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Fondant recipe - Jacalyn’s Experience

2nd February 2010

Fondant recipe - Jacalyn’s Experience

My fondant recipe post is by far my most popular post, and the one thing I like best about it is that many people are kind enough to send me pictures of the cakes they made using my fondant recipe.

Jacalyn W. had a great success with my fondant recipe, here’s what she wrote:

Dear Duke,

I recieved alot of cake supplies for Christmas because I wanted to start making cakes as a hobby. I worked with the tips, and frosting and I was starting to get the hang of it. But I really wanted to try fondant. So a friend asked me to make her boyfriend a cake for his birthday, and she picked the Brown family crest for the cake. I told her I would do my best.

So I came across your fondant blog, read it, reread it, and started mixing. btw micheals and hobby lobby carry glycerin. I was very proud of my cake, so I decided to send you some pictures. I painted some additional color on for more depth, and it wasn’t dry during the pictures. that why some spots are shiny.

Thanks for sharing!
Jacalyn

And here are the great pictures she sent:

fondant recipe

fondant recipe

Fondant recipe

Fondant recipe

Fondant recipe

Fondant recipe

Fondant recipe

Fondant recipe

Fondant Recipe

Fondant Recipe

As Jacalyn wrote, the fondant is shinning in some places, but it’ll be ok when the color dries.

I think it’s a great success, I bet no one believed it’s her first attempt with fondant recipe!

If you want to try my fondant recipe you can find it in the post called… fondant recipe :)

You’re all welcome to send me pictures of cakes you made using my fondant recipe to theduke@thecookduke.com I’ll be happy to post it in my blog.

To see more pictures of people using my fondant recipe please visit “Fondant Recipe - Amy Johnson’s experience” and “How to make fondant - Gerbera Daisy Cake

Happy cooking :)

posted in Baby Shower Cakes, Birthday Cake Ideas, How to make fondant, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

2nd January 2010

Fondant Recipe - Amy Johnson’s experience

 Fondant recipe is the most popular recipe on my blog, and although many times I feel that many good recipes goes overlooked, at least I’m happy my fondant recipe is a success.

My fondant recipe post is also the post i get most comments about, and when the reader is as generous as Amy J I also get a respond letter with pictures describing the reader’s fondant recipe experience.

Here’s what Amy wrote:

Dear Cook Duke, It was my son’s second birthday this November and I decided I’d try my hand at fondant recipe since I’ve seen it used so much on TV and admired how it looked.
I consider myself to a very apt baker and decorator for just doing it in my spare time so I wanted to try something new this year as well.

His favorite TV show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so that was the theme I chose for the party.
I scoured the internet for what seemed to be the easiest and best fondant recipe since I didn’t really want to buy it from a store.
Yours seemed to need the least amount of effort and from reading other reader reviews, also the best tasting fondant recipe.

This was my first time using fondant, let alone making it from scratch, and also my first time attempting a 3-D cake (I used a dense chocolate cake for all the base elements and rice krispie cake for everything else).

I made two batches of fondant not knowing how much I’d use and not wanting to run out.
The first batch seemed to turn out ok but when trying to work with it seemed very dry compared to the second batch I made that didn’t crack at all.
For the most part it, I was very pleased with how everything turned out (considering it was my first time) and would definitely try it again.
My only concern was when I was adding color the fondant seemed to get kinda sticky and also, when rolling it out I assumed I was supposed to roll it out on a smooth surface lightly dusted with the confectioners sugar, only that altered the smoothness of my fondant and kind of took away from the original color.

Since I’m not sure what the consistency or texture of fondant should be, is there a better description you could give so I have a better idea (because I thought I had a smooth pliable mass but it cracked when laying it over the cake (this was the ‘grass’ part of the cake)).
And possibly any other tips you might have for rolling it out so that it looks as good as yours does in the pictures??

Thanks! I’ve attached a picture of my cake although I know it could look a bit better.
Thanks again for the great fondant recipe and I’ll keep trying ’til I get it right!

Sincerely, Amy Johnson Canada 

As you can read, even when she encountered some difficulties, the fondant recipe experience is still a success.

