10th
September
2008
How to Color Fondant
posted in Baby Shower Cakes, Cakes, How to make fondant, Wedding Cakes |
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:
- To color fondant so the cake looks just like you want it to
- 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:
- Roll the fondant into a ball on your counter and smash it out a bit until it’s soft and pliable
- 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 - 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
- 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
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March 11th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
How do i get cream colour for my fondant
March 20th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
mam thank you so much u help me a lot..ill post it my 1st fondant cake
March 30th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
good morning.. when you make cut outs from your fondant can you freeze the decorations in advance for less work later.. and if so how much earlier can you make them?? can they freeze for a month or a year.. thank you in advance for your help
March 31st, 2009 at 5:18 am
does it matter if its placed in the fridge or should it be kept out on the counter top somewhere? and you talk about storing it afterwords, i would like to use it right away, should there be a waiting period for me to use it right away. and also when do you think is the best time to use it.
April 9th, 2009 at 9:37 am
I have made the fondent day before yesterday according to the recipe. It came very well. Then I have stored it witha air tight box. When I tried to use it back yesterday It was hard. IS that I microwaved for few seconds. But Afetr that it was too sticky so I put some more icing suger and mixed with it. After that when I try to role it I couldnt do it properly and when I try to make the flowers its melting. What I have to do now. (With your recipe I have mixed some glycerin as well)
And IS the Fondant and the suger gum paste same?
Thanx
April 15th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Thanks i didnt know how to use fondant recipe until this post!
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:23 am
This site has been very helpful, thank you so much!
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Ma’am u just made my day, My mother is the only one that can do fondant and she is all the way to Miami and i live in Vegas, my birthday is coming and finally i can do something cool for my self, thank u so much!!!!!!!!!!!! and may i contact u if i have any questions??
April 27th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Thanks so much for your web site! It has made all of my childrens cakes great!
May 4th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Tonia,to get a cream color from your fondant, make a pit on your fondant,using a toothpick add dots of little of golden icing color and knead until even spread color.
May 7th, 2009 at 5:54 am
hi there.
i am supposed to be making a wedding cake for a friend but have never made fondant. she would like it to be a chocolate cake with brown or preferrably chocolate fondant. is that possible? can you add a bit of coco powder to the recipe? or do you use coco extract and color it brown?? thanks!!
June 5th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
I need to make black fondant. I would like to use gel coloring if there is the color black available, but if i do have to mix it will it still turn out nice? An earlier post said not to mix them.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
what about powder colours….how would i use it to colour fondant?!!!
June 8th, 2009 at 2:58 am
Where do you buy the glycerin?
June 20th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Can i use normal food coloring to color the fondant instead of the fancy icing coloring?
Thanks…
Mikayla
June 27th, 2009 at 6:35 am
Hi Mikayla
Regular food coloring will do fine, although gel food coloring does better
When you look at the price you’ll notice there’s not a big different between the two, so if you’re buying it just for the fondant I’d recommend buying the gel.
If you already have liquid food coloring you can easily use it and still get great results.
Happy Cooking
June 27th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Hi Nadia
I’m not sure what earlier post you’re referring to, but there’s no problem in using black coloring gel if you want to get a black fondant.
Happy Cooking
June 27th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Hi Omolola
Thanks for answering Tonia’s question, your involvement is heart worming.
Happy Cooking
July 27th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I just read your post on how to make fondant, and now how to color it and I can’t wait to make it! I’m making a ladybug cake for my daughter’s 1st birthday in 2 weeks. It’s my first attempt at making a fancy cake, but this recipe seems easy enough
Thanks so much! I’ll send pictures if it’s a success. 
August 4th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Thank you so much for posting your fondant recipe! I was able to make a golf themed cake for my boyfriend’s birthday and he absolutely loved it.
I have never done anything like it before, and it worked out, so thanks for all the pictures and detailed instructions!
–Sorry, I would’ve sent pics. but I didn’t see an email. Anyways, THANKS AGAIN and have a good one.
August 9th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I just read your how to make fondant recipe and I’ve always wanted to make a really nice looking cake. However, I have always hated having to use that normal store-bought icing. I can’t wait to try it out, thank you.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Thanks. I’ve made three cakes with this fondante recipie, and they all turned out great and delicous. I’d send you photos, but they were eate before I could have taken them.
August 28th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Hi
When the cake is finished before you had the chance to take a picture is the best compliment for the chef.
No doubt you had a great success with this fondant recipe, I’ll wait for pictures of your next cake
Happy Cooking
September 5th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Thank you so much for the fondant recipe and color! I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m making my first “real” cake in one week and I’m so excited to make it! I’ll send pictures if it turns out well =) again, thanks so much! And a VERY happy cooking!
September 9th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Hi Chelsea
Thank you for your kind words!
I’m sure you’re going to make great cakes, I’m looking forward recieving your pictures.
Happy Cooking
BTW - I’d appreciate if you can tell me where you found the glycerin as many readers are asking
thanks,
September 12th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Hi!
I found glycerin at a natural foods store in town. And I live in a small town, too, so I was pretty excited to find it without having to drive for an hour to a baking supply store. Just make sure the glycerin specifies food grade, as it is also used in soap making and cosmetics at different grades. I’m decorating today, so I’ll send pictures!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Hello!
I am looking so forward to making your fondant & hopefully a dazzling Birthday cake!
Can you tell me how long in advance the fondant can be prepared if stored in an air tight container in the fridge?
October 13th, 2009 at 5:03 am
I am so excited to start making my own cake….i will be doing it for my sister’s babyshower and i hope it comes out great….thanks for the tips
October 20th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Can you help me - how to color fondant to be dark black? i don’t want it pale because of the white color recieved from your fondant recipe…
October 23rd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
This is my second time here. my first time was trying your :how to make fondant” and it was great, now after i loved your fondant recipe I came to see how to color fondant.
Sounds so easy i’ll definately give it a try
November 4th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Thanks; your cakes posted here look great and I can’t wait to try my own for my Daughter’s first birthday. All your information seems simply and I will defiantly post a picture of my results. Until then thanks again.
G
November 5th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
hi! I got a lot of weird looks when I was asking for glycerin at regular grocry stores but then I went to Michaels, the craft store, and found it easily in the cake/cupcake aisle
so check your craft stores!!
November 13th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Hi G
Thanks for your kind words.
I’m looking forward seeing pictures of the cakes you made.
BTW - I guess you arrived to this “how to color fondant” page from my fondant recipe called “How to make fondant”.
If you didn’t I suggest you try my fondant recipe at http://thecookduke.com/fondant-recipe/
Happy Cooking
November 15th, 2009 at 4:06 am
Look for glycerin at MICHAELS!! i looked at 7 different stores before i came upon it! good luck and happy cooking
November 15th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Hi Ashley
Thank you for taking the time to update us where you found your glycerin, so many people just can’t find it.
Did you follow my “How to color fondant” post, was it easy?
You’re welcome to send me pictures of the cakes you made using my fondant recipe, I’ll be more than happy to post them on my blog.
Happy Cooking