Make Or Buy Fondant

Decorating By crustdust Updated 12 Aug 2013 , 1:17am by MBalaska

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crustdust Posted 15 Feb 2013 , 2:06pm
post #1 of 37

AGood Morning, I am new to this forum (not new to baking though) and I have a question regarding Fondant. I am not big into fondant but it seems like I am getting more and more requests for cakes decorated with Fondant. I actually made a real cute Flower cake a couple of days ago but now thinking about it, it might would have been nicer if it was covered in Fondant.

Anyhow, is it worth it making your own fondant? Or should I go ahead and just buy it? Thank you so much :)

Here is a picture of the cake I made :)

[IMG]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/2922505/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

And the inside

[IMG]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/2922506/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

36 replies
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Izzy Sweet Posted 15 Feb 2013 , 2:30pm
post #2 of 37

I am very new to fondant as well and I have to say the Marshmallow fondant is way easy.It is cheap to make and easy to make.It makes it so even people like myself can play with fondant.I have even played with putting flavors into it for the people that do not want just normal. Look up a recipe and go for it, you really will be satisfied.

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uberathlete Posted 15 Feb 2013 , 2:35pm
post #3 of 37

It's all about time. Fondant recipes are generally easy to make, but the time it takes to look up the recipe, buy ingredients, prep utensils, prep ingredients, mixing, cleanup, etc. can be not worthwhile to some people. So if you have time and price that extra time into your cakes, then go for it. If it's one more headache, then buy it.

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crustdust Posted 15 Feb 2013 , 2:40pm
post #4 of 37

AThank you for your response. Is there a go to recipe for marshmallow fondant?

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Izzy Sweet Posted 15 Feb 2013 , 2:45pm
post #5 of 37

I use this one...there are so many out there and most are the same..

http://whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/Fondant.htm

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letsgetcaking Posted 15 Feb 2013 , 2:48pm
post #6 of 37

This is my favorite MMF recipe:

http://cakecentral.com/recipe/rhondas-ultimate-mmf

I like it because it's not as sickly sweet as a basic MMF recipe (the lemon juice and salt cut the sweetness), and I usually have the ingredients on hand. I've used it to cover wedding cakes and to make ruffles. It works well.

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LoveMeSomeCake615 Posted 15 Feb 2013 , 4:28pm
post #7 of 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by uberathlete 

It's all about time. Fondant recipes are generally easy to make, but the time it takes to look up the recipe, buy ingredients, prep utensils, prep ingredients, mixing, cleanup, etc. can be not worthwhile to some people. So if you have time and price that extra time into your cakes, then go for it. If it's one more headache, then buy it.

This. We used to make our own fondant (usually MMF, sometimes MFF) but once we opened a storefront, it made more sense to save time by buying it. 

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crustdust Posted 15 Feb 2013 , 4:40pm
post #8 of 37

ALike I said, I am just getting started with Fondant and don't wanna waste lots of money. I will probably try the Marshmallow recipe instead of buying Glucose and all those ingredients wilton calls for

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AlyT Posted 16 Feb 2013 , 6:14pm
post #9 of 37

AMake it! Mmf fun and easy. I make mine.

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sweetheart1978 Posted 16 Feb 2013 , 6:45pm
post #10 of 37

If i make a cake with a fresh cream filling and is covered in fondant, how do i go about storing it until the next day? Coz i've seen many threads saying that the condensation after taking out of the fridge can spoil the work on the fondant. Please Help! xx

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Norasmom Posted 16 Feb 2013 , 8:58pm
post #11 of 37

MMF is very messy and sticky and takes a long time to clean up, but it's inexpensive.  Michelle Foster's Fondant, although having many ingredients, is easy, delicious and doesn't take half the time to clean up when done.  

I will never purchase fondant again, it's too expensive.

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crustdust Posted 16 Feb 2013 , 9:01pm
post #12 of 37

A

Original message sent by Norasmom

MMF is very messy and sticky and takes a long time to clean up, but it's inexpensive.  Michelle Foster's Fondant, although having many ingredients, is easy, delicious and doesn't take half the time to clean up when done.   I will never purchase fondant again, it's too expensive.

Thank you. Please remind me again, which one is her recipe?

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Norasmom Posted 16 Feb 2013 , 9:09pm
post #13 of 37

It's on here, just do a search for Michelle Foster Fondant.

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Vista Posted 16 Feb 2013 , 9:47pm
post #14 of 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetheart1978 

If i make a cake with a fresh cream filling and is covered in fondant, how do i go about storing it until the next day? Coz i've seen many threads saying that the condensation after taking out of the fridge can spoil the work on the fondant. Please Help! xx


I refrigerate all my cakes, even fondant.  It will get condensation on it, just don't touch it, it will dry and be good as new. icon_smile.gif

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mhcl Posted 17 Feb 2013 , 1:07am
post #15 of 37

