Wasting Fondant

Decorating By dmaam Updated 5 Aug 2006 , 9:29pm by fantasy_art

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dmaam Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 5:35am
post #1 of 22

I was wondering... how do you know how much fondant you will need for each project? Does a lot of fondant go wasted?

I apologize if this is a stupid question, but I am a newbie wondering since I am covering my first cake tomorrow (9 x 13) and some figurines will also be the same color - so how do you know how much fondant to color?

Thank you for your time and advice. All of you on Cake Central are the greatest!!!!

Michelle

21 replies
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mookey Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 5:45am
post #2 of 22

i always just make the standard batch and color it after i do everything depending on how much im doing with each color. and fondant freezes well, so you dont have to waste any. im still new too so a lot of other people know a lot more than me, but i hope that helps....

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Annalisa Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 5:46am
post #3 of 22

I usually just guess how much I need, and I usually end up with a lot of left overs.

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Annalisa Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 5:48am
post #4 of 22

Thanks for the tip Mookey I didn't know you could freeze it will try that in future

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SLK Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 5:54am
post #5 of 22

That's funny. I was on another thread just yesterday that said you cannot freeze fondant.

I'm glad to know you do it and it works well for you!!!

I too just guess most of the time. If I'm doing a cake with lots of colors, I will use the fondant chart in the wilton yearbooks to estimate what I need. That may be a good place to start.

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kakedecorator Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 6:02am
post #6 of 22

When you buy the Wilton fondant it there is a paper enclosed with a page that has a chart on it that gives cake sizes and how much fondant to use. They don't have a 9 X 13, but a 12" square 4" high uses 72 oz.
I just guesstimate. Any that you trim off can be reused. I also roll mine to the thickness of a nickle.

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mckaren Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 8:05am
post #7 of 22

Here is a guide that I got from a British website. I follow it religously now and i always have enough fondant - if there's any left over I save it for the next one.
Hope it helps!

Sugarpaste
Please find below a guide to how much sugarpaste is required for covering comfortably a variety of cakes.

ROUND
6" - 500grms, 7" - 500grms,
8" 750grms, 9" - 1kg
10" - 1.25kg, 11" - 1.5kg
12" - 1.75kg

SQUARE
6" - 500grms, 7" - 750grms,
8" - 1kg, 9" - 1.25kg,
10" - 1.5kg, 11" - 1.75kg,
12" - 2kg

OBLONG
8" x 10" 1.25kg
10" x 12" 1.75kg
9" x 13" 1.75kg

OVAL
6" x 4" 500grms
8" x 6" 500grms
10" x 8" 1kg
12" x 10" 1.5kg

HEXAGON
Same as round if measured point to point.

HEART
Same as round.

PETAL
Same as round

WILTON PANS
All the Wilton pans, unless miniature, take 1kg of sugarpaste to cover them.

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mbelgard Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 1:25pm
post #8 of 22

I put my leftovers in plastic bags and then into an airtight container and it lasts for a couple weeks without drying out. I always make more than I need because I'm afraid of running out of the color I need and then not being able to color match a new batch.

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ge978 Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 1:30pm
post #9 of 22

If you have fondant scraps left over you could always make pearls, flowers, etc & then put them in an airtight container and store them. That way you have some "just in case" decorations made up ahead of time.

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missyjo30 Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 1:38pm
post #10 of 22

No you cannot freeze most fondant. It should be stored in an airtight container. I know what you mean about wasting. i always just put the leftovers in a zip lock and when I need that color next time, I have it. or I can mix it with other colors.

Good luck

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dodibug Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 1:45pm
post #11 of 22

Here you go:

http://www.wilton.com/wedding/makecake/fondant/fondantamounts.cfm

This will give you the fondant amounts. It says on the wilton site not to freeze or refridgerate fondant. I store my marshmallow fondant in plastic wrap and then foil then into a baggie. Last a long time. I would highly recommend making your own mmf. Tastes so much better that the pre-made stuff.

Also makes sure you give your figures plenty of drying time or they won't behave. It can take days for some figures to dry properly.

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dmaam Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 1:56pm
post #12 of 22

Thank you all for your help on this fondant wasting question. It amazes me to see the wonderful, helpful people on this website. I would just like to say, "thank you" because this "newbie" would not know 95% of the cake tid-bit that I know now without your help.

I think that the people and this website are great!

I will look in my Wilton yearbook and dive in - on my first fondant cake. Hopefully, covering it today - in this heat wave - it will be dry by tomorrow afternoon...

Thank you again,
Michelle

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MainCake Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 1:56pm
post #13 of 22

How long will MMF last and still be edible when stored in airtight containers? I made a batch for a baby shower cake on 7/2/06 and I still have it sitting in the cupboard. I have another baby shower cake due on Monday. and I was wondering if I can still use it or should I throw it out and make a new batch...?

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MainCake Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 1:57pm
post #14 of 22

Oh yeah, also wanted to say that I have frozen and reused Wilton fondant before with no problems. But I've never tried freezing MMF...

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dodibug Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 2:04pm
post #15 of 22

rvalle- your fondant should still be fine. You may have some dry spots,just pull those off and toss. Put it in the microwave for about 4-5 sec. and you may have to knead in some crisco but it should be just fine.

dmaam-you don't want your cake to be dry just your figures. The thin layer of buttercream you apply to the cake will keep the fondant from drying out so you will be able to cut it easily when you cut the cake.

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MomLittr Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 2:15pm
post #16 of 22

What a great idea about making pearls & flowers from leftover fondant!

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Chole Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 2:42pm
post #17 of 22

I am also a newbie and I am doing my first mmf cake next week. I thank you all for your comments, I learned alot! thumbs_up.gifthumbs_up.gif

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MainCake Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 7:41pm
post #18 of 22

thanks dodibug. I just didn't want anyone getting sick from old MMF, least of all the mommy-to-be!

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DianaMarieMTV Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 7:50pm
post #19 of 22

So I have always just used MMF since everyone complains about the taste of Wilton fondant. I bought some of the Wilton stuff today thinking it couldn't be as bad as everyone made it out to be. Just tasted it....and IT IS TERRIBLE!!!!!!!! How can people use this on cakes and be taken seriously as decorators when it tastes aweful? ....glad I used a coupon and only paid three bucks for that junk....

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Chole Posted 3 Aug 2006 , 7:51pm
post #20 of 22

I am not buying that!!! Thanks for the info...

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mookey Posted 5 Aug 2006 , 8:19pm
post #21 of 22

i know a lot of people say you cant freeze mmf or fondant, but i have always been able to freeze mine and never had a problem....im still new at this but i seriously havent had any problems, it still tasted fine and everything... i just wrap it in saran wrap then put it in a baggie.... i cant imagine why you wouldnt be able to freeze it......

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fantasy_art Posted 5 Aug 2006 , 9:29pm
post #22 of 22

I've frozen fondant in the past and it has always been fine. Here is my only thought about frozen fondant. I have heard of people making large batches of fondant for the purpose of freezing so they always have some premade. Here's my thought. Why? With the time it takes to work the fondant out and get it soft and pliable, you could have made a new batch and have been ready to work. Personally the only reason I freeze fondant is I have excessive scraps.My neice and nephew like to use it like modeling clay plus its edible shhh.gif

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