Hi! Newbie here. Just want to ask about gumpaste and how fast it dries? It's my first time to make and use gumpaste and I'm worried if it will dry even before I complete the design. I'm thinking of cutting the decoration (1-inch thickness) from gumpaste utilizing tylose. Can't use commercial plungers because it's a sort of unique design, so I'm planning to sketch the pattern then cut it manually. I'm worried that the gumpaste will dry before I completed the design.
Thanks in advance for your help! :D
Hi, Newbie here too...
If you are leaving it an inch thick, it will take a very long time to dry. I can leave a 1" wad, or ball, of gumpaste uncovered for a week or more, then pick it up, mash it, knead it, and with a little Crisco on my fingers, proceed to use it all over again. It will return to a usable consistency. But then I make my own gumpaste, usually by adding Tylose to all my leftover marshmallow fondant If you have the time, try leaving a piece out and see what yours does. Hope this helps at least a little bit.
ATylose added to marshmallow fondant is not gumpaste. If you add tylose to fondant you'll get a paste that dries hard, but it isn't gumpaste and it doesn't act the same way. If you make real gumpaste and leave it out for a week it will be hard as a rock.
If you're rolling out a sheet of gumpaste to cut a large shape out of it, just cover the section you're not working on with a piece of plastic wrap or something like that to keep the air off of it. I make my own gumpaste and it dries hard overnight.
AI made a large gum paste bow this morning. Propped it with cling film, had the heating on so fairly moist atmosphere. By to this afternoon it was hard as a rock and I put it on the cake x x x
Thanks everyone for your responses! 
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Hi, Newbie here too...
If you are leaving it an inch thick, it will take a very long time to dry. I can leave a 1" wad, or ball, of gumpaste uncovered for a week or more, then pick it up, mash it, knead it, and with a little Crisco on my fingers, proceed to use it all over again. It will return to a usable consistency. But then I make my own gumpaste, usually by adding Tylose to all my leftover marshmallow fondant If you have the time, try leaving a piece out and see what yours does. Hope this helps at least a little bit.
Oh, that might be a good idea. How do you add tylose to leftover fondant? Do I need to mix it with other liquid or something or just knead it in? :D
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Tylose added to marshmallow fondant is not gumpaste. If you add tylose to fondant you'll get a paste that dries hard, but it isn't gumpaste and it doesn't act the same way. If you make real gumpaste and leave it out for a week it will be hard as a rock.
If you're rolling out a sheet of gumpaste to cut a large shape out of it, just cover the section you're not working on with a piece of plastic wrap or something like that to keep the air off of it. I make my own gumpaste and it dries hard overnight.
Oh, thanks for clarifying about tylose and gumpaste. In case I add tylose to fondant, will my topping still stand? I'm afraid I can't get the gum-something product from Wilton locally. And thanks for the tip in working with gumpaste. :D
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Oh, I see. I guess I'll finish the design before it completely dries. :D
AAdding tylose or the Wilton version to fondant makes what people refer to as a quick gumpaste, which will dry hard but still be softer than real gumpaste that has tylose in it. The advantage is that it's soft and has a longer working time, but the disadvantage is that it will absorb moisture from the air more readily and soften up at inconvenient times. You can buy tylose online and it isn't that expensive if you want to make real gumpaste that will keep its shape and not absorb moisture as much. I've had quick gumpaste soften up and lose its shape in the fridge because it was absorbing the humid air, and real gumpaste isn't as likely to do that. I also had a friend call me in a panic asking if there was anything she could do to save th quick gumpaste flowers she had made that had just been ruined when a rainstorm came through. Nope...they had absorbed moisture from the air and were done.
AHere, read this: http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com/2013/10/gumpaste-recipes.html
A
Original message sent by blwilley
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**Gum Paste**
1 heaping Tbsp. glucose/corn syrup 3 Tbsp. warm water 1 Tbsp. Gum-Tex/Tylose Powder 3 cups sifted powdered sugar 1 cup sifted powdered sugar (save for later) Paste food color optional
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This isn't a gumpaste recipe so much as a modified pastillage without as many drying agents. I can see how it would be a lot softer, especially if you're using the gumtex and not tylose, but if it stays that soft for so long it probably would be more susceptible to the humidity issue too.
I have that gum paste article bookmarked. It's a keeper!
I do make my own butI have also used this gum paste which is really smooth, allows for excellent working time, and dried nice and hard. I highly recommend it if you ever decide not to make it. http://www.etsy.com/listing/98682357/gumpaste-sugar-dough-for-cake-decorating
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I don't even know why people call it 'quick' GP - it's NOT GP at all - it's modeling paste.
Yeah, it's basically a hard-drying fondant. I refer to quick gumpste just to not have to explain it every time, but if you really don't want your flowers to melt in the fridge or in a humid climate you shouldn't use it exclusively for delicate flowers. For thick things that are being molded it's fine.
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