Working with Fondant

Working with fondant is a fun way to make smooth cakes, cut-out decorations, flowers, stripes, dots, bows, and themed cake designs. Fondant can be rolled, shaped, cut with cookie cutters, wrapped around cakes, and used almost like edible modeling clay.

Fondant works well with traditional cake decorating too. You can cover a cake with fondant, then add piped borders, buttercream details, candy decorations, or simple toppers. If you are new to decorating, start with the main kids cake decorating ideas page first, then use this page to try fondant techniques.

You can buy ready-made fondant or make your own with homemade fondant recipes. Either way, the best way to learn is to practice with small pieces before covering a whole cake.

What Is Fondant?

Fondant is a smooth sugar-based cake covering made from ingredients such as powdered sugar, corn syrup, water, and flavoring. It can be rolled out and placed over a cake to create a smooth surface.

Fondant can also be shaped into decorations. Kids can cut it with cookie cutters, roll it into balls, make stripes, create flowers, twist it into ribbons, or shape simple figures. It is a good decorating material for kids because it feels similar to working with soft clay.

What Kind of Fondant Should You Buy?

Ready-made fondant is convenient when you want to start decorating quickly. Some brands are easier to roll and shape, while others may taste better or feel softer. If you are decorating with kids, choose a fondant that is soft enough to knead and roll.

Two common ready-made options are Satin Ice fondant and Wilton fondant. You can also make your own fondant if you want to control the flavor and texture.

For homemade options, visit homemade fondant recipes.

How to Store Fondant

• Keep extra fondant tightly covered when you are not using it.
• Store leftover fondant at room temperature in a sealed container or zip-top bag.
• Do not leave fondant uncovered on the counter because it can dry out.
• If fondant becomes too firm, knead it with a small amount of shortening.
• Fondant-covered cakes are often best stored at cool room temperature.
• If the cake filling requires refrigeration, chill carefully and allow the cake to come back to room temperature before serving.

How to Color Fondant

You can color fondant in two simple ways: knead colored fondant into white fondant, or add a small amount of gel food coloring to white fondant.

Color Fondant with Colored Fondant

If you have colored fondant and white fondant, knead a small piece of colored fondant into the white fondant. Continue kneading until the color is evenly mixed.

Make a Marbled Fondant Effect

For a marbled look, stop kneading before the color is completely mixed. The streaks of color will create a swirled effect.

Color Fondant with Gel Coloring

To color fondant with gel coloring, use a toothpick or the tip of a table knife to add a very small amount of gel color to white fondant. Knead until the color is blended. Add more color only if needed.

How to Cover a Cake with Fondant

Before covering a cake with fondant, frost the cake with a thin layer of buttercream. This helps the fondant stick and gives the cake a smoother surface.

Step 1: Prepare Your Surface

Sprinkle a clean counter or fondant mat with powdered sugar or cornstarch. Powdered sugar works well because it keeps the fondant from sticking without changing the flavor too much.

Step 2: Roll the Fondant

Roll the fondant into a circle larger than your cake. It is better to have extra fondant to trim away than to roll it too small. Aim for about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

Step 3: Place Fondant on the Cake

Lift the rolled fondant with your hands or rolling pin and place it over the frosted cake. Smooth the top first, starting in the middle and moving toward the edges to push out air.

Step 4: Smooth the Sides

Work around the cake slowly, smoothing the fondant down the sides. If air bubbles appear, an adult can gently pop them with a clean sewing pin and smooth the area again.

Step 5: Trim and Finish

Cut away extra fondant around the bottom edge with a pizza cutter or small knife. Move the cake to a cake board or serving platter. Finish the bottom edge with a fondant ribbon strip or piped frosting border.

Tips for Covering a Cake with Fondant

• Grease your hands lightly with shortening if the fondant feels dry.
• Roll the fondant and turn it often to keep the circle even.
• Do not flip the fondant over like pie dough. Keep turning it on the same side.
• Roll the fondant larger than the cake so you have enough to cover the sides.
• Save extra pieces for decorations or another project.
• Store scraps in a sealed zip-top bag at room temperature.

7 Easy Fondant Cake Decorating Ideas

Once you know how to roll and shape fondant, try these beginner fondant decorating ideas. Kids can help cut shapes, add dots, make flowers, and create simple theme decorations.

1. Fondant Stripes

Cut fondant strips with a ribbon cutter, ruler, pizza cutter, or small knife. Add stripes around the sides of a cake, across the top, or as colorful borders.

2. Fondant Dots

Use small round cookie cutters or the wide end of a piping tip to cut circles from colored fondant. Attach the dots to a fondant-covered cake with a tiny bit of water.

3. Cookie Cutter Shapes

Cookie cutters are one of the easiest ways for kids to decorate with fondant. Try hearts, stars, leaves, flowers, squares, letters, numbers, or holiday shapes.

4. Fondant Flowers

Fondant flowers can be made with flower cookie cutters, molds, or simple hand-shaped petals. Stack different sizes for a 3D look and add a small candy or edible pearl in the center.

5. Fondant Figures

Fondant figures can become the main theme of a cake. Try simple animals, people, bugs, jungle shapes, sports balls, or party characters. Start with basic balls, ropes, and flattened shapes before trying detailed figures.

6. Textured Fondant

Textured mats and rolling pins can press patterns into fondant. This is an easy way to add detail without piping. Try quilted patterns, dots, flowers, swirls, or birthday messages.

7. Fondant Bows

Fondant bows can make a cake look like a wrapped present. You can also use small bows on cupcakes, birthday cakes, tea party cakes, or holiday cakes.

How to Make Fondant Loop Bows

Working with Fondant Tips

• If fondant is too hard to work with, microwave it for 5 to 10 seconds. Be careful because it can have hot spots.
• Rub a small amount of shortening on your hands to help soften fondant while kneading.
• If fondant is too soft or sticky, knead in a small amount of powdered sugar.
• Keep fondant covered when you are not using it so it does not dry out.
• Use a tiny bit of water to attach fondant decorations to a fondant-covered cake.
• Practice with small decorations before covering a full cake.
• Let kids use cookie cutters, plastic knives, and simple shapes for easier decorating.

More Cake Decorating Help

Use these pages to keep practicing cake decorating skills.

Fondant FAQ

 

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