A little while ago, Amanda of iambaker invited me to take part in a very special project.
A project she named Desserts for the Deserving, where Amanda asked for nominations for deserving people who could use a little pick-me-up. She then asked bakers if they would be willing to step up and make a crafty gift or baked good and ship it to the chosen nominations. (1 person per nominee). The response was overwhelming! For the heartwarming details, click here.
This year, the lovely Amanda has organized another one! You can read all about the 2nd one here, which I was thrilled to be a part of.
My recipient is a loving, hard-working registered nurse, who was nominated by her step-daughter who wanted to say thank you in a sweet way, and I sincerely hope these cookies were able to add a little joy to her day.
A little something I’d also like to share with you… Beyond Amanda’s Desserts for the Deserving efforts, her blog is filled with such irresistable dessert inspiration, you won’t ever want to leave. Imagine decadent cakes filled with surprises inside; sweet and fluffy rose swirl cakes; and luscious layers of chocolate. Sigh.
And about the sweets I made… These thank you cookies were the perfect excuse to pull out my tappit cutters, which I’ve owned for years, but never tried. I wanted a little more of a crisp, raised look and lately have been interested in trying different mediums other than only royal icing on my cookies. So, I’m definitely no expert in using these, but I thought I’d share how I made them, what I experienced and what did and didn’t work for me.
{Quick side note about Instagram ~ I’m really enjoying the filters you can chose from to change the look of photos. The filter I’m using in the pic above, Valencia, is my favorite right now. It casts a soft, kind of vintage glow, compared to the original below}.
What are tappits?
Tappits are the Fmm brand name for their small alphabet cutters. Here is a link to all of Fmm’s tappits.
Notes:
A few notes before I even begin the how-to:
- I tried using fondant at first but found the fondant so pliable and soft, that the letters warped and stretched a little too much than I liked… Repairing them was challenging, so I tried a 50/50 gum paste/fondant mix and it was better, but after I tried only gum paste, I was sold. Straight gum paste was the easiest to work with and warped the least. It was also fairly easy to remove from the cutter.
- Taste-wise you might want to go with a 50/50 mix or straight fondant; you might have more success with it than I did! Maybe freezing the letter for a few minutes or letting the fondant dry out a bit first would work better. Would love to hear your input below if you’ve tried it.
- If you do go with gum paste, you could let your sweet recipients know to take the letters off first; they are edible, but they’re not yummy.
- Rolling the gum paste as thinly as you can is key to success. About 1mm was what I did… At about the point where the gum paste begins to look see-through.
- The cutter for the thank you cookie, is from Coppergifts.com and is called the Fancy Rectangle Cookie Cutter 4.25. They all sorts of cute ‘plaque’ shapes and sizes.
How to Use Letter Cutters (Tappits)
Click on the item below to find it on line:
What you’ll need:
- Gum paste
- Super Red Soft Gel Paste
~or color of choice - Tappit Alphabet Cutters
- Small Fondant Rolling Pin
- Corn Starch
- Fondant & Gum Paste Board
~or hard, flat surface of choice - Toothpick or pin
Making the Letters:
Step 1: Color the gum paste to your desired color. If mine gets sticky while I’m massaging the color in, I use a little shortening on my hands to help remove the stickiness.
Step 2: Roll the gum paste out onto your cornstarch dusted surface. Roll it as thinly as you can, about 1mm thick. Rolling a long, thin piece saves time, as the alphabet cutters are joined.
Step 3: Firmly press your desired letter into the gum paste. While pressing downwards onto the cutter, I also shimmied it left and right a bit, to help loosen the area of paste around the letter.
Step 4: Lift the cutter away, and with your fingertips, lightly brush the excess gum paste away from the letter.
Step 5: Try tapping the cutter on your work surface to release the letter. If that doesn’t work, take a pin or toothpick, insert it into one area of the gum paste (not too deep) and gently peel the letter out. I noticed that if I let the gum paste sit in the tappit for a few minutes to dry, it was easier to pull out.
Step 6: Place it onto the parchment paper to dry. You may need to use the pin or a toothpick (or any cake tool of your choice), to reshape a bit.
