Fondant Vs Buttercream Expectations

Business By mkirby Updated 8 Mar 2013 , 8:28pm by Annabakescakes

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costumeczar Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 11:28pm
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Personally, I don't like to eat fondant along with cake, it just makes it all too sweet. Too much of a sugar bomb. I make my own fondant and I think it tastes good, but I prefer the cake to be not as sweet, and not chewy. I think for a lot of people it's the texture that puts them off more than the flavor.

 

i once had a conversation with my Staples account manager, and he started ranting and raving about how much he loved fondant. He went on and on, and I told him that he was the first person I had spoken to who loved it that much.

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kikiandkyle Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 11:33pm
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I can't remember the last time I had fondant on a cake that someone else made actually, but whenever I cover my cakes with it it's thin enough that it pretty much melts in the mouth. Or maybe my buttercream is just so greasy that it melts the fondant icon_redface.gif

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mcaulir Posted 6 Mar 2013 , 11:37pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by howsweet 

 

Leah, if you're saying anything that's edible is meant to be eaten, well, that's "just silly", to use your words. Not many people are going to eat the hardened fondant tylose decorations on cake, for example.


I'm afraid some of you are not informed on the subject of fondant. If you mean nowadays most people think fondant is to be eaten, then I would have to agree. But if you think it tastes good on cake, I have to assume you've not have good cake.  It used to be well known that fondant was either removed before serving or left on the plate. This has changed, not so much because fondant has become more palatable in some cases, but because of the competitive bridal market.  The way fondant started being considered something to be eaten was that people in the wedding cake business used "better fondant" as leverage to entice customers to use them over another bakery. As in, "Use us, we make it with real chocolate:"

 

Most people don't like it and I'm sure as heck not going to tell them they should. I can't imagine suggesting to a customer that something that tastes like tootsie tolls or starburst would complement my cake. And just because a person on this forum gets jumped on when they say fondant is not good, doesn't mean they are wrong.

 

Only in the US. In other countries where fondant is a lot more traditional, it's enjoyed and disliked in about equal measure, I think. It's certainly not 'meant to be left on the plate or peeled off the whole cake before cutting. How on earth would you do that, anyway? And I can assure you that I've had very good cake.

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SoDivine Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 7:04am
post #34 of 63

A

Original message sent by mcaulir

Only in the US. In other countries where fondant is a lot more traditional, it's enjoyed and disliked in about equal measure, I think. It's certainly not 'meant to be left on the plate or peeled off the whole cake before cutting. How on earth would you do that, anyway? And I can assure you that I've had very good cake.

Thank you.

Fondant is not an American custom. So I can appreciate if it is alien to many along with the taste. It is a European and particularly a British custom as we really don't do buttercream cakes. It's a rarity if someone specifically asks for a cake in buttercream. We don't have discussions about whether it should be eaten - it gets eaten as part of the cake. And our cakes are good quality scratch cakes (in the main!). It is not because our cakes "don't taste good". There are of course people that don't like to eat it and as with any other "food" item that is a personal choice. There are people here who can bear buttercream and scrape it all off before eating the cake. I can't think for the life of me who decided that sugarpaste was not meant to be eaten. Considering that sugar craft and sugarpaste are both of British origin and I have never heard that in all my years, and never in all the years I grew up with my mum doing cake, in my opinion it is factually incorrect.

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jennicake Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 7:12am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar 

Personally, I don't like to eat fondant along with cake, it just makes it all too sweet. Too much of a sugar bomb. I make my own fondant and I think it tastes good, but I prefer the cake to be not as sweet, and not chewy. I think for a lot of people it's the texture that puts them off more than the flavor.

I agree with this.  I constantly snack on my fondant when I make it (horrible habit, I know... but it tastes so good!) but the second it's on a cake and more than little nibbles enter my mouth, I cant stand it.  It is absolutely because of the texture.

 

I get the same reaction when I have other people sample my fondant too.  They love the fondant on its own, but dont enjoy it on a cake.  

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SugaredSaffron Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 8:11am
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Thin-ish sugarpaste on a ganached cake taste lovely, it's supposed to be eaten! There's usually a few people at the party/wedding who will ask for other peoples icing. Buttercream cakes are starting to trend here a bit with the younger brides, not necessarily because they don't like sugarpaste, but because they are on pinterest all the time!  They don't want it to look like sugarpaste though, it needs to look like buttercream. I think marzipan is much more divisive then sugarpaste!
 

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cazza1 Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 9:11am
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I can only presume that most of these posts about fondant tasting awful are coming from Americans who have grown up with buttercream.  Here in Australia fondant has been used for special occasion cakes for so many years that it is considered the norm.  Virtually everyone I know eats it and enjoys it and think I am crazy cos I don't.  The almond icing has disappeared from underneath it because so many people didn't like that but the fondant has stayed.