And here are the pictures she sent, I bet her next cake will look better, but for a first attempt it’s a GREAT success!

Fondant recipe Micky mouse cake

Fondant recipe Micky mouse cake

Fondant recipe MM cake 2

Fondant recipe MM cake 2

Well Amy, I’m happy you enjoyed my fondant recipe and thank you for your mail and pics.

For better understanding on how to color fondant you can view my post named “how to color fondant:)
and for all of you who hadn’t try yet - You’re welcome to try my fondant recipe, and more welcome to send me pictures of cakes you made using my fondant recipe to theduke@thecookduke.com

Happy Cooking :)

posted in Birthday Cake Ideas, Cakes, How to make fondant, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

26th February 2009

How to make fondant - Gerbera Daisy Cake

This How to make fondant post is dedicated to Sarah.

Sarah read my post “how to make fondant” and followed my fondant recipe.

Here’s what she wrote me:


Greetings Cookduke,
After searching the internet for bridal shower cake ideas and deciding that I wanted to make a bow on top of my cake, I searched the web for a fondant recipe. Fortunately, I came upon your wonderful recipe and read through all the comments that were very encouraging to me. I have never used fondant before but wanted to give it a try because I love how smooth the cake looks (a look I can never achieve with regular icing). I started with 1/2 a batch just to get a feel for the fondant and to experiment with it. The cake turned out great. It isn’t perfect but it still looks good. It is a four layer 10? round cake with a fondant bow on top and gerbera daisy’s all around the sides. It was a wonderful learning experience. Thank you for sharing your fondant recipe. My next challenge will be trying to cut the cake. I am going to email you with a picture of the cake.
Thanks again,
Sarah

And then she sent these two beautiful pictures:

how to make fondant

how to make fondant

 

This cake is THE reason for me to post the “how to make fondant” recipe in the first place:

She found the recipe, trusted it, gave it a try and got a perfect result!

This cake should encourage everyone looking for a fondant recipe not to be afraid and to give it a try.

Simply follow this “how to make fondant” fondant recipe and you’ll get great results!

I’d appreciate if you send me pictures of the cakes you made so I can post it here.

And Sarah, great cake.

I couldn’t have made it better myself…

Happy Cooking :)

posted in Cakes, How to make fondant | 16 Comments

10th September 2008

How to Color Fondant

 

Many of my readers asked me how to color fondant after reading my post Fondant Recipe for the best Fondant Icing

There are two main reasons to color fondant:

  1. To color fondant so the cake looks just like you want it to
  2. To color fondant as the cake itself is too dark that it “shades” the white fondant color

This post is entirely about how to color fondant, if you want to make the fondant from scratch, read my previous post describing how to make Fondant Recipe

I hope this post answers how to color fondant, and I’ll do my best to answer any future questions you have.

So, How to Color Fondant:

  1. Roll the fondant into a ball on your counter and smash it out a bit until it’s soft and pliable
  2. Make a pit in the fondant, and using a toothpick add dots of icing color into the pit (use a clean toothpic each time you dip it in the color).

    The important thing is to add just a little of the concentrated icing color at a time and then knead it over and over until you get an even spread of the color
  3. If the fondant is still too pale, use the same procedure to add in more color, but make sure you use a fresh toothpick every time you dip it into the color
  4. Once you finish to color the fondant, shape it to the shape of disks, wrap each fondant disk in plastic and place in an airtight container so the fondant keeps soft

How to Color Fondant – Tips:

  • Wear All-Purpose Gloves on youe hands before you start to color fondant, so you your hands stain-free
  • To color fondant, use Gel food color and not the liquid drops that you get from the grocery store.
    Liquid food colors will make the fondant too wet and will not give the same intensity.
    (The only exception to this rule is if you’re using an airbrush, as airbrush food colors are water based. When using an airbrush you’re not brushing and the spray is so light, it won’t hurt the fondant)
  • Remember that it is easier to add color to the fondant than take it out, so start with a little amounts of color and add more as you need to
  • When you come to color fondant, color more Fondant than you’ll need as it’s nearly impossible to match the color again if you need a little extra fondant
  • Note that the fondant colors will darken slightly overnight and will fade if Fondant is left in the light for a long time

Happy Cooking J

posted in Baby Shower Cakes, Cakes, How to make fondant, Wedding Cakes | 112 Comments

1st July 2008

Fondant Recipe for the best Fondant Icing

Fondant Recipe - how to make fondant, is it difficult to follow the fondant recipe?

