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Hi I wonder if someone can help me. I’ve been trying go 9 days now to make a figure. I’ve used 2 big boxes of sugar paste and threw it all away. I have tried different amounts of Taylor’s powder each time. My fondant either crack when I try to make Sausage or bend it for legs. Or when I’m trying to roll it into a ball it has giant splits in like a smiley face and when I pull it apart it looks all crumbly. What do you think I’m doing wrong. I’m so disheartened and frustrated xx

Hi you don’t say how much tylo powder you have been using! To make the fondant pliable you should be using roughly half a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of Tylo powder to 250 grms fondant . Once kneaded in keep it covered as it dries out quite quickly. The more Tylo powder you use the more firmer it will become and will crack , try rubbing in some Trex or white fat. which will also help!

Thankyou for answering. First I put 1/2 teaspoon in 250g them 3/4 then 1. I did try trex but I must have put too much in as it went greasy. I’ll have another go tomorrow and try bit by bit xx

I never have much success adding tylos powder, have you tried using half sugarpaste and half flower paste.

nicky223

Once you have mixed the tylo into the fondant use straight away as the longer you leave it the firmer it becomes hence it cracking, when rolling or making a model! I sympathise with you having been there myself! Good luck.

Thankyou Nicky I been to buy some so I’ll have a go. Thankyou too Candy I’ll try that too. I do leave it to rest cos I thought you had too. I can’t get it to stretch either do you think I’m not kneading it enough xx

Hi Smurf

It is possible that you have not kneaded the gumpaste sufficiently after resting the tylose. Normally tylose will activate straight away so you can use the gumpaste immediately However, if you rest it, it does require kneading well to an elastic consistency. Other tips when making fondant derived gumpaste:

1: Don’t use too much icing sugar/ corn starch when handling or rolling out as this dries the gumpaste out;

2: The heat from our hands draws out moisture from gumpaste so knead it quickly but well.

3: Too much trex will prevent the paste drying once models are made – pieces can crack and crumble.

4: Humidity and heat will also affect how well gumpaste performs. Humidity will prevent drying while less humidity will dry it out.

5: Problems can be resolved by kneading in a little straight fondant to over stiff crumbly gumpaste. This usually helps correct the consistency.

6: Instead of making fondant derived gumpast you might find using a good ready made paste more economical with less wastage. Sacaracio is an excellent brand which receives consistently good reviews from professional decorators. I do believe Paul endorses and uses it in many of the tutorials.
https://www.cake-stuff.com/edibles-c1/flower-modelling-gum-paste-c14/saracino-m100

Recipe will depend on heat and humidity although most people do use 1 teaspoon of tylose/CMC or gum trag to 250g of fondant a little adjustment may be necessary.

If you’d like to try your hand at making it from scratch, take a peek at recipes here:

https://www.cakeflix.com/questions/clarke-baxter

Hope this helps. 🙂