Step 7: Let your letter dry for a day or two. You could use it right away, but if the letter is dry it’s a little easier to place. Note; if you’d like your letters to sit on a curved surface, use them right away. Gum paste dries quite hard, and it’s easier to use when it’s not dry, than trying to heat it up and reshape later.
Step 8: Once you’re ready to place your letter on the cookie, dab tiny bits of royal icing onto the back of each letter, and adhere. Careful not to use too much icing, because it will seep through and you’ll need to use a toothpick to remove the excess. (Can you tell I did that?! ;-)) If you’re placing the letters on fondant, a little dab of water on the back will do the trick. Water and royal icing aren’t the best mix though – too much water will leave craters in the royal icing. Another FYI, placing the letters on the cookie so that the spacing was decent was a little tedious. Not the kind of decorating to do if you’re getting interrupted by a little one every few minutes. At least for me anyways.
And that’s it!
I liked the result and will definitely be trying it again.
So what are your experiences with tappits? Other letter/number cutters? Have you tried it? Do you have other tips to share?
Please feel free to share your experience using any kind of letter cutters in the comment section below.
Happy decorating!
xo,
Marian
Leonie says
I have found using gumpaste with the Tappits the most successful. A couple of tips I’d like to share; dont roll the paste any thicker than the inside of the letters. If you move the Tappit around on your dusted surface, once you’ve cut out your letter, you’ll find you get a ‘cleaner’ shape. Also if you turn the Tappit, with the paste in the letter, to be exposed to the air for a few minutes, the paste firms and comes out of the Tappit so much easier. Fondant does not work. If you make your own gumpaste then you can control the flavour. Hope this helps.
Ela says
Wow what a wonderful thank you gift
Janine (sugarkissed.net) says
I am amazed at how perfect the lettering looks! It makes me want to give gum paste a try but I am reluctant to use something that doesn’t taste good on my cookies. I think I will look into making my own gum paste to control the flavor as Leonie suggests.
Angela says
I love using the Tappits. Rolling the paste thin is the key.
The more you do it-the better it gets.
Happy Baking and Decorating,
Chef Angie
haniela says
What a wonderful post Marian. I love the cookies and your attention to detail is magnificent. I wanted to get those cutters for so long, perhaps now I finally get the. Thanks for being such an inspiration for all. Hani ♥
Lauren Cortesi says
I use fondant all the time, so it does work. You just need to make sure there is plenty of cornstarch in the Tappit. However, saying that, I definitely want to try the gumpaste.
My problem most of my letters go onto cakes, so I need to use the fondant for the curved sides, but can use the gumpaste for tops.
Tamara says
Hi great tips thanks! I find that if you leave the gumpaste to dry a bit before cutting out the letter it seems to come out quite well 🙂
Tam
Sheila says
Very pretty. Love how perfect the letters are. I looked
at the website link and would like to know how you get other colors on the images?
Sheila
Andrea Saunders says
I think the problem is you were using Duff’s fondant. His fondant is extremely soft. If you use fondex or satin ice you wont have problems. All you have to do is roll or cut a strip of fondant then let it sit for a couple minutes then use the tappit and tap it out against the counter and it pops out. That is why they call it Tappits. No painful picking it out.
Hope this helps.
Andrea
karen warren says
it took me while to get used to the tappits I love then now a tip I was given at a college course I did roll out using trex on the worksurface use this for any icing I roll out even covering cakes
Mary says
Once you get the knack you will NEVER have to peel the letters out as mentioned in Step 5. I have seen FMM doing the demo of these at a cake show and they flick out every time when you get the right method, no warping at all, so easy! Plenty of cornflour does the trick!
Carolyn Woods says
These are beautiful! I didn’t know what a tappit was! I was looking at the pictures before reading the article thinking “how the heck did she get such perfect lettering.” lol. Now I know, thanks! :).
marian says
Hi @ Leonie: Thanks for the tips, I will definitely try letting mine sit a little longer before I take them out.
My pleasure, @ Ela, thank you.
Sounds like a good idea! @ Janine (sugarkissed.net)
Thanks Chef @ Angela!
Right back at you, @ haniela: Thanks for being such sweet inspiration! I look forward to your creations!
Hi @ Lauren Cortesi: Lots of cornstarch… will try, thanks!
