Working with fondant

Fondant, I know can seem intimidating but it really isn’t all that bad. If you have played with play dough then you can play with fondant. Pastryschools.net can also teach you how to make a fondant cake using glucose, glycerin and specialty sugars.

 I have a few fondant cakes under my belt, not enough by any stretch of the imagination to be a pro at any means. But I have learned a few tricks and tips along the way.

I have made my own fondant which is just marshmallow, Crisco and powdered sugar. I have also used the boxed “Wilton” kind as well. I definitely prefer just buying the box, takes a few steps out of the way.

Tips

1.      Use food gel not food coloring. You can find this at any craft store. My gels of choice are of course the Wilton brand.

2.      Food gloves are a must! While making this black cake, I had to use a good amount of black gel and it dyed my hands red(and my table).  later saw a mom at a craft store with the same red hands and she was making her son a Mickey Mouse cake. So unless you don’t mind greeting your party guest with red hands, wear gloves.

3.      To avoid the stickiness of fondant add powdered sugar as you go along.

4.      Making a black cake is labor intensive, grey is the color you will be seeing for a while, not because you regret all the work you got yourself into and can’t turn back now but it takes a lot of gel to get it black.

5.      Once you get it black and add all your decorations I like to go over it with a mister or hand paint it with some water it gives it that nice shine.

6.      Get the kids involved, they love using their play dough cookie cutters (and there are some really cool ones out there). It also gives them some practicality to play and I love seeing their little eyes come alive when they see                 play +imagination =yummy cake! Everybody wins!

                    Hope these little tid bits help you, or inspire you to give one a try!

Happy entertaining

Crystal b.