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suggestions for baby legs
Unfortunately, there is no field for uploading pictures here but I was looking for suggestions as to which type of sugar product to use for a figure on a cake. I’m sure you have seen the baby butt gift box cakes where it appears that the baby is leaning into a gift box — all that is visible is the baby’s butt and fat little legs. I made one this week but had a horrible time with the legs. The thing is they are very fat and thus heavy. It really does not work to make them ahead of time and allow drying because you have to mold them around the butt. So I used a mix of gumpaste and fondant with a dowel but the legs still sagged significantly and would not stay on the butt despite the use of royal icing and sugar glue. I was wondering how to do this in the future ? Would modeling chocolate work better? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!
Unfortunately, there is no field for uploading pictures here but I was looking for suggestions as to which type of sugar product to use for a figure on a cake. I’m sure you have seen the baby butt gift box cakes where it appears that the baby is leaning into a gift box — all that is visible is the baby’s butt and fat little legs. I made one this week but had a horrible time with the legs. The thing is they are very fat and thus heavy. It really does not work to make them ahead of time and allow drying because you have to mold them around the butt. So I used a mix of gumpaste and fondant with a dowel but the legs still sagged significantly and would not stay on the butt despite the use of royal icing and sugar glue. I was wondering how to do this in the future ? Would modeling chocolate work better? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Selias
How about making the baby legs with rice krispie treats? It is very light and keeps it’s shape. You’d need to compact the RKT very firmly and use a small rolling pin to make the cubby rolls of fat on the legs. Once made cover the legs with either two layers of fondant to smooth out the uneven surface of the treats or use one layer of marzipan and cover with the fondant the colour of the baby skin. Re emphasise the cubbiness of the legs by scoring the folds made earlier. Put a skewer at the top of each leg and attach to the butt.
Modelling chocolate is another alternative. It doesn’t need dry time so you could attach the legs straight away and they won’t buckle in the same way that fondant does. It firms up more after a few hours. It’s a good idea to have a can of cool spray to help attach the legs. This is super cold compressed air, which, when sprayed on chocolate joints of anything that need attaching, works immediately. It also works on fondant.
For extra precaution, dowels or skewers can still be used.
As for which is the best fondant to use …. I hear Saracino is the best when making models. I believe Paul uses it as his preferred medium for modelling.
Hope some of the suggestions help. Good luck with your next try! 🙂
