Fondant is the icing that allows skilled bakers to turn ordinary cakes into eye-popping showstoppers. It’s also the key ingredient that lets bakers create the detailed designs on a wedding cake, such as ruffles or lace textures.
Fondant is made by supersaturating water with sucrose. At room temperature, water can hold only so much sugar, but at the boiling point it can hold more than twice as much.
Easy to make
When working with fondant, it is important to keep the color consistent and free from intense light. Especially with tinted fondant, sunlight will cause the hue to fade into a paler or different color. This is why it’s best to wrap unused portions of colored fondant in plastic or zip-top bags and store them in the coolest part of your pantry or cabinet. You should also try to avoid refrigerating the fondant, which can introduce moisture and make it sticky.
When making your own fondant, it’s a good idea to use powdered sugar on your hands and work surface. This will prevent the fondant from sticking and make it easier to handle. To reduce the amount of sugar you need, you can also sprinkle the surface you’re using with a bit of cornstarch or confectioners’ sugar.
Once the fondant is ready to use, wrap it tightly with cling wrap and then place it in a resealable plastic bag. You should write the date and time on the bag so you can remember when it was made. You can also spritz dry fondant with water and knead it to hydrate it, which will help improve its texture and elasticity and prevent the dreaded elephant skin. It’s also a good idea to add glycerin, which is a humectant that draws moisture from the air and can be used to moisten dried fondant and prevent it from cracking.
Incredibly photogenic
Fondant is a sweet icing that can be used to cover a cake for a smooth, polished look. It is also an excellent base for creating sculptural flowers, vines, and other designs. It is often used for special occasion cakes, such as weddings or milestone birthdays.
Unlike buttercream, fondant is thicker and has more of a clay-like texture. It is also a bit more expensive than buttercream, but it can add a big wow factor to a cake. In addition, fondant can be colored to match a theme or for a specific event. With a skilled decorator, a fondant-covered cake can become a work of art that will impress your guests and family members.
The most common type of fondant is the rolled variety, which is used to cover a cake. It is made from sugar, water, and sometimes gelatin or cornstarch and has a very sweet taste. It has become a popular choice for specialty cakes because it can give them a professional and decorative appearance.
Another advantage of this kind of fondant is that it cuts like a dream and does not absorb moisture from the buttercream underneath it. The only drawback is that it tends to crack if kneaded too hard or overheated. This can be avoided by using a candy thermometer and working it until it reaches 238 degrees (soft-ball stage). Also, make sure to use a clean hand or a dish towel between dippings to avoid residue on your hands.
Versatile
Fondant is a versatile icing used to decorate cakes. It can be rolled flat to cover an entire cake or sculpted into figures and three-dimensional decorations. It also adds a smooth, professional finish to the cake and can be colored with food coloring and flavoring. Fondant is the perfect choice for themed cakes or for creating intricate decoration on a special occasion cake.
It can be used to create ruffles, flower petals, lace textures, and other detailed decorations. The malleability of fondant is what makes it possible for cakes to be designed to look like everyday objects and even cars or buildings. It is also the key ingredient in most specialty cakes, such as wedding cakes and groom’s cakes, which have to take on unusual shapes.
To make a fondant that is both sturdy and smooth, it is a good idea to mix it with glycerin or glucose syrup. These substances are available at most cake decorating supply stores and can be added to fondant to help it dry more quickly. They also work well as glues for attaching hard, flat fondant decorations to a cake or for sticking tiers together.
You can also use shortening to keep your fondant from sticking to your work surface. However, it is important to work in a cool, dry place to ensure that the fondant will dry quickly and will not become sticky.
Easy to store
Fondant is a pretty flexible material that can be stored for long periods of time, but it must be handled with care to avoid spoilage. It’s important to keep fondant in a cool, dry environment and away from moisture. It’s also a good idea to store your fondant separately from other foods and decorations to prevent contamination.
The best way to store fondant is in a zip lock bag, but make sure that the air is pushed out of the bag before sealing it. This will help to minimize air exposure, which causes the fondant to harden and crumble.
It’s also important to store your fondant in a cool and dry place to avoid moisture and temperature fluctuations. Also, be sure to keep your fondant away from odorous substances like spices and cleaning agents, as the fondant will absorb these smells. Finally, store your fondant in a place that’s out of reach of children or pets, as they could easily get into the decorations and cause damage.
Depending on the storage conditions, a well-made and properly wrapped fondant can last up to 3 months. It’s a good idea to inspect your fondant on a regular basis and replace any that are damaged or expired. You should also monitor the storage area’s temperature and humidity levels to ensure that they are stable.