Rough Guide to Fondant - Part 1

If there were to be one thing that draws out strong responses, from consumers and bakers alike, it is fondant! You know, that smooth, sugary, chewy, edible dough one sees draped on every other cake? In case you don’t know much about it, not to worry. This post is right up your alley & a good place to start. In case you do, the following are good reminders before you order your next themed cake! 

​But first, just a little background on how my journey with fondant began. When I was first stepping foot into the world of baking, fondant used to feel like its Goliath and all I could do was to look at it with utter disdain (yes you read it right!). My debates with my baker friends on fondant still continue to haunt me at times. As I said, it always did draw out a passionate response(!).

​Finally, I decided to take the bull by its horns and attended a basic workshop to learn the ropes. I could always decide whether I wanted to pursue it professionally after trying it for some time, right? And the verdict? I gained a new found respect for all those who are making structured cakes and masterpieces with fondant