Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Since Renshaws have changed to smaller size packaging, I am wondering if they have changed the recipie, its seems much softer and cracks more easily. Does anyone know if this is the case ?
Also I was looking on Cake-stuff.com web site, they have a “Professional” and a “Premium” sugarpaste. Does anyone know what the difference is ? I have looked on Renshaws website, but can’t even see the “Professional” sugarpaste.
Premium is £13.50 for 5kg (on special)
Professional is £18.95 for 5kg.
Has anyone used these two types of sugarpaste ?
3 questions in one.

Thanks for your help, Jackie – The Cake Lady

Hi Jackie

I’ve just spoken to Renshaws and they tell me their recipe hasn’t changed. To me it doesn’t feel, smell or taste the same and I’m not alone in thinking so.
The name has changed to Decor ice, professional and premium apparently refers only to their marzipan. They’re going to phone me back to clear up the mystery!

Hi Jackie

As I’ve said I’m waiting for them to phone me back. They were very apologetic about my lime green and asked if I could send it to them for testing. Of course that was last summer and I don’t have any of it left because I chucked it out! I think you’ll get more sense from them if you phone. A few days ago member jgibb posted that Renshaws make Asda’s sugar paste. It comes only in white and costs £2.10 pence for 1k. I’ve used the Asda paste for budget cakes and found it much better than Renshaws branded. I’ve no idea how they can make a better tasting smelling paste for supermarkets but not for themselves! I use only Satin Ice now, for consistent results. Hope you get some answers from them soon.

Hi Jackie

Apparently it’s the same icing with a different name. You’ll see a kind of explanation here http://www.surbitonart.co.uk/acatalog/Renshaw_Regalice.html My local cake decor shop says the recipe has changed to accommodate new EU regs on colours.
I’ve stopped using Renshaw because it smells very strongly of vinegar. Last summer I ended up having to throw out quite a bit of their lime green, not only because of the smell but also because of it’s poor performance.
I can only assume it’s called professional or premium because of the packaging size, aimed more at the larger business end of cake decorating market. Although the small packets are also labelled professional. A call to Renshaw’s might clear up the mystery.

Hi MIWL
I know what you mean about the vinegar smell, but that has always tasted ok.
I bought Blue fondant in November and it was terriible, I also bought yellow and that was fine.
I had also email Renshaws, but not had a reply yet.
I have a wedding cake to do in May, so not sure now to use Renshaws or not and using another type is going to put the cost up and I have already given a price. 🙁
I tried a small packet of Culpit, but not keen on the taste.
Just not sure what to do now.
Thanks

Hi Jackie
I’ve stopped using Renshaws as it does seem to have changed. I used to use it all the time but now find it too soft and rips far too easy, despite what colour it is. I wasn’t aware they had a professional and premium label. I’ve tried the Sattina paste and had no problems with it. I also use Morrisons own for boards and budget cakes and haven’t had any problems with these either. I’ve tried numerous sugarpastes but think I will stick to Sattina for now. Hope you get satisfactory answer.

Hi Thanks ladies for your comments, I have not had time to phone Renshaws, but I did contact them through there web site and they have not got back to me.
I use the Asda sugar paste for cake dummies to practice on, but think I will give Satin Ice a try as so many people say its good and its not that much more expensive than Renshaws (thought is was a lot more initially).

Thanks again

Hi I have used Windsor cake crafts own sugarpaste in the past and have found it ok. I have also used paste from sugarpaste direct.

Hi Jackie

Renshaws have sent me 750g of three colours gratis to try out. This is definitely not the same as the old recipe even though they say nothing has change. I haven’t opened the packets yet but I can feel how soft the paste is. I’ll probably melt it down to use on fancies for Easter. If you decide on Satin Ice, roll it out thinner than normal sugar paste to prevent sagging and elephant skin. I find it goes on beautifully without too many air bubbles.

Thanks MIWL
have you used Sattina ?
my friend has tried and says that it is good, I have a few samples of sugarpaste coming next week, they cost £1 from Cake Stuff, although there is postage as well, in the pack
Renshaw Covering Paste, Covapaste, Cake Stuff Couture, Satinice, Regalice (Renshaw Ready To Roll), Culpitt Cake Decorating Sugar Paste.
Also JustJennys Cakes gets some sugarpaste from sugarpaste direct, have you tried that the reviews some quite good.
thanks again for your help, I don’t know how you every get the chance to make cakes with all the question you answer.

I’ll try some of the sugar pastes you’ve mentioned. Other members have said about Sattina. I would have tried it but somehow got diverted back to Satin Ice! I’ll see what’s new at the London show. I wish Sweet Art had a UK supplier. That’s the paste which Debbie Brown used in her cute baby tutorial. I stocked up from them back in November while at the Birmingham show and used it all up at Christmas. Take care Jackie, hope you find a nice paste, when you do, post and let us what you think of it. x

Hi

Well after a lot of eating cakes and trying different sugarpastes here are my results and my families.

Culpitt… too grainy/sugary and did not like working with it as it seemed to be quite dry.

Satin Ice… did not like the flovour, very marshmallow, but great to work with

Sattina…very sugary, tasted horrible,

Here is my favourite fondant – sugarpaste it is from Sugarpaste Direct
www.sugarpastedirect.co.uk

Its great work with.
Its lovely and smooth in your mouth, and not grainy.
Its not too sweet.

Let me know if you try it and how you get on.

I have also converted a friend to use it and she loves it too.

Jackie

Hi Jackie

Thank you for your review of the different sugarpastes it’s really useful. I’m about to order from sugarpaste direct but I’m a little worried about the shade of their ivory colour. The shade looks very yellow, have you used this colour? I normally use Satin Ice but thought since you found it to be a good paste I would give it a go.
Would really appreciate your opinion. x

Hi miwl
I have only tried the white at the moment, you could maybe give them a phone and ask as colours all look different on laptops, ipads etc.

Let me know how you get on.

Jackie

I’ll phone them in the morning. I’ll let you know what they say, thanks Jackie x