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costumeczar Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 12:17pm
post #38 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by cazza1 

I can only presume that most of these posts about fondant tasting awful are coming from Americans who have grown up with buttercream.  Here in Australia fondant has been used for special occasion cakes for so many years that it is considered the norm.  Virtually everyone I know eats it and enjoys it and think I am crazy cos I don't.  The almond icing has disappeared from underneath it because so many people didn't like that but the fondant has stayed.

This is probably right, fondant is relatively new here. I think it's funny that brides in the UK are asking for buttcream because it's all over pinterest, because all I see on pinterest is fondant! 

 

As far as marzipan goes, I can eat that any day, but again, maybe not on a cake so much. Texture is the issue for me. But then again, I also pick the green peppers out of food and don't eat it, but I don't think anyone other than myself would argue that they're not edible. Food is personal preference, so to get all worked up about people not liking something is pretty much a total waste of time.

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FromScratchSF Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 3:30pm
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I really think it all depends on the fondant you use.  I had a meeting with a hotel manager to get on their preferred vendor list.  I brought cake, mini pies. and some sugar cookies.  The 1st thing he grabbed was a sugar cookie and started proclaiming it one of the best cookies he's ever eaten.  While munching, he started firing off questions about my cake.  Then he says (while grabbing for a 3rd cookie), "fondant is disgusting, we always tell brides they should get buttercream cakes.".  I'm like, but you love my cookies, right?  Because the icing on them is my fondant.

 

He stops, looks at the cookie, then puts it down.  Looks at me, looks at the cookie, pauses a second, picks it back up, takes another big bite and says, "Well, I guess I'll start telling them to go to you for an awesome fondant cake!"

 

I make a lot of buttercream for sure, but I rarely see the fondant go uneaten when it's rolled at 1/16" an inch and it's fondant of good quality (or homemade).  It especially helps if you add some flavor to compliment the cake like some lemon or almond oil.  Lemon fondant on a sugar cookie is super tasty.

 

But let me tell you, I hate melon.  All melon.  Yuck.  And mango.  And shrimp.  Ug, I can't eat a dish that has shrimp in it, I don't even want it on my plate.  I've had it shoved in my face prepared at 5 start restaurants and guess what?  Still hate it.  So to each their own! 

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-K8memphis Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 3:54pm
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yeah not a big fan of shrimp fondant either

 

and eating fondant on a cookie is a much different mouth feel than eating fondant on a cake serving--

 

americans are used to cake melting in their mouth--yes the thinner the better on the fondant for sure--

 

so long as it does not perform like chewy fondant in our mouths and melds with the icing we like it better imo

 

on a tv special about disney facilities once they showed the servers removing the fondant and tossing it in the can as part of the service--weird

 

y'know what though--i often leave the buttercream on my plate -- i just want cake & filling

 

i love dry crunchy fondant flowers & petals & stuff --not shrimp flavored though icon_biggrin.gif

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kikiandkyle Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 4:07pm
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Not a fan of shrimp either, or wine. Or coffee. I had to start making cakes so people would still invite me over for dinner.

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Annabakescakes Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 7:55pm
post #42 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by costumeczar 

This is probably right, fondant is relatively new here. I think it's funny that brides in the UK are asking for buttcream because it's all over pinterest, because all I see on pinterest is fondant! 

 

As far as marzipan goes, I can eat that any day, but again, maybe not on a cake so much. Texture is the issue for me. But then again, I also pick the green peppers out of food and don't eat it, but I don't think anyone other than myself would argue that they're not edible. Food is personal preference, so to get all worked up about people not liking something is pretty much a total waste of time.

I am right there with you on that one! I call it "picking the boogers out of it. I hate the texture of onions, too, but love the flavor they give food. I will sprinkle onion powder on anything savory, and cook caramelized onions in my soups and stews, then pick them out at the table ;-D

Quote:
Originally Posted by FromScratchSF 

I really think it all depends on the fondant you use.  I had a meeting with a hotel manager to get on their preferred vendor list.  I brought cake, mini pies. and some sugar cookies.  The 1st thing he grabbed was a sugar cookie and started proclaiming it one of the best cookies he's ever eaten.  While munching, he started firing off questions about my cake.  Then he says (while grabbing for a 3rd cookie), "fondant is disgusting, we always tell brides they should get buttercream cakes.".  I'm like, but you love my cookies, right?  Because the icing on them is my fondant.

 

He stops, looks at the cookie, then puts it down.  Looks at me, looks at the cookie, pauses a second, picks it back up, takes another big bite and says, "Well, I guess I'll start telling them to go to you for an awesome fondant cake!"

