Homemade Vs Purchased Fondant

Baking By dramagical Updated 25 Mar 2013 , 12:16pm by Lfredden

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dramagical Posted 28 Feb 2013 , 11:35pm
post #1 of 18

AHello all! I'm new to all of this and was wondering what are the main benefits of making your own fondant versus purchasing it. And is there a fondant brand that is considered the best for both taste and use?

Thank you so much, Jason

17 replies
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kikiandkyle Posted 28 Feb 2013 , 11:45pm
post #2 of 18

Personally I make my own fondant with marshmallows, it's way cheaper and it tastes nicer. But I don't make a lot of cakes. If I was using more than a couple of lbs at a time, and passing on the cost to a customer, I'd probably buy it just to save time if nothing else. 

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scrumdiddlycakes Posted 1 Mar 2013 , 12:12am
post #3 of 18

I usually buy it, 'carma massa ticino tropic' is the only brand I will work with now. Unless I am in a pinch, then I will get satin ice, since it is sold locally and carmas is not.

It's not as sweet as typical fondant, and is a dream to work with.

 

Personally, I hate marshmallow fondant, but I have been getting a lot of requests for it lately, since people read online that it is supposed to taste good.

I find it over the top sweet, but I'm not a fan of really sweet things, so that is a totally personal preference.

It is super cheap and easy to make, and my experience with it has been that it's easy to use.

 

The best thing you can do is experiment, different strokes for different folks :)

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dramagical Posted 1 Mar 2013 , 12:54am
post #4 of 18

AThanks so much. Curious as to what you don't like about MMF?

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cakefat Posted 1 Mar 2013 , 7:06am
post #5 of 18

I think it depends on your climate too. MMF doesn't like humidity whereas the carma massa ticino tropic is just fantastic to work with in high humidity. If the MMF worked better in my climate, I would be apt to use it more often but it's not as reliable. 

 

I have put in butter and/or vanilla flavoring into the MMF before and I thought it tasted great. The CMTT taste is just okay for me...better than Satin Ice or Wiltons but not as tasty (IMO) as the MMF I've made.

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DonnasDelites Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 12:27am
post #6 of 18

I've had some hits and misses with MMF along the way. One time it may roll out perfectly with just the right amount of elasticity. The next time it will crease, leather no matter what I do. Seems it works the best if marshmallows are cooled a bit before adding sifted confectioners sugar. I use corn starch for rolling it out.  I do not toss marshmallows with water before microwaving. If I am coloring the whole batch, I add color before adding sugar. If adding color after it is worked up, I make a paste with gel color and corn starch. I do have a lot of requests for it as well...

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gretch77 Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 1:27am
post #7 of 18

I have found Massa Americana the best tasting and easiest to work with.  I have made my own MMF and didn't like the way it turned out.

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Rezzie2 Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 2:07am
post #8 of 18

I'm in a warm and humid climate. I wasn't pleased with the workability when I made my own. I really like Fondarific. it tastes good and is beautiful to work with.

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Iru1230 Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 7:40am
post #9 of 18

AI hv used MMF(home made) n satin ice..i found both ok..if u r not in a hurry and reduce cost,mmf is good..but on the otherhand,satin ice works well..though i dnt knw to compare the cost betwwen same amounts of fondants of mmf n satin ice.. I guess theres no much of a difference too..

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Babbo Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 12:13pm
post #10 of 18

I Always buy mine, would not know where to start when making it!!

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Norasmom Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 12:57pm
post #11 of 18

For me, the best option is to make my own.  I make  Michelle Foster's Fondant, it is the best!  Upfront, the ingredients are a bit costly (glycerine, corn syrup, gelatin e.t.c.) but in the long run it is far cheaper to make your own and you will always have it on hand.  It also takes a bit of practice to get it to the right consistency.  

 

I love the taste of marshmallow fondant, but it is a sticky mess to make, so I avoid it!  It takes a long time to clean it up.

 

I tried Fondx and thought it smelled and tasted like chemicals.

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rica827 Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 4:46pm
post #12 of 18

I've tried MMF three different times now, and it's not worth the headache in my opinion. It's a giant, sticky, mess, and does not roll out well.  I can't seem to get rid of sugar clumps either.  It does taste much better, but I'd rather pop open a box of pre-made, pre-colored fondant and be on my way to decorating!  I pass the cost back to the customer in my pricing.

 

I tell people up front that fondant does not taste good. It's then their decision if they want it for "the look".  I use Wilton because it's the only one craft stores sell by me, but I'm tempted to try some of these other brands that I keep seeing mentioned in threads!
 

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kikiandkyle Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 11:46pm
post #13 of 18

When I make MMF I generously crisco up the jug I melt the marshmallows in, and the silicon spatula I use to stir them with. Then I grease up the counter, and make a big pile out of my powdered sugar and put the melted marshmallows in a well in the middle of the pile, folding the PS on to it until its no longer sticky and then I start touching it with my hands. I don't have any issues with it being sticky or messy when I make it that way, the only cleanup is throwing the jug and spatula in the dishwasher and wiping down the counter. 

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dramagical Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 6:18pm
post #14 of 18

AThank y'all so much for the information. It's SOOO helpful and much appreciated!!

Warmest regards - Jason

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Kima920 Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 7:18pm
post #15 of 18

I don't make mine anymore.. I used to..working full time now I don't have the time to make cakes and fondant from scratch.. so I use Satin Ice for cakes..Wilton for decorative pieces (dries hard) and I love Fondx..its really nice and they offer a lot of flavors. 

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Paperfishies Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 1:18am
post #16 of 18

IMO, Fondx is the best tasting icing. I don't use marshmallow fondant anymore because #1 I don't like the taste and #2 it's not vegetarian.

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priyamshah Posted 25 Mar 2013 , 11:42am
post #17 of 18

A

Original message sent by Norasmom

For me, the best option is to make my own.  I make  Michelle Foster's Fondant, it is the best!  Upfront, the ingredients are a bit costly (glycerine, corn syrup, gelatin e.t.c.) but in the long run it is far cheaper to make your own and you will always have it on hand.  It also takes a bit of practice to get it to the right consistency.  

I love the taste of marshmallow fondant, but it is a sticky mess to make, so I avoid it!  It takes a long time to clean it up.

I tried Fondx and thought it smelled and tasted like chemicals.

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Lfredden Posted 25 Mar 2013 , 12:16pm
post #18 of 18

I make my own when I'm practicing and buy Satin Ice when I'm making the real thing.  The commercial fondant has added ingredients that make the fondant more pliable and less prone to tearing.

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