We receive many questions about cakes, especially fondant. It is not an area we work with extensively ourselves, so we have received this helpful article from Bagetid.dk.
How to Use Fondant
To work with fondant, you must first knead it until it is soft and manageable. Then, you can roll it out into a circle or square, depending on the shape of your cake. It is crucial to knead the fondant well so it can be rolled out to a thin thickness (preferably about 3 mm). The perfect fondant provides a smooth surface without cracking, which can be aided with a fondant smoother tool.
How to Cover a Cake with Fondant
Start by preparing your cake as desired – layers and filling such as buttercream.
Knead the fondant until it is pliable. This is the time to color your fondant if you want a different color than the ones available. Use a roll & cut mat as a base or sprinkle cornstarch to ensure the fondant doesn’t stick to the table.
Now roll out the fondant to the appropriate size for the cake. As you roll, lift and move the fondant from the table to prevent sticking. Remember cornstarch on your surface – if necessary. When the size is right, lift it onto the cake. Shape the fondant on the sides of the cake by pressing it onto the cake – never press downward, as this can lead to cracks in your fondant. Smooth the top gently with the smoother tool, then the sides. Use the smoother tool to ensure the fondant sticks to the sides of the cake and is as smooth and uniform as it can be. Cut off the excess fondant with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
Now your cake is ready for decoration.
Coloring Fondant
You can buy fondant in many different colors and even flavors. However, it may not be precisely the color you intended. Fortunately, you can also color your fondant to make it perfect. Use a base color in the same shade as the color you wish to achieve – for example, use a red fondant as a base color if you want a burgundy-colored fondant. For mixing a light color, e.g., pastel yellow, you can advantageously just use white fondant. Add paste color to your fondant using a toothpick or similar – distribute the color evenly on top of the fondant. Then knead, so the color is evenly distributed. Save a little “original” fondant just in case you use too much paste color, so you can always lighten or darken your fondant.
Flavoring Fondant
You can also add flavor to the fondant, so it doesn’t just taste like sugar. The easiest way is to add a little fruit powder. However, be careful not to add too much, as the fondant can become overwhelming – it is already very sweet.
If you’re more into mirror glaze, check out this article on the subject.