Fondant is an edible icing that can be sculpted to create 3-D decorations and shapes. It is also used to cover and smooth cakes and pastries. It is made of sugar, water, gelatin, shortening or vegetable oil and glycerin.
Have you ever wondered how those specialty cakes look so perfect? One of the secrets is a substance called fondant.
It’s easy to work with
When it comes to birthday cakes and special occasion desserts, the icing is just as important as the cake itself. In fact, a cake without the right icing can still be delicious but it won’t have that “wow” factor that makes people want to take a picture of it before they dive in.
Fondant is a soft icing that can be used to cover and decorate cakes and cupcakes. It is a bit more work to prepare than other icings but the results are worth it. Fondant can be colored to create fun and bright cakes or can be sculpted into shapes for more sophisticated creations. Fondant can also be molded and draped to create fancy swags, bows, flowers and frills.
There are two different types of fondant: poured and rolled. Rolled fondant is more like sweet dough and has glycerin, vegetable oil or shortening and gelatin added to make it pliable. It can be shaped to cover cakes or cut into strips for decoration. Poured fondant is more like a thick liquid and can be sculpted just like clay.
If you plan to color your fondant, try to use gel-based food coloring instead of liquid. This will ensure that the colors are vibrant and not diluted. When adding coloring, knead the fondant thoroughly to help the color evenly distribute throughout. If the fondant is too dry, a little sugar can be added to moisten it.
It’s durable
Fondant is a type of icing that’s used to decorate cakes, pastries, and other desserts. It is typically flavored and aerated to produce a smooth finish for cakes. It is also used to make sculptural decorations such as flowers, statues, and more. This is an essential cake decorating tool for many bakers, as it can add a professional look and a unique flair to a dessert.
This recipe for homemade fondant is easy to work with and requires only four ingredients. It can also be stored indefinitely, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike. It can be a bit sticky, but it is easily kneaded by coating hands and counters with vegetable shortening before starting. It is also a good idea to keep the temperature cool when working with fondant, as it will remain pliable and less prone to tearing.
Rolled fondant is a sugar dough that is shaped into a sheet and used to cover and decorate baked goods. It has become more popular in the last ten years thanks to reality shows such as Aces of Cake and Cake Boss, which feature chefs and would-be pastry creators creating intricate decorations out of fondant. There are other types of fondant, such as poured fondant and gumpaste, that have a stiffer consistency and are used to sculpt decorations such as busts.
It’s easy to store
Fondant is easy to store, although it does tend to dry out a bit. Keeping it in an airtight container and storing it away from direct sunlight should keep it fresh. Using vegetable oil to coat the fondant before wrapping it will also help preserve its moisture.
When storing fondant decorations, make sure to use an airtight container and keep it out of reach of children or pets. These decorations can be very fragile, and accidental mishaps could happen if they are easily accessible. Additionally, if you have a lot of colored fondant or gum paste pieces, consider separating them into different storage containers. This will prevent them from absorbing strong odors, such as spices or cleaning agents, that may spoil them over time.
Fondant’s malleability is what makes it perfect for cake decoration and for creating detailed shapes. It can be molded to create intricate patterns, ruffles, and lace textures. It can also be used to create sculpted figures or figurines for special occasions. Fondant is also an essential ingredient for many wedding cakes.
Its texture does not work well as a cake filling, but it is ideal for piping borders and patterns onto a surface. Buttercream, on the other hand, has a softer texture and is suitable for frosting cakes and cupcakes. It can be tinted a variety of colors, and it is easy to load into a pastry bag for piping.
It’s easy to decorate
If you’ve ever wondered how some cakes look so perfect, especially those on display at weddings or in specialty bakeries, the secret is fondant. Fondant is an edible sugar dough that can be molded into any shape to create two or three dimensional decorations for a cake. It also makes the perfect base for a theme cake.
While many people are familiar with buttercream icing, fondant is much different from it. It comes in a few different forms: rolled fondant, which has the texture of clay and is a bit stiffer than regular icing, and poured fondant, which is more like a thick liquid. Both are used to sculpt or decorate cakes, cupcakes, and pastries, but the texture of rolled fondant is very unique.
To begin working with fondant, place a little cornstarch or powdered sugar on a flat surface to prevent it from sticking. Then, using a rolling pin, roll it out into about an 1/8 inch sheet. Next, use a food coloring kit to add color to the fondant. Knead the colored fondant well to ensure that the color is fully incorporated. If you want to avoid staining your hands, it’s best to either wear disposable gloves or coat them in vegetable shortening before working with the fondant.
One of the biggest advantages of fondant is that it doesn’t contain any dairy, so it’s a great choice for those who have allergies. However, it’s important to note that fondant does contain glycerin, which can cause skin irritation in some people.