I agree that the MMF is way more messy. There may be more ingredients and more steps to MFF but I recommend it.  I made MFF a couple days ago for the first time and I am in love!  I didn't cover a cake in it so I can't comment on that but I did use it for accents.  The texture was wonderful which made kneading it feel calming, which we sometimes need in caking, don't weicon_razz.gif  It was also easier for me tocolor and roll out than MMF.  I suggest you make both of them once and see what works for you best.  On the other hand, if I owned a storefront that covered the cost of buying it, I would totally buy iticon_wink.gif

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sweetheart1978 Posted 17 Feb 2013 , 10:48am
post #16 of 37

I've read that mixing some shortening with the fondant makes it more pilable, but i'm in UK and can't seem to find it anywhere in the stores. Is there anyone from the UK on this forum who can help me with this please? Even if there is an alternative to shortening. I'm new to using fondant so don't want to mess up, esp because i'm going to be making a celebration cake soon to feed 60+ guests. Please Help xx

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SystemMod2 Posted 17 Feb 2013 , 12:06pm
post #17 of 37

A

Original message sent by sweetheart1978

I've read that mixing some shortening with the fondant makes it more pilable, but i'm in UK and can't seem to find it anywhere in the stores. Is there anyone from the UK on this forum who can help me with this please? Even if there is an alternative to shortening. I'm new to using fondant so don't want to mess up, esp because i'm going to be making a celebration cake soon to feed 60+ guests. Please Help xx

Can you buy Trex? Apparently this is solid white vegetable fat in the UK...

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Bonnie151 Posted 17 Feb 2013 , 4:56pm
post #18 of 37

AWhite Flora is similar to shortening and easier to use than Trex. I find Trex a bit too solid- White Flora is a softer consistency.

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crustdust Posted 17 Feb 2013 , 7:05pm
post #19 of 37

AI am at Michaels right now and I am trying to find ingredients for fondant. God, I am so lost ;)

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Godot Posted 17 Feb 2013 , 7:12pm
post #20 of 37

We use purchased fondant (Renshaw). Consistent results, less bodily damage (less kneading), and, in the long run, cheaper - no clean up and fewer visits to the massage therapist.

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sweetheart1978 Posted 17 Feb 2013 , 8:41pm
post #21 of 37

Bonnie151 i've purchased Renshaws fondant, so would white flora or trex make it pilable but not too greasy?

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Bonnie151 Posted 17 Feb 2013 , 9:51pm
post #22 of 37

AShould do, just use a little bit at a time. I'm really not keen on Trex because I think it's too hard, but White Flora is nice and soft and easy to blend in.

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sweetheart1978 Posted 17 Feb 2013 , 10:07pm
post #23 of 37

I've just found Crisco online in a UK store, i can't believe it! I've ordered it so going to use that and see how it goes.

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ashlya Posted 17 Feb 2013 , 10:17pm
post #24 of 37

Marhsmallow fondant

1 bag of mini marshmallows

1 bag powder sugar

3 tblsp water

shortening

 

Pour marshmallows in microwave safe bowel. Add 3 tblsp water. Heat 2 min stopping every 30 sec to stir. Make sure you grease up your spoon with shortening because it does get sticky. Grease counter with shortening place a hefty pile of powder sugar on the greased counter and pour marshmallows on top of powder sugar. Grease up your hands with shortening real well. start with about 4 cups of sugar. work the sugar into marshmallow pile slowly at first because marshmallows will be hot.

When the mixture isn't sticky to the touch anymore you are done.

 

*Hint: If you want to add coloring to a whole batch you would do this by adding it to the marshmallows when it comes out of microwave. If you need several different colors leave it white and work color into each piece.
 

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sweetheart1978 Posted 18 Feb 2013 , 12:27pm
post #25 of 37

ashlya does it work with any marshmallows? We have some big chunky marshmallows here so wondering if i can use these instead of the mini ones.

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savannahquinn Posted 18 Feb 2013 , 2:22pm
post #26 of 37

i actually have more success with store brand than name brand. Maybe they have less air? Im not sure why.

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Annabakescakes Posted 18 Feb 2013 , 5:25pm
post #27 of 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by crustdust 

I am at Michaels right now and I am trying to find ingredients for fondant. God, I am so lost icon_wink.gif

Sorry, no help here! I make MFF, and the only thing I don't already have on hand is glycerin, and you can get that at Walmart. Since I do my caking at night, I find it is easier to just get use recipes that I can get the ingredients for at our 24 hour Walmart, rather than having to order, or go to specialty shops. I only go to Michaels for fun tools ;-)

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crustdust Posted 21 Feb 2013 , 7:41pm
post #28 of 37

AI really like the Marshmallow Fondant to cover cakes with but (and this could be my fault too) it seems very soft when it comes to making figurines. Should I use a different fondant when I would like to make figurines ? Thank you :)

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mhcl Posted 23 Feb 2013 , 12:38am
post #29 of 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by crustdust 

I really like the Marshmallow Fondant to cover cakes with but (and this could be my fault too) it seems very soft when it comes to making figurines. Should I use a different fondant when I would like to make figurines ? Thank you

Have you tried mixing it 50/50 with gumpaste? 

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crustdust Posted 23 Feb 2013 , 2:14am
post #30 of 37

AI used some marshmallow fondant today to make figurines and it worked really well. It almost seems like it needed to "rest" a couple of days :)

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