Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

I’ve spent about 4 hours putting together a bride and groom figurine, but I’m worried that the groom won’t dry properly. What is the best way to dry sugarpaste? I’ve laid him on a foam flower pad.
I was able to mix some modelling paste in with the sugarpaste for the bride and that’s helped it firm and dry, but unfortunately I didn’t have any for the groom. Plus, the sugarpaste used for the groom is fairly old and has been opened (but sealed in airtight container) for many months now. The black sugarpaste is unusually sticky and soft, it’s very strange. Any ideas or suggestions are much appreciated!

Hi Faye28

I had a similar problem with deep red sugar paste which was old but had been stored as your’s. I think the darker colours start to break down the consistency of the sugar making it very sticky and unmanageable. I threw mine away because no amount of strengthener helped it dry out.
You could try placing the figurine in the airing cupboard or in the oven on the lowest temp setting with the door ajar. It would need to be in there overnight. If you try the oven method the figure should be placed on parchment paper and not on a foam pad. On the other hand it may be better to make another groom with fresh sugar paste with added gum tragacanth or tylose powder.

I should add that this is only applicable with electric ovens but you can still do it in a gas oven if you have heat from a constant pilot light.

Thank you, I might try the oven if it doesn’t firm up by tomorrow! It’s nice to know that it’s not just my sugarpaste acting strange.

I would start again,you need a modelling paste with gum trag or tylose otherwise it may go soft I,ve had trouble with it happening with cup cake toppers you don,t want heads falling off

We’ve just made them again, and they’ve worked so much better! Thanks for the advice