I am making a groom's cake and most of it will be black. I have tons of white fondant, but little money to go out and buy ready made black fondant (for the amount I need). I have tried with what I have at home, but I am getting a dark gray. What can I do? I am afraid to buy edible spray and I am still paying for my airbrush machine (lay away). Do I have any options; is the spray my best bet right now?? Thanks for reading.

Really, you've discovered the gray problem with trying to do it yourself. By the time you get enough ye into the fondant to make it black, you will have changed the texture of the fondant to the point where it approaches unusable.

1. Only use powdered color.
2. Best bet, buy it.

The only way that I've had success with black fondant is
1-buy it, its such a hassle!!
2-start with chocolate fondant (I find I can make this myself from cocoa, marshmallows and powdered sugar) and add a ton of black color. This stuff is not the same as regular fondant, its sticky and it never sets hard.

Good luck!

I agree about changing the texture after adding the color to the fondant. I had to make navy blue (really darK). I got my color but it took so much paste and gel that the fondant texture was very sticky. I added powdered sugar to stiffen the fondant. I'm glad I was only making some bow loops and fondant ribbon.

I agree, I only buy black fondant...pain I know, but I keep that in mind when I'm pricing the cake.

Yes, I knew that adding black to white would make gray, but I thought maybe if I added some brown and blue, I'd get a darker color. Oh well. I also don't want to add too much to change the texture. What I have now at least is not going to go to waste. I'm not sure I will have the time to try the chocolate mmf for this cake. Thanks for the tips, I figure the best bet will be to buy. This cake is for two weeks from now, so I will be able to "splurge" a little on cake supplies. I am not charging for this cake, though because it's for my fiance for our wedding...LOL, so I can't really charge myself! Ha ha ha! Thanks for the help!!!

I make black all the time, just color it a dark gray (too much color will ruin the fondant) and let is sit for at least a day, 2-3 if you have the time.
The color will darken and develop over time.
I've never purchased black fondant ,all the black cakes in my album are made with Americolor Super Black if you want to take a look.

I am with CakeMommyTX, Americolor Super Black, let it sit to deepen the colors, you don't have to use a ton.

Thanks CakemommyTX and Kerri729!! I may just try this!

I buy my black fondant. CakesbySam.com is a great source for Satin Ice.

If you have two weeks before the cake is due, you have plenty of time to make chocolate MMF. It's really not that hard, and I find it's the only way to get black, unless you are willing to buy.
I shudder every time I get an order for black. It's such a pain!!

I've heard the exorbitant food color needed to make black makes the fondant taste badly, too..

I agree, buy it.

I have never bought black either. I use Chefmaster coal black. It does break down the fondant a little, but I don't really have any complaints. It was about 13.00 for a 20oz jar. It has lasted me forever because you don't need as much to get a great black. I used it for my ladybug in my pics.
Good Luck!

I have had trouble in the past with black but i found a great recipe on here for mmf. You melt chocolate chips in with the marshmallows and then it takes far less food coloring aqnd doesnt change the texture. Its great!!

Stupid question...If everyone agrees that Satin Ice makes a good black fondant, what do you think that they do different to get it that way?