COVERING A CAKE WITH FONDANT

COVERING A CAKE WITH FONDANT

Covering a cake in fondant is not difficult. My best advice is to take your time and stay focused. Like anything, the more you work with fondant the easier it will become to achieve a smooth finish. Don't worry if you have a few folds and creases. Especially if this is your very first try. You will eventually find a rhythm and technique that works for you.

1. Knead your fondant into a pliable ball and place your fondant (colored or not) on a silicone pastry mat. 

*If you do not have a silicone mat you will need to spread a thin layer of vegetable shortening on a clean work surface and roll your fondant on that.*

 Most  bakers use cornstarch or powdered sugar to roll out their fondant; I do that most times. I find that it dries out the fondant and makes it more prone to cracking. If you are a beginner I recommend shortening(Lightly rub work surface with vegetable shortening)

2. Press the fondant into a thick disc shape.

3. Using a rolling pin, roll the fondant making sure to keep the shape somewhat circular.

4. Unless you completely luck out you will start to notice bubbles in the surface. These will need to be popped. I use a very thin acupuncture needle to pop bubbles, however, a sharp knife tip or a clean straight pin will do nicely. Smooth the bubble with your fingertip. Keep rolling and popping until the fondant is about 1/8 of an inch

thick. If you roll any thinner the fondant will have a tendency to tear or crack as you work with it.

5. Place a cake board in the center of the rolled fondant. If you have at least four inches all around the cake board you have rolled the fondant large enough. If you don't, keep rolling until you do!

6. 

Gently lift one edge of the fondant and place one clean hand and forearm under the fondant. Lift it high enough to get your other arm underneath or place a rolling pin on the fondant and roll fondant over pin from one edge to another and lift it up to place on cake.

7. Lift and center the fondant over the cake and gently lower it down. Do not pull or stretch the fondant. If you see a place where the fondant is not long enough and isn't completely covering a side it's okay! Gravity (and working with the fondant) will ultimately stretch it downward anyway!

8. Gently slide a fondant smoother all over the top of the cake to remove any air bubbles that might be under it. You can also use your hand for this step, however, you are more likely to make dents in the fondant.

9. Now that the top is smooth start working the top half of the cake. Smooth the fondant all around with your hands by lightly pulling on the bottom edge of the fondant while pressing in a downward motion with your other hand. Continue this process until the fondant is smooth all around the cake and no wrinkles or folds are present.

10. Smooth all sides with the fondant smoother. You can press relatively hard for this step. If you notice any air bubbles in the sides you will need to pop them in the same way as we did when rolling the fondant.

11. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, and holding it flat against the cake trim away the excess fondant. Knead the fondant back into a cohesive ball. Wrap the fondant and save for another cake!

12. Your work should come out smooth and shining. Melt vegetable shortening on heat and use a pastry brush to rub on Fondant to give it shining look.