That’s great, @ Tamara: I’ll be a little more patient and let the gum paste dry a bit before I tap it out. Thanks!
Hi @ Sheila:
I used Americolor Super Red, a small amount of Americolor Teal and a tiny bit of Americolor soft pink. Hope that helps!
Amanda says
Seriously some of the most beautiful cookies I have ever seen! All your tips and tricks are amazing!! So thankful to have you be a part of Desserts for the Deserving. You are a blessing!!
marian says
Hi @ Andrea Saunders: Thank you! I was wondering if different brands make a difference, but I’m hearing from your comment and others that letting the fondant dry out a bit first is the key. Thank you!
Interesting, @ karen warren: Trex is called shortening here. I will try that out too!
Hi @ Mary: I’m hearing from you and others that lots of cornflour does the trick. Thanks! Can’t wait to try again!
marian says
Hi @ Carolyn Woods: It’s really so easy, even if you have to pick the letters out with a pin! Have fun!
@ Amanda: Thanks so much for having me! It was a special project and I was happy to be able to contribute! xo
Michelle says
I use fondant (Fondx) with tappits too – as mentioned it works best if you let the strip sit for a few minutes to firm before cutting. Also, with the funky letters, there is a part of the cutter which only embosses the letter so the fondant has to be a bit thicker. Modelling chocolate also works really well! Roll it, leave it to firm up and away you go – if it is really warm and the paste won’t firm up, pop it into the fridge for a few minutes before cutting – but not too long or it will go sticky as it returns to room temp.
Jodie Whitley says
Yup, straight fondant does work. Lesley over at Royal Bakery has a great tutorial on how to use them on her facebook page. I let the fondant dry for a few minutes before I cut the letter, tap the tappit into cornstarch first then cut the letter. When I go to tap the letter out of the cutter, I tap it on the rolling pin so that the cutter doesn’t squash the letter. Takes a bit to get used to, but it works like a charm once you figure it out!
susie says
the letters came out amazing…what a great thank you. I have said many times that I “think I could do anything” except nursing…that takes a very special person!
bridget {bake at 350} says
Marian….these cookies are just beautiful! Love the pictures, too! I’ve never heard of Tappits until you mentioned them. Now I feel I MUST have them. 😉
marian says
Hi @ Michelle: I’ll definitely be trying your suggestions, thank you! xo
marian says
Another great idea, @ Jodie Whitley! Thank you so much for sharing all that great info.! I’m def. looking forward to trying modelling chocolate next time too. xo
Oh, I agree, @ susie, I think it takes a very special person too. Kudos to the nurses out there!
Hi @ bridget {bake at 350}! I like them because they’re an easy way to have pretty letters on a cookie without worrying about messing up writing with royal icing. Think I’ll be using them more! =)
marla says
These are truly amazing cookies ~ with such a great message 🙂
Kirsten says
Love your cookies…always! Was wondering abut the little hearts on the pockets…they look so perfect…did you maybe them the same way you made the letters, or did you do it with royal icing? Thanks!
marian says
Thanks, Marla!
Thanks @ Kirsten: I made the hearts with royal icing. I made them as royal icing transfers, let them dry, and then adhered them with royal icing. Here’s a post about royal icing transfers: https://sweetopia.net/2011/01/valentines-love-cupcakes/
Gina says
Would Tappits work with SugarVeil?
Brantcookies says
I love the little nurses uniforms,especially the blue ones, so cute! I’m sure you made a well deserving persorn very happy!
Maria Theresia says
I’m learning every time some thing new from you….
very nice gift for this special person.
thank you for teaching and sharing your talents.
ML
Lynn says
Dear Marian;
I was so excited to see your tutorial on tapits (by the way love love love your site. I have had them for a long time and I tried them once and was intimidated because i was tapping away and could not get the letters out i finally used a pin. But was discourage because everyone says oh you just tappit and i was frustrated that i could not get them out right. But now i see i was right also with the pin. Thank you for making me feel better. Lynn
JulieD says
So pretty and what a great thing you did!! I have tried tappit cutters many times and they never worked for me…good call on 50/50 and using a needle! Thank you!!
