Help I Can Not Get The Alphabet Out Of The Cutters!
Decorating By totallycaked Updated 16 Aug 2010 , 4:13pm by totallycaked
Ok, so I am so frusterated. I have the alphabet set from Wilton and no matter what I do, there are certain letters I can never get out of the cutter. I am so frusterated so I just got the FMM Funky alphabet and number cutter set. I have tried fondant, fondant with tylose, with shortening, without, with poweder sugar, with cornstarch.... and I still cant get those letters to just fall out of the cutter ! Is there a trick ? anyone.... help...thanks !
When I have letters stick in the cutters, I use a small paint brush to gently poke them out.
I use the tappits quite often...at first, I had lots of questions about how to get the gumpaste out of the forms without ruining it!!
Then... with a bit of trial and error, I have reached a point where I'm about 99% successful getting the gumpaste letters out without distorting it!
First, I make sure I have dusted my work surface with powdered sugar or cornstarch, I use both, mixed equally. then, roll out gumpaste, very thin! I will also use fondant that I have added either tylose or gum tragacanth...I usually roll out a piece of gumpaste that's big enough for about 6 or 8 letters/numbers... after I roll it out, I let it set out, uncovered, for about 5 minutes... then.... I dust that piece of gumpaste with powdered sugar. I will also dip the tappit form into powdered sugar.
then, after the tappit has been pushed over the gumpaste, I cut away that piece, then push the tappit on to a hard surface, so that it cuts clean lines.
THEN... very firmly hold down one end of the tappit with one hand, then flip the entire tappit, onto a hard surface. I use a small soft paint brush to gently move the letters in to the right position after they are out of the form....
this may not be making any sense right now, so I apologize.~~ I wish I could be more clear with my words!
I think there are some good tutorials on you tube that would probably be a great way to see what I'm trying to describe!!
I always have the same problem with the funky alphabet cutters. I was just at ICES and watched Nicholas Lodge use these and he not only rolled the fondant extremely thin, but he used a small pin (looked like a sewing type of pin) around the top edge to get the first bit to come out. Then he just pulled gently on the fondant and it popped right out. I haven't tried it, but I'm hoping it works. 
Good luck!
Roll the fondant very thin. If you're using a pasta machine go to 7 or 8. Then let it sit on the counter about 5 - 10 minutes to dry out. With the Tappits, cut, and whack err, tappit.
Leah you rock!
I had the exact same problem and just followed your instructions. They came out beautifully.
Think I was rolling the fondant too thick AND trying to cut out while it was still too soft. 
I use fondant with tylose added in. Roll it really, really thin on a corner of your board that has been lightly coated in shortening. Lift up the piece with a spatula and flip it over. Crisco side is now up. I lightly grease the letter I need with Crisco. I cut the fondant into little squares and keep them under plastic. Cut out the letter. I use a glass headed pin to remove the letter from the tappit from the underside. This is the only way I can get it to work for me. I found if I used PS or cornflour that the letters would dry and crack too easily.
I only use flower paste when i use my tappits, i can roll it so thin its see through, so it dries out quick and you get nice clean cuts with it 
tappits do need to be 'tapped' against your bench to help release it
I use fondant with tylose added in. Roll it really, really thin on a corner of your board that has been lightly coated in shortening. Lift up the piece with a spatula and flip it over. Crisco side is now up. I lightly grease the letter I need with Crisco. I cut the fondant into little squares and keep them under plastic. Cut out the letter. I use a glass headed pin to remove the letter from the tappit from the underside. This is the only way I can get it to work for me. I found if I used PS or cornflour that the letters would dry and crack too easily.
Great idea cutting out little squares first - not sure why I never thought of that! I usually end up with imprints all over my fondant! The only way I can get them to work is by putting plastic wrap over the fondant and pressing the letter over it, then removing the plastic and cutting it out with an exacto.. Definitely going to try greasing the letters with Crisco next time!
Thank you everyone, you are a huge help. The video was great and now I get the name Tappits. I think I was doing them way to thick like playdough instead of something thin and delicate. I will have to pay more attention when looking at other peoples cakes to see how thick they are. I muddled through and finished my sons girlfriends cake, but the lines were not crisp. I think I will make it thinner, let it sit out for a few min, flip it over to make sure it is cut through all over the form and try the taping on the side of the table.... thanks again everyone !
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