fondant tips?

[MamaBee]

Oh wise ones who bake...

I think I want to attempt to do some fondant work on my son's birthday cake... and the one and only time I did, I used the box stuff... that really didn't turn out well... this year my son is obsessed with ties... so that is his party theme. I would like to do a cake similar to this... but since I'm fairly new to the whole fondant thing - and it's not something that my mom ever did and she is helping me - the body of the cake will probably be in butter cream and tie and collar made out of fondant...



I'm really nervous... any tips or tricks you have for me in doing this? Favorite recipes? I think someone mentioned that they really liked marshmallow fondant... has anyone tried rolled butter cream, is it easier?

Thank you!

[nikkiARNGwife]

Fondant is pretty easy to work with..I only use marshmallow fondant b/c i just think it tastes better. I've found that if I'm coloring it, it is much easier to add my food coloring to my melted marshmallows first before adding the sugar. Go darker though b/c adding the sugar with lighten it some.

If you can too, I'd really pick up one of those rolling mats made especially for fondant...it is VERY sticky and if you keep adding powdered sugar to keep it from sticking then it is more likely to dry out..the first time I used a rolling mat I was like "why haven't I always done this??" lol

[MamaBee]

Originally Posted by nikkiARNGwife

Fondant is pretty easy to work with..I only use marshmallow fondant b/c i just think it tastes better. I've found that if I'm coloring it, it is much easier to add my food coloring to my melted marshmallows first before adding the sugar. Go darker though b/c adding the sugar with lighten it some.

If you can too, I'd really pick up one of those rolling mats made especially for fondant...it is VERY sticky and if you keep adding powdered sugar to keep it from sticking then it is more likely to dry out..the first time I used a rolling mat I was like "why haven't I always done this??" lol

ohh... Must get that rolling mat! That is what happened the time I did use fondant, all the powder sugar dried it out and it cracked on the cake.

THANK YOU!!

[sprauncey1]

Also coat your hands with vegetable oil when you handle it. That way it doesn't stick and it helps it not dry out as well.

And I LOVE the idea of adding the coloring to the marshmallow (as long as you are doing one color for the batch)!! That to me is the hardest part: getting the color mixed in good. Just think of it like playdough.
Marshmallow fondant is way cheaper but get ready to have sore arms from mixing it (or get hubby to help in that part like I do).

Yes you can do buttercream (do you know the paper towel technique?) and then accent with fondant. It may be harder to get the color to match, so maybe see how the fondant colors and then match the buttercream to it since it is easier to color.

[MamaBee]

hmm... I don't know what the paper towel technique is... baking is not my forte, I married into the Kuchenbecker name (last name means cake maker in German)... but it has yet to rub off on me! LOL!

[Valgal]

I agree on the marshmallow because the boxed is wretched! I did use it once because I needed a good BLACK for my ds's Guitar Hero cake.

[sprauncey1]

Video for paper towel technique: Video

It works, I did it and you need Viva paper towels to do it.