Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Hi Paul/ David,

I wondered whether you will be doing a tuturial on standing figures on cakes i.e groom toppers etc.

I recently done a cake which I stood up using skewers, but after an hour it just fell over.

Any feedback would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Sandy

Hi Kookieskakery

If you go to tutorials and select wedding cakes and styles. On page 2, Rose Wedding cake (its Black and White) Paul has the bride standing and the groom sitting on the cake.

Good luck with the next one.

Jackie

Hi Kookiesbakery,

Florist paste would be best to use to make a standing model (leave to set overnight) alternatively sugarpaste with tylo.

As Jackie mentions there are videos where Paul has one standing and also for more detail this may help….

Bride and Groom

Good luck,
Kind regards
David

Hi Sandy

Have a look at this medium as well http://www.cakeflix.com/blog/making-a-rose-quickly-using-artista-soft-modelling-paste. I have read on various sites that it makes much lighter models which are virtually indestructible. The paste is non edible/non toxic, but it still must not come into contact with the cake so it is advisable to have models on their own little board. Just another avenue to explore,.

I saw a video and they used uncooked spaghetti strands to hold them up, I use it on my cakes and it works amazingly.

I have a question on this theme……….
I’ve made some fondant figures that I want to put on a cake this weekend, they have dried out nicely and I’m just wondering what do I do with them once the cake is covered in fondant, do I just place them on or put a little icing/food clue underneath to stick them in place?

Hi Jojo99

Best thing to use is Royal icing, it sets a lot firmer than edible glue and will reduce the risk of your models falling over. Once you place the models hold them on the icing for a short while to ensure they are stable.

Thanks for the prompt response madeitwithlove, I know it’s late 🙂

My cake is just out of the oven and I have another question if you don’t mind?
I’m colouring some fondant to make some more figures and I’m just wondering if I can correct the stickiness? I’ve tried icing sugar but that’s not helping much 🙁

Hi Jojo

Has it become sticky a a result of adding colour and how much of it is there? When that happens to me I divide the fondant up into smaller amounts eg 1 kg I cut into 4 and leave it unwrapped for half an hour. The air getting to it dries it out a little enough to make it more manageable. It won’t help if you have it in too warm a room either. That’s all I can suggest, if you keep adding icing sugar the colour will become lighter so you’ll still end up with the same problem. Let the fondant rest overnight, wrapped up and look at it in the morning.

Yes, it’s adding the colour that’s making it sticky.
I had less than a kg cut up into smaller amouts, I made about 8 different colours.

The room was a bit warm (I was baking the cake) and I didn’t think of letting it dry out for a while, that might have worked.

The pieces I used were pretty difficult to work with because they were so sticky :o)

I hope you have it sorted now. What I didn’t mention is that some people add a little gum trag or tylose when their fondant becomes sticky. I suppose that would have helped, but my brain wasn’t working too well, sorry!

I’m going to try some of my fondant tonight and see if packing it away over-night has improved the condition of it.

I have some gum trag and tylose so I’ll keep those in mind if I’m still finding it too sticky………..

Many thanks for all your input 🙂