Fondant is a popular cake-decorating ingredient used to create smooth, professional-looking cakes and decorative designs. From birthday cakes and wedding cakes to cupcakes and celebration desserts, fondant allows bakers to create a wide variety of colours, shapes and finishes.
If you're new to working with fondant, don't worry. With the right preparation and techniques, you can create beautiful cake decorations at home or in a professional bakery.
What Is Fondant?
Fondant is a soft, pliable icing that can be rolled out and used to cover cakes or shaped into decorative elements.
It can be used to create:
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Smooth cake coverings
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Flowers
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Ribbons and bows
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Characters and figurines
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Letters and numbers
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Shapes and patterns
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Cake toppers
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Decorative details
Fondant is available in a variety of colours, and white fondant can also be coloured to match your cake design.
What You Need
Before starting, prepare the following:
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Fondant
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Cake
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Rolling pin
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Icing sugar or suitable anti-sticking powder
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Cake smoother
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Sharp knife or fondant cutter
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Fondant modelling tools
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Cornstarch or another suitable dusting powder, if appropriate
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Food colouring, if needed
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Small brush and edible glue or water for attaching decorations
A clean, smooth work surface is important because fondant can pick up dust, crumbs and other particles easily.
Step 1: Prepare Your Cake
Before covering your cake with fondant, make sure the cake is properly prepared.
A layer of buttercream or ganache can be applied around the cake to create a smooth surface and provide a base for the fondant.
Chill the cake if necessary so that the outer layer is firm before applying the fondant.
The smoother your cake underneath, the better the final fondant finish will look.
Step 2: Knead the Fondant
Take the required amount of fondant and knead it gently until it becomes soft, smooth and flexible.
If the fondant feels too firm, continue kneading it for a little longer. Avoid adding excessive dusting powder, as this can cause the fondant to become dry.
If you're using coloured fondant, make sure the colour is evenly distributed before rolling.
Step 3: Roll Out the Fondant
Lightly dust your work surface with a suitable anti-sticking powder and roll out the fondant evenly.
Try to maintain a consistent thickness throughout the sheet.
As a general guide, fondant used to cover cakes is often rolled to around 3–5 mm thick, depending on the product and your preferred finish.
Measure your cake before rolling so you have enough fondant to cover the top and sides with some extra around the edges.
Step 4: Cover the Cake
Carefully lift the rolled fondant and place it over the prepared cake.
Starting from the top, gently smooth the fondant over the cake surface.
Work down the sides gradually, using your hands or a cake smoother to remove air pockets and wrinkles.
Avoid pulling the fondant aggressively, as this can cause it to stretch and become uneven.
Step 5: Smooth and Trim
Once the fondant is covering the cake, use a cake smoother to create an even surface.
Work around the top and sides until you achieve the finish you want.
Use a sharp knife or fondant cutter to carefully remove excess fondant around the base of the cake.
For a professional finish, take your time around the edges and corners.
Step 6: Add Decorations
This is where you can get creative!
Roll out additional fondant and use cutters or modelling tools to create decorative elements such as:
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Flowers
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Leaves
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Stars
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Hearts
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Ribbons
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Numbers
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Letters
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Animals
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Characters
Small decorations can usually be attached using a tiny amount of water or edible glue.
For heavier decorations, allow the pieces to dry or firm up before placing them on the cake.
Step 7: Add Colour
Fondant can be coloured using food colouring specifically suitable for fondant or sugarcraft applications.
Add a small amount of colour at a time and knead thoroughly until the colour is evenly distributed.
Gel or concentrated food colours are often useful when you need stronger colours without adding too much liquid to the fondant.
Tips for Working with Fondant
Keep Your Work Surface Clean
Fondant can easily pick up crumbs, dust and other particles. Clean your work surface and tools before starting.
Avoid Too Much Dusting Powder
Too much powder can make fondant dry and affect its texture. Use only enough to prevent sticking.
Work Quickly but Carefully
Fondant can become difficult to handle if it is left exposed for too long. Keep unused fondant covered when you're not working with it.
Don't Stretch the Fondant
When covering a cake, gently guide the fondant down the sides rather than pulling it. Stretching can lead to thin areas and cracks.
Smooth in Stages
Don't try to flatten everything at once. Smooth the top first, then gradually work down the sides.
Common Fondant Problems
Fondant Is Cracking
This can happen when fondant becomes too dry or is overworked.
Try kneading it again and avoid excessive dusting powder.
Fondant Is Too Sticky
If fondant is sticking to your hands or work surface, allow it to rest briefly and use a small amount of suitable dusting powder.
Air Bubbles
Air bubbles can sometimes form when covering a cake. Small bubbles can be carefully released with a clean, fine tool before smoothing the area.
Wrinkles Around the Cake
Wrinkles often occur when fondant is pulled or not smoothed gradually. Work slowly from the top of the cake down the sides.
Can Fondant Be Used for Every Cake?
Fondant works particularly well with cakes that have a firm, smooth outer coating.
Before applying fondant, make sure your cake has a suitable layer of buttercream, ganache or another compatible coating.
Different fondant products can also have different characteristics, so always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for handling and application.
Final Thoughts
Fondant gives bakers the flexibility to create smooth cake finishes and detailed decorations in almost any colour or shape.
The key to successful fondant decoration is preparation. Start with a smooth cake, knead the fondant properly, roll it evenly and take your time when covering and smoothing the cake.
With a little practice, you can use fondant to transform a simple cake into a creative and professional-looking centrepiece.
Looking for quality fondant and cake-decorating ingredients? Explore our range of fondants, food colours and edible cake decorations for your next baking project.