 

I make a lot of buttercream for sure, but I rarely see the fondant go uneaten when it's rolled at 1/16" an inch and it's fondant of good quality (or homemade).  It especially helps if you add some flavor to compliment the cake like some lemon or almond oil.  Lemon fondant on a sugar cookie is super tasty.

 

But let me tell you, I hate melon.  All melon.  Yuck.  And mango.  And shrimp.  Ug, I can't eat a dish that has shrimp in it, I don't even want it on my plate.  I've had it shoved in my face prepared at 5 start restaurants and guess what?  Still hate it.  So to each their own! 

Ditto on the cookies with fondant! YUM! I have the best butter cookie, and with a thin piece of fondant, stuck down with a schmear of buttercream, TO DIE FOR! 

Quote:
Originally Posted by -K8memphis 

yeah not a big fan of shrimp fondant either

 

and eating fondant on a cookie is a much different mouth feel than eating fondant on a cake serving--

 

americans are used to cake melting in their mouth--yes the thinner the better on the fondant for sure--

 

so long as it does not perform like chewy fondant in our mouths and melds with the icing we like it better imo

 

on a tv special about disney facilities once they showed the servers removing the fondant and tossing it in the can as part of the service--weird

 

y'know what though--i often leave the buttercream on my plate -- i just want cake & filling

 

i love dry crunchy fondant flowers & petals & stuff --not shrimp flavored though icon_biggrin.gif

I would be up outta chair if I saw them do that to one of my cakes, I wonder if they use Wilton Fondant? BLEH!!

 

And I scrape 99% of my buttercream off, and just leave the thinnest smear of it. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by kikiandkyle 

Not a fan of shrimp either, or wine. Or coffee. I had to start making cakes so people would still invite me over for dinner.

I am on my 3rd cup of coffee today. I LOVE it! I brewed it right before bed last night, and had a cup then, too! YUM!

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Paperfishies Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 11:02pm
post #43 of 63

Now see, that is the main reason I love fondant on cakes, I love the difference in texture.  

Quote:
Originally Posted by jennicake 

I agree with this.  I constantly snack on my fondant when I make it (horrible habit, I know... but it tastes so good!) but the second it's on a cake and more than little nibbles enter my mouth, I cant stand it.  It is absolutely because of the texture.

 

I get the same reaction when I have other people sample my fondant too.  They love the fondant on its own, but dont enjoy it on a cake.  

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jennicake Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 11:10pm
post #44 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by -K8memphis 

yeah not a big fan of shrimp fondant either

 

 

K8, this made me laugh SO hard!  It got me thinking though, I know there are some countries that love to make flavours of ice cream that we would think are disgusting.  I wonder if shrimp fondant is appealing over there.

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paperfishies 

Now see, that is the main reason I love fondant on cakes, I love the difference in texture.  

 

Now that you mention it, I do like eating a freshly covered fondant cake (dont ask how or why this has happened lol).  But once I let my fondant dry and the texture changes is when it bugs me.  I wonder if there is a way for me to prevent my fondant from drying out other than using MMF.  

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AZCouture Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 11:40pm
post #45 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by FromScratchSF 

I make a lot of buttercream for sure, but I rarely see the fondant go uneaten when it's rolled at 1/16" an inch and it's fondant of good quality (or homemade). 

 

Amen! That's what I aim for usually, 1/16th. Sometimes I just can't, but that's what I aim for. And I flavor mine with a splash of almond oil. Honestly, the only time I've ever said the fondant was tasty is when it's MINE, or that Carma fondant we used in San Francisco.

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AZCouture Posted 7 Mar 2013 , 11:42pm
post #46 of 63

BIG coffee drinker here. Favorite Christmas present this year? A bag of Kona Coffee from Hawaii in the mailbox every other month. If that's not what is brewing, it's Dunkin Donuts. I have to buy about 6 giant bags a month from Sam's Club. It's my vice.

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-K8memphis Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 12:44am
post #47 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennicake 

 

K8, this made me laugh SO hard!  It got me thinking though, I know there are some countries that love to make flavours of ice cream that we would think are disgusting.  I wonder if shrimp fondant is appealing over there.

 

 

 

yay!!! you made my day!!!~~~

 

yes like squid ink ice cream oh my soul! just saying it hurts

 

squid ink anything would have to be slowly seriously considered by me before consuming--

 

but si ice cream? whoa stop the bus this is my exit ;)

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kikiandkyle Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 2:32am
post #48 of 63

There are some of those ice cream places here too, I've seen them on Food Network. I don't think I'll be visiting any of them anytime soon, but it is my mission in life to try a salty pimp next time I'm in NYC 

 

http://biggayicecream.com/treats/

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Annabakescakes Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 3:14am
post #49 of 63
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Annabakescakes Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 3:18am
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I just have to say, no fricken way! I barely worked up enough nerve to taste my own, and when I babysat, I didn't touch the mother's milk I was given, just thawed it in warm water, and gave it to baby. I used a paper towel to wash the bottle, since I didn't even want it on my family's dish rag, lol! 

