How Far In Advance Can You Make Fondant Figures
Decorating By Redstarfalling Updated 24 Jul 2016 , 4:40pm by tinkybellcmd
I'm making a cake in about 3 1/2 weeks and I wanted to try some fondant figures on top. I was hoping to do them ahead of time, but I'm not sure what's the best way to store them and how long will they keep before getting cracked or otherwise yucky. Any thoughts? Thanks!
I make my fondant figures & CC toppers a month in advance & some make them way before that too. Let them dry very good before you store them to prevent color bleeding & fondant becoming all gewy. Store them in an air tight container.
HTH
I've saved fondant figures for years with no problems. I do agree to let them dry well before storing them. Personally I don't store them in air tight containers, I like to store them in cardboard boxes so they can breathe.
Be careful on storing them in a plastic container. When I first started making fondant decorations, I made them in advance and put them in a plastic container. When I opened the container a couple days later the figures I had made were sticky, shiny and had lost some of their shape. I was told then to always store them in a cardboard box so they can breathe.
If they're going to crack, they generally do so within the first day or so - so don't worry about that. But especially larger pieces - as for molded animals and bodies - can take weeks to dry completely. Store in a dark place - because fondant colors fade in light, cushion your pieces with foam or crumpled saran wrap. Be very careful when you handle them.... I personally think they become more fragile with age - and make sure they have good airflow around them. Early on I had figures get gummy when I covered a tray full with just one layer of paper towels. I like to put them on a wax paper covered tray in a dark room or cupboard - no covering at all - until I use them.
Be careful on storing them in a plastic container. When I first started making fondant decorations, I made them in advance and put them in a plastic container. When I opened the container a couple days later the figures I had made were sticky, shiny and had lost some of their shape. I was told then to always store them in a cardboard box so they can breathe.
That happened to me last month too but I didnt let them dry well before storing, now that TS mentioned the cardboard box I would definitely go with that its way safer than a plastis container 
does that go for fondant mixed with edible cmc aswell
You can make them months in advance
1 - Mix your fondant with some gumtex powder or tylose powder. It will be much stronger
2 - prepare a container that eliminates sunlight to put your figurines in. Plan ahead if you need something to hold your figurine upright
3 - I do NOT use an airtight container. I want the figurine to dry and do not want it airtight at all. I would leave it out to dry but need to protect it against dust and sunlight. I put some rice or a desiccant pack in the bottom of the container and then raise the figurine above it to dry.
Note that certain colors - especially green, may fade. After the figurine dries completely you can fix this with a drop of gel food coloring mixed with vodka. It will not look painted on. It simply re-tints the dry fondant.
The only time I ever had a problem was when I colored some fondant/gumpaste gray by mixing in a little black. Even though I kept them in a dark place, everything that was gray had turned bluish green. Has anyone else had that problem?
The red fades first in almost every medium, leaving the blue and the yellow+blue=green.
What was your color brand?
The only time I ever had a problem was when I colored some fondant/gumpaste gray by mixing in a little black. Even though I kept them in a dark place, everything that was gray had turned bluish green. Has anyone else had that problem?
@dawnybird, how long did it take those pieces to change color?
HELP! I made the cutest figures - they looked "perfect". Then, after drying for about a week, they all started to crack beyond repair
as if the inside was expanding. I stored them in the open, didn't move them. I have a tree stump forest creatures cake to deliver in 2 weeks & I work full time, so I really need to get going on them again. ANY wisdom would be really appreciated.
Oh, I'm so sorry I never answered! We went out of town and by the time we got back, I had long forgotten about this thread! It took mine probably a week and a half. Black is a funny color that will sometimes go green, sometimes purple. I've never had a problem with any other color unless I left them in the light, in which case they faded a little.
will be okay to put them in cardboard boxes and then in the fridge??
I really would not put them in the fridge! Whenever I have -leftover fondant covered cake not premade toppers- the fondant quickly becomes sticky, bendy, and bleeds. In my last place I used to just set them in the cupboard until I needed them.
I`ve kept toppers for up to a year and they never changed. lately I have a problem with light pinks and purples fading really quickly but the toppers themselves don`t change from when I made them. They don`t spoil or go yucky.
Otherwise I`ve kept leftover toppers on the counter for MONTHS with no issues other than a bit of fading and some dust. I have no idea what causes cracking, maybe your humidity is too low? or your fondant is too dry?
I make mine at the very least a few weeks in advance, I make my flowers in bulk and they keep easily up to a year. Haven't really tried keeping them longer, they always get used up by then.
I store them in boxes and cover with tissue paper. Don't refrigerate them, and don't store them in something airtight.
AHello I noticed you're from East Texas so am I
So I just purchased a fondant figure through ebay, for my daughter's baby shower cake. It's an elephant with some peanuts and will be shipped Monday, 9/28. The baby shower isn't until October 17th, so I haven't ordered the cake just yet. So how should I store it until then when it arrives?
Quote by @ACLARK11 on 25 Aug 2013 , 6:45am
HELP! I made the cutest figures - they looked "perfect". Then, after drying for about a week, they all started to crack beyond repair
as if the inside was expanding. I stored them in the open, didn't move them. I have a tree stump forest creatures cake to deliver in 2 weeks & I work full time, so I really need to get going on them again. ANY wisdom would be really appreciated.
Hi, I was wondering if you found any way to fix your figures? If so, please share your tip.
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