What is fondant

? You have likely seen some of the wonderful fondant creations that seasoned cake makers and cake decorators produce. If you have just started working with fondant, you might feel a little overwhelmed! The good news is that working with fondant doesn’t need to be scary. Perfect for all types of cakes, it should be fun! That is why we have compiled a list of 5 things you must know about working with fondant before you get started.

 

1. Choose a quality brand

There are a lot of fondant bands on the market, with lots of different colours, flavours and textures. Brands not only look and taste different, but they can also vary significantly to work with. Here at Pearl’s Creations we only stock brands that we know and trust, so when you buy from us you can be confident you are getting a fondant that is good quality and easy to use.

 

2. Set up your workspace

Once you have your fondant, you need to make sure you have pre-prepared a clean working space with all the tools you will need. Pearl’s Creations stock the full range of fondant tools. If possible, stainless steel is a great surface for working with fondant, but if you can’t work with stainless steel, any hard bench top or flat surface will suffice. You should invest in a fondant mat, as this will make working with fondant much easier. Use a small ball of fondant to rub over your workspace, then grease your hands. Next you want to knead your fondant until it is pliable and can be pinched and rolled into balls without any cracks appearing. Only take as much fondant from the package for your project. Keep the rest stored in an airtight container.

 

3. Find a thickness that works for you

Usually people work with a thickness between 1/4” – 1/8” of fondant rolled, but you will want to find what is best for you and your projects. You don’t want your fondant to be too thick, but you also don’t want it to be thin and tear easily.

 

4. Strengthen your fondant

If you want your fondant to dry hard, you can strengthen it with Tylose powder which we sell at Pearl’s Creations. Add about a ¼ of a teaspoon when your fondant is still soft and warm. Your fondant will start to harden within a few hours.

 

5. Use sharp edges

When using a fondant cutter, it is important to use a sharp instrument that gives your project a neat finish. All of Pearl’s Creations fondant cutters are high quality, for a perfect finish. You can push hard against your work surface to get a clean cut, and rub your finger around any rough edges to create a smooth finish.

We are sure that once you start working with fondant you will see that it is a great and diverse material, which is also a load of fun. Remember, practice makes perfect! If you’d like to learn more about our great range of fondant figures, or enrol in a class to become your own fondant expert, reach out and speak to us today!