the globe/roping being silver - I will have to look at the Marine logo to make sure. Using the white chocolate melts, can I use the Americolor gold to tint the white chocolate to a yellow color? In your opinion: Should I mix the luster dust with alcohol to paint the chocolate or paint it on dry? Will the silver or the gold bleed into the other either way? I'm trying to figure out how to not get the gold all over the silver area or vice versa.

OR

Just stick with the fondant and try to paint. Again, mixing luster dust with alcohol or just paint dry.

I'm a beginner so I need to try new things but my time constraints are really setting the pace this time. Which do you consider the quickest/easiest?

No, you can't use water-based icing colors to tint chocolate. You have to use oil-based candy colors. I'd be shocked, but if Hobby Lobby carries Americolor Flo-Coat, it's a lecithin based liquid that allows you to use water-based colors in chocolate. Otherwise, you're better off sticking to the candy colors. A light yellow should be just fine. (FYI - there are some tricks to using water-based colors, but they're hit-or-miss and you'll be coloring A LOT of chocolate, so it's not worth the risk, IMO.)

I think you can try to brush the dust on dry and if it's not working, mix it with alcohol and paint over it. Since I've never used Wiilton dusts, I don't really know what works best with them.

The colors will not bleed into one-another. Once the alcohol evaporates, the dust stays put. However, and this is really important, the dust will come off on your fingers if you touch it. This is true whether your base is fondant or chocolate. So BE CAREFUL handling the piece after painting. If you mishandle it, you may smear the gold and silver into each other. That can be fixed by painting over it. You might need to touch up after you place it on the cake.

I think chocolate is the quickest and easiest. The set-up time is super fast so you'll know right away if there are air bubbles or other imperfections. It's easy to re-melt and try again, if necessary.

When you fill your mold, I suggest filling it about halfway, then tap it on the counter several times to bring any air bubbles to the surface. Look underneath to make sure all the parts are filled and there are no air bubbles. Fill the rest of the mold and let it set up in the freezer or refrigerator.

Be sure to let your chocolate or fondant piece return to room temp and allow all the condensation to evaporate before you apply the dust.

Thanks, again, Diane. With your instructions, I believe that I can give it a try. I'm such a nervous wreck when I try something new and this cake is really important to me. I hope it will turn out well and my "little boy" will be pleased. My husband wonders how I get enjoyment out of baking cakes because I'm crazy with worry over each one!

I bought my supplies last night and will get a trial run using your suggestions.

Thanks again and wish me luck!