Like most things in life, practice gets perfection, but to make fondant is not too complicated, and given the upgrade it gives to the cake, I would sure give it a try.

Fondant recipe - How to make fondant

When you come to make fondant it’s important to use the right fondant recipe and follow it to the letter.

I know many people who tried some shortcuts on my fondant recipe and ended up with a fondant they just couldn’t take off of the table.
The fondant gets greasy, sticky or just resembles the taste of a commercial fondant, which is bad enough
J

Three important tips before we move to the actual “how to make fondant” instructions and the fondant recipe:

  1. When you make fondant, both the dough and the icing, make sure to make it in room temperature – Too cold or too warm room will hurt the dough
  2. When you calculate the quantity of fondant icing required, it’s better to have too much fondant icing rather than too little, as leftover icing can be stored and used at a later date, or used for extra decorations
  3. Make sure you make fondant on a clean and smooth working surface.
    Jewelry on your fingers or wrists or fluffy clothing could hurt the fondant’s surface

Ingredients required to make the fondant recipe:

  • 1 Tbsp of unflavored gelatin
  • 1/4 cup of cold water
  • 1 tsp of almond extract
  • 1/2 cup of light corn syrup (If a corn syrup is not available, you can substitute it with a sugar syrup made with 1-1/4 cups sugar and 1/3 cup water, boiled together until syrupy)
  • 1 Tbsp of glycerin (some recipes say it’s optional, believe me, it’s a must)
  • 2 lbs 10X confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/2 tsp of white vegetable shortening

Directions how to make the fondant recipe:

  • Sprinkle the gelatin over cold water in a small bowl and let it rest for 2 minutes to soften
  • Place the bowl in a microwave for 30 seconds on High, until the gelatin dissolves
  • Add the Almond extract
  • Add the corn syrup and the glycerin and stir until the mixture is smooth and clear (if the mixture is not turning smooth and clear, microwave it for an additional 15 to 20 seconds on high and stir again)
  • Sift 1 1/2 pounds of the sugar into a large bowl
  • Make a hole in the sugar and pour the liquid mixture to it
  • Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes sticky
  • Sift some of the remaining 1/2 pound of sugar onto a smooth work surface and add as much of the remaining sugar as the mixture will take
  • Knead the fondant, adding a little more sugar if necessary, to form a smooth, pliable mass
  • Rub the vegetable shortening on your thumbs and knead it into the fondant
  • Wrap the fondant in plastic wrap and place it in a tightly sealed container to prevent it from drying out
    If the icing dries out and harden it can often be revived by popping it into a microwave oven for a few seconds and then kneading it back to life

Now you know how to make fondant, I hope the following pictures will inspire you to give this easy, tasty Fondant Recipe :-)

But first, if you want to take your fondant recipe to the next level, you’re welcome to visit my post How to Color Fondant

And one update (11/02/09) - A few of my readers sent me pictures of cakes they made following the instructions on this post.

I advice you to go and check it out, to see what to expect when you learn how to make fondant

How to Make Fondant

How to make Fondant

How to make Fondant

An update from January 15 2008:

About 6 month ago I got a mail from one of my readers asking me how to make fondant.
I never thought it’d be the most popular post on my blog…
Anyway, from the comments I get I see that many people finds it easy to make, it makes me so happy as that’s the purpose of this blog.
Now that you see that how to make fondant is very easy you can go to the next level by trying to color it (see “how to color fondant”) or get inspired with baby cake decoration ideas at my previous posts “baby shower cakes” , “children’s birthday cakes” and “more children’s birthday cakes

 

I’d appreciate if you could recommend this fondant recipe using one of the social networks below.

Happy Cooking :-)

posted in Baby Shower Cakes, Birthday Cake Ideas, Cakes, How to make fondant, Wedding Cakes | 506 Comments

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