 

BTW, I am all for breast feeding babies, I nursed my twins 12 months, my daughter 18 months, and my last son 26 months. Yes, that is 2 years 2 months. And he is 4 (this month) and has never been sick besides a sniffle or two. He has thrown up about 3 times in his life. 

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kikiandkyle Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 3:46am
post #51 of 63

I never tasted my own even! 

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Annabakescakes Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 4:01am
post #52 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by kikiandkyle 

I never tasted my own even! 

I don't blame you! It was a single drop, it was on a dare, and I used to do just about anything on a dare, I even ate a lighting bug, once. NASTY, bitter, horrible little bug! The breast milk nearly killed me to try it, lol. 

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GixxerChick Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 1:25pm
post #53 of 63

Sixlets!!  White 10mm pearl Sixlets!!

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Annabakescakes Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 1:39pm
post #54 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by AZCouture 

BIG coffee drinker here. Favorite Christmas present this year? A bag of Kona Coffee from Hawaii in the mailbox every other month. If that's not what is brewing, it's Dunkin Donuts. I have to buy about 6 giant bags a month from Sam's Club. It's my vice.

I LOVE Dunkin' Donuts, that is what we get, we switch between the regular and French Vanilla. DH drinks it black, but I use cream and sugar. I think it is what is making me fat, since I eat healthyish, and get a little exercise, here and there... ! I drink 2-5 cups a day, good and STRONG! We buy a giant bag a week. 

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Annabakescakes Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 1:40pm
post #55 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by GixxerChick 

Sixlets!!  White 10mm pearl Sixlets!!

What is this in regards to? lol 

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GixxerChick Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 1:48pm
post #56 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoDivine 


Thank you.

Fondant is not an American custom. So I can appreciate if it is alien to many along with the taste. It is a European and particularly a British custom as we really don't do buttercream cakes. It's a rarity if someone specifically asks for a cake in buttercream. We don't have discussions about whether it should be eaten - it gets eaten as part of the cake. And our cakes are good quality scratch cakes (in the main!). It is not because our cakes "don't taste good". There are of course people that don't like to eat it and as with any other "food" item that is a personal choice. There are people here who can bear buttercream and scrape it all off before eating the cake. I can't think for the life of me who decided that sugarpaste was not meant to be eaten. Considering that sugar craft and sugarpaste are both of British origin and I have never heard that in all my years, and never in all the years I grew up with my mum doing cake, in my opinion it is factually incorrect.

 

In one of my early morning "humorous" moods that most other people don't find humorous.  I can't help but think there is a joke here somewhere...
In the UK, don't you also eat things that have names like "spotted dick"?

Enough said.

Now, I know "someone" will take offense to that, but its a JOKE people!  So don't get your panties all in a bunch over it.   And before the word "dick" gets booted by the moderator...let me say that I'm obviously NOT referring to the male body part, but rather a "food" item eaten primarily in the UK.

 

Takes all the fun out of a joke when you have to "explain" yourself so no one gets all offended about it.

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GixxerChick Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 1:49pm
post #57 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annabakescakes 

What is this in regards to? lol 

Oh...I dunno, the original post maybe?  LOL  Something about what to use as pearls...or something like that if I remember right?  lol

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kikiandkyle Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 4:17pm
post #58 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by GixxerChick 

 

In one of my early morning "humorous" moods that most other people don't find humorous.  I can't help but think there is a joke here somewhere...
In the UK, don't you also eat things that have names like "spotted dick"?

Enough said.

Now, I know "someone" will take offense to that, but its a JOKE people!  So don't get your panties all in a bunch over it.   And before the word "dick" gets booted by the moderator...let me say that I'm obviously NOT referring to the male body part, but rather a "food" item eaten primarily in the UK.

 

Takes all the fun out of a joke when you have to "explain" yourself so no one gets all offended about it.

I'm British. Why do you think I left?! icon_biggrin.gif

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SugaredSaffron Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 8:02pm
post #59 of 63

Us brits are well known for our humour, but if we're on the subject of funny food, don't you guys eat that stuff called Crisco-cream? Now THAT is stuff is not meant to be consumed.
 

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AZCouture Posted 8 Mar 2013 , 8:06pm
post #60 of 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by SugaredSaffron 

Us brits are well known for our humour, but if we're on the subject of funny food, don't you guys eat that stuff called Crisco-cream? Now THAT is stuff is not meant to be consumed.
 

Not this Yank! I'd rather have squid ink ice cream than eat that!

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