Sugarpaste and Rolled Fondant
Ever since natural sugars were
discovered they have been used in the form of a paste, but more recently it has
come to be recognised by sugar crafters as a very easy paste to work with to
decorate cakes, gateaux, biscuits, muffins and cookies.
In different countries it may be
referred to as Rolled Fondant, Roll out Icing or Plastic Icing, or sometimes it
is known by the brand name - Regalice, Pettinice or Satin Ice.
All of these names quite simply mean a
paste made basically from sugar that is blended to produce an icing that can be
rolled out like pastry and used as a cake covering that is soft to cut and eat.
Because of its ease of handling it is ideal
also for use with a large range of cutters, embossers and moulds.
Flower Paste and Gum Paste for
Sugar Flowers and Cake Decorations
This is a traditional modelling paste
made from sugar but with the addition of edible gum like Gum Tragacanth,
.C.M.C.or Tylose.
There are also many named or brand names
that it may be known as Gum Paste, Petal Paste or Sugar Florist Paste. This
paste has been developed so that it can be rolled out finely and dry hard,
making it suitable for sugar flowers, high detailed moulds and top decorations.
Sugar flowers are an extremely popular
feature of many cakes especially for weddings enabling the sugar artist and
cake decorator to hand craft both simple and highly detailed flowers and
leaves.
Many cutters have been developed
specifically for use with this paste e.g. the Tappit range thus enabling anyone
to create simple fine and detailed decorations and lettering.
Mexican Paste
There are occasions when it may be an
advantage to blend together both sugar paste and flower paste.
The proportions can vary, but in most
instances it is described as equal quantities, 50/50 or as a Mexican paste.
This blended paste give the advantages
of both pastes. The strength of the gums in the flower paste and the slower
drying and softer eating of Sugarpaste.
Today’s style of cake decoration very
much features fabric effects and this paste is ideal for creating sugar
ribbons, textured lace and drapes.
