Much A Do About Fondant
So you just ordered a My Cake-in-a-Box kit, and you've heard the word "fondant," but may be wondering what it is. Is it a fancy French pastry term or maybe a dessert ingredient? Let's take a look at the sugary world of fondant to shed some light on this sweet mystery!
What is Fondant?
Fondant is a flexible, slightly stretchy sugar paste that is commonly used in cake decorating. It has a smooth texture and can be rolled out into thin sheets to cover cakes, create decorations, and to add a touch of elegance to baked creations.
"The early stages of sugar paste (rolled fondant) developed as early as 1558. The recipe included rosewater, sugar, lemon juice, egg white, and gum tragancanth, then called gum dragon. This vegetable compound is still used in commercial rolled fondant today."
- Professional Cake Decorating by Toba Garrett
Types of Fondant
There are two main types of fondant available today: rolled fondant and poured fondant. Rolled fondant is the most popular and is used to cover cakes and create intricate designs. From the days of old, it was made with gum to give it some stretch. This is what you'll find in every My Cake-in-a-Box kit. Poured fondant, on the other hand, is a creamy confection that is often used to coat petit fours and pastries.
How is Fondant Used?
When using rolled fondant, pastry artists typically knead it until it is pliable, then roll it out with a rolling pin to cover a cake smoothly. Not only does it provide an elegant cake surface, it can also be shaped into various figures, flowers, and other decorations to adorn desserts. Fondant can't be applied directly to a cake, however, and must be applied over a coat of buttercream or filling so that it sticks securely to the cake.
Flavor and Coloring
Fondant is naturally sweet due to its high sugar content. It is essentially a supersaturated sugar solution and can be flavored with extracts such as vanilla, almond, or citrus to add a delicious twist. Fondant can also be colored to achieve various vibrant hues to decorate with. You'll receive both white and pre-colored fondant in each My Cake-in-a-Box kit.
Tips for Working with Fondant
Working with fondant can be a bit tricky for the uninitiated, but with practice and patience, anyone can master the art of fondant decorating. Some tips include:
- Keeping your work surface and hands clean, dry and lightly dusted with corn starch (dusting pouf included in your kit) or powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- If you aren't working with the fondant, keep it in a sealed container/bag because it can dry out fast. If this happens, and it starts to crack, feel free to knead a small amount of shortening into it.
- Use a fondant smoother (our cake server works great) to achieve a flawless finish on cakes. We include both a cornstarch dusting pouf and smoother in every My Cake-in-a-Box kit.
Can you Make Your Own?
After using fondant in our kits, why not try your hand at creating your own fondant masterpiece? I got my start making marshmallow-based fondant for my daughter's birthday parties! Now, however, I make fondant like the professionals use. It provides a stiffer texture, but I still love the taste of DIY marshmallow recipes. Regardless of whether you're a sugar craft enthusiast or a professional pastry chef, fondant is a fun and versatile medium that allows endless creativity in the world of cake decorating. Enjoy the journey and try one of our special edition kits!