A step by step recipe for fondant, also known as sugar paste. For cake decorating.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Table of contents
Check out the Cake Decorating Page for more, including how to use fondant.
Here’s a homemade Fondant recipe, also known as Sugarpaste. I know for many of us, ready made/rolled fondant is so easily available but at the risk of sounding like a broken tape player, there’s nothing like homemade! Have you ever looked at the ingredients list on your shop bought fondant? Uh huh, that’s what I thought!
This is my basic recipe, without any flavouring whatsoever. Sometimes, depending on what I’m using it for, I add a little vanilla or rose flavouring, just a tiny amount, so as not to be over powering. But this will affect the “whiteness” of the icing ever so slightly. I like to add some fat in it because I find that it improves the elasticity of the fondant and reduces cracks. However, if you live in a really humid country, omit the fat.
Also, I like to use a 50-50 glucose & corn syrup mix, preferring the taste. But this will not give you a brilliant white, for which it’ll have to be 100%glucose.
Please look at some dos & don’ts at the end. However, if there is something troubling you that’s not there, please ask & I’ll add it to the list. Thanks.
Hints and Tips
1. I prefer to roll out my fondant with vegetable fat instead of icing sugar. In hot & humid climates, I suggest corn flour.
2. Keep all extra bits of fondant in cling film to prevent drying out.
3. When colouring fondant, always use gel/thick colours not your liquid types.
Hot Climates
1. Logic tells you, working in an air conditioned/cooler room will make the fondant sturdier.
2. Please do not store your finished cake in the fridge, as it will sweat when you bring it out.
3. Add 1-2 tsp of gum tragacanth to the 1kg fondant, knead it in thoroughly. This should allow your fondant to stand up to the heat.
If you like the recipe, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! Thank you!
And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood
Lin xx
Fondant
Ingredients
- 1 kg icing sugar sifted, in a large bowl
- 5 tsp gelatine or substitute
- 50 ml cold water in a milk pan
- 120 ml liquid glucose or half corn syrup
- 1 Tbsp glycerin
- 1 tsp vegetable fat omit in high humidity
- about 1-2 Tbsp more icing sugar for kneading
Instructions
- Sprinkle the gelatine all over the water and leave to soak for about 20 minutes.
- Heat the gelatine/water over the lowest heat possible, stirring to dissolve the gelatine.
- When the gelatine has dissolved, add the glucose/corn syrup & glycerine, again stirring to mix thoroughly until you get a runny mixture.
- Have your kneading surface ready dusted with icing sugar.
- Create a well in the centre of the icing sugar and gradually pour in the glucose mix, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Mix thoroughly as much as you can with the spoon.
- When you get stuck, literally, take the whole mass/mess (!) out onto the work surface. Bring it all together with your hands, dusting with more icing sugar as needed to prevent it from sticking.
- There will be tiny little crumbs of icing littering the work surface. Don't be tempted to include them as they remain crumbs, you won't be able to incorporate them into your big blob completely. Clear the work surface of them.
- Now comes a bit of elbow grease. Knead your fondant for about 5 minutes until you get a smooth, almost shiny piece of work.
- Wrap tightly in cling film until needed. Will keep for 2 weeks this way, placed in an airtight container.
Thanks for the explanation it was helpful
My pleasure.
Thanks your explanations was helpful.
George Chiamaka 12yrs. Am using my mother’s phone to learn.
Hi George, so pleased to meet you. How wonderful that you are learning! If you have questions about anything, just ask. I’m always happy to help, it’s what I do, I’m a culinary instructor.
Wow nice explanation,I love it ,kudos to you Azlin Bloor.
When ever I finished baking my cake I usually store it in the fridge, please what is your advice for me
Hi Esther, I’m not sure what you are asking me? Do you mean before decorating the cake? I freeze extra cakes too. Just wrap it in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Then thaw fully at room temperature before decorating.
Does gelatine weep in cold weather,Or glycerin.