Lisa says
I love tappits!! I let the strip of gumpaste sit for a few minutes (I’ll leave mine for about 10 minutes sometimes-depending on humidity) before starting to cut the letters. Not so long that it hardens, but you don’t want to use it immediately after you roll it. They pop right out if you wait before cutting.
marian says
That’s a great idea, @ Gina! I’m not sure but I’m guessing yes. Michele Hester at SugarVeil would know best.
Thanks @ Brantcookies!
Why thank you, @ Maria Theresia!
Glad to help any way I can, @ Lynn. 😉
@ JulieD: I know, they were frustrating at first. Let me know how it goes when you try again. xo
Cool, thanks @ Lisa for the tips!
Roberta says
Thank you all. This is so interesting. I’ve just bought a set today for a weekend birthday cake so can’t wait to try them out. Will try fondant & gumpaste….just hope one works for me! 😉
Debbie says
Hello, Marian!
Do you mind sharing which of your cookie recipes you used for these? I love how well they held their shape, and would love to try it.
Thanks!
Andreja says
It looks great
Andreja
Marian N says
What lovely cookies. The tappits are something I think I will have to look into. I think they could be a real confidence builder for me.
marian says
@ Roberta: Yay! Have fun!
Hi @ Debbie: This one is the sugar cookie recipe. Please be sure to check out my post on preventing cookies from spreading. Enjoy!
Thanks, @ Andreja!
Hi @ Marian N: It’s great to use when you don’t want to worry about messing up piping icing! I loved it. Hope you are well!
sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more says
oh man, I hated those cutters. But now that I see you did the 50/50 I think that would work way better. And the pin trick is perfect. Also I got a pasta roller to roll out my fondant and stuff, I am way too lazy other wise.
TriciaZ says
The cookies are wonderful, and I love the lettering. I’ve been thinking about getting Tappits for a while now, and after reading your great tutorial I think I’ll give it a try. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this blog and share your knowledge with us bakers. You’re the best!!!
yiota says
Great cookies!!!Thanks for the tutorial!I have the tappit s and i was wondering if there is a site that i can order the cookie cutters in the picture.
marian says
HI @ sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more: Yes, it was a bit frustrating with the fondant, although I’m hearing from the comments here that lots of constarch works, as well as letting the fondant dry out a bit before you cut the letters. Hope it works and have fun!
Awww, thanks, @ TriciaZ!
@ yiota: Yes, if you look at the blue box which lists all the things you’ll need, click on tappit cutters.
Kimmie says
Wow you have been busy! Great post!
marian says
Thanks, @ Kimmie! =)
Deborah Stauch says
Love them! Your designs are always so striking and well planned! Your post reminded me of a tip I’d been meaning to share about using Tappit cutters with flattened marshmallows. I’ve posted that method in my blog and linked back to you and your great tips. Thanks Marian for sharing your experiments along the way!
niner bakes // sweet treats says
I responded on instagram but not here..shame on meeee 🙂
Marian I love this blogpost!!
I do have tappit cutters but NEVER used them 😀
So with your tutorial I think it is time to use them soon.
Btw I love the project Desserts for the Deserving, it’s such a wonderful thing.
Much love from Germanyyy
xoxo…niner 🙂
Karen says
Hi there – beautiful cookies & a wonderful cause. I wanted to share a great youtube video on tappits – not sure if you’ve seen it or not, but it was certainly helpful for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpbi3qgzfok Have fun!
Samantha Lee says
Arrrggghhhhh!!! Can you hear me screaming in my head about your amazing decorated cookies? So amazed by your super neat and clean and oh my, super duper cute and pretty creations. I mean it I’m serious.
The cookies always look good on Instagram and even better over here. I wouldn’t want to eat them coz it’s just too pretty and cute.
marian says
HI @ Deborah Stauch: I went to look – what a brilliant idea, thank you!
Thank you as always, lovely @ niner bakes // sweet treats. Looking forward to what you come up with next.
Awesome, thanks so much @ Karen!
@ Samantha Lee: You are too kind! I love your cookies and cute creations too! Wish you lived closer! xo
Carri says
I love the cookie shape of the Thank You Cookie!! Can you share your source for that cutter? Your work is always so inspiring!!
marian says
Hi @ Carri: I’ve added the link to where I got the cutter from in the ‘Notes’ section of the post. There are quite a few different styles on CopperGifts.com Have fun!