Hello Sugar Friends
ESCOLO Product Page
It’s a very cold morning here in Ohio, and when I say cold, I mean cold, lol I am constantly wishing I was back in Florida enjoying the Ocean.
I thought I would address some of your most asked fondant/gumpaste cake topper and figurine questions. I get lots of questions everyday about my cake toppers and figurines. You may have noticed that many of the comments do not have answers or replies from me, but that is not because I am ignoring those posts. When someone posts a comment on one of my posts, I get an email showing the comment and I usually just answer any questions or address the comments directly instead of answering in the comment section because there is not a lot of space to reply and sometimes the question can be a private matter so I feel it is just better to answer the questions I receive directly. I do my best to get back to each of you ask quickly as I can, I understand how frustrating it can be when you are trying to figure something out or try a new technique and you run into issues and need help.
Ok lets discuss sugar sculptures, as you know this is my favorite subject and the thing I love creating most of all.
I am asked all the time, once you create a fondant/gumpaste figurine how long before it will start decaying, how far in advance can I create my figures, can I put them in the fridge etc. So these are the things I am going to answer for you.
Here are some of the most asked questions I receive and the answers:
How long in advance can a gumpaste figurine be made up before an event?
Figurines can be made up ahead of time without any problems. I always make my figurines up ahead of time so that they can set-up properly. I make them up, at the most about a month ahead.
Can I put a gumpaste figurine or cake topper in the refrigerator?
It is not a good idea to put a figurine that is made with fondant or gumpaste in the refreigerator due to the condensation, it can cause the figurine to fall apart.
Can I use Marshmallow Fondant to make figurines?
You can use marshmallow fondant, however it is a very soft fondant and will sag and may not hold the shape very well so it really is not a great fondant for making figurines but I guess it depends upon what you are making.
How long can I keep a fondant/gumpaste figurine before it starts to decay?
Gumpaste figurines can be kept indefinitely as long as they are properly stored, I have figurines that are now 2 years old.
Why do my gumpaste figurines have large cracks in them once they have set up and dried?
From my experience gumpaste is made to dry very quickly therefore it is best when rolled out very thin such as when creating gumpaste flowers. What happens is when you create a figurine with gumpaste it dries from the inside out and rather quickly. This process causes the inside area of your piece to push outward thus creating cracks and problems in your figurine……. This is the main reason I use a mixture of fondant and gumpaste or the Wilton brand of fondant with tylose powder added to it when creating my figurines and other objects in cake decorating.
What fondant and or gumpaste do you use to create your figurines Donna?
I use Wilton fondant mixed with tylose powder to create my figurines. The Wilton Fondant is nice and durable which makes it great for creating figurines…….(Although I would never cover a cake with the Wilton Fondant due to the taste). At times I also use a 50/50 mixture of commercial fondant and gumpaste to create my figurines.
What should I use to glue my figurines together?
Water works very well to glues arms, legs, head, clothing together. There is an Edible Glue that you can also use to glue your figurine pieces together. The recipe for the edible glue is located at the top of the page just click on the tab that says edible glue.
How should I store Sugar Figurines that I want to keep?
They should be stored in a cardboard box or like container with a lid. (Never store them in the Fridge) Then I keep that container in a cool dry place. If they are exposed to alot of moisture or condensation this can cause them to break down. Because gumpaste and fondant is made mostly of sugar this acts as a preservative and this is what keeps the figurines from molding or rotting.
Can Gumpaste/Fondant Figurines be preserved long term?
Yes, to preserve Fondant/Gumpaste Figurines, a clear coat can be sprayed on them, I use a clear lacquer spray. This will preserve the figurine and then you can display your piece in a display cabinet or store them away in a closed box.
Want more information on cake display cabinets? Feel free to contact us.
Like
Loading...
Posted at 15:35h
inin Articles
There’s nothing like the scent of freshly baked goods to lure customers into your bakery—in fact, 26% of Americans get lured into a bakery solely by the smell of delicious baked goods. But once they’re inside, you have to entice them to buy, and once they buy, the taste of that delicious baked good has to be enticing enough to lure them back.
While bakeries produce the most cookies, cakes are the most profitable item. Of course, these cakes have to look good all day and still taste good when they travel home with customers.
So, it’s time to delve into the art and science of how to keep cake fresh.
First, the obvious question: do you need a cake refrigerator?
For the average person, no. But for a bakery, yes.
For the average person, a fridge is a no-go for cakes. Refrigeration dries out sponge cakes, even in an airtight container, which leaves the cake dull and tasteless in no time. And given that you want to enjoy that cake as long as possible, it’s counterproductive.
For a bakery, a commercial refrigeration unit is non-negotiable. That’s because if you’re displaying a cake, it’s likely already frosted. Without refrigeration, your frosting will melt and spoil, especially in a bakery with high customer traffic. Plus, if the cake is fully frosted, the frosting will help keep moisture trapped in the cake.
The key is to store your cake properly so that it doesn’t lose its taste to the refrigerator.
First, you have to know how to store cake properly. While it’s quite easy for a commercial kitchen to rush a cake from the oven to the fridge, that’s actually a rookie mistake that will ruin cake texture.
Instead, your cake should be fully cooled to room temperature before it goes in the fridge. You should always frost cakes first in order to keep moisture contained in the cake. Cakes without frosting can be stored in the open air, but any cake with cream cheese frosting, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or topping should be refrigerated.
Fortunately for a bakery, a decorated cake is ready for sale, which means your refrigeration unit can double as your display if you’re crafty about the setup.
When storing cake in the fridge, you should always use a separate cake refrigerator. No mixing and matching with other baked goods—cakes are fussy in the fridge. Plus, cakes are like sponges (even if it’s not literally a sponge cake). If you store a cake in the same fridge as anything else, it will absorb the smell and taste of those items, which is a great way to ruin all your hard work (it’s no coincidence that this is also a common food storage mistake at restaurants).
Your best bet is a display fridge designed for cakes. The good news? There are display refrigerators expressly designed for bakery display counters.
There are no two ways around it—if you’re figuring out how to keep cake fresh, you need a display refrigerator. That’s where we can help, with mid and high-end range bakery display refrigerators designed to entice your customers. You’ll love the performance, and your customers will love the taste. Make sure to check out our collection to find the perfect choice for your bakery.
Are you interested in learning more about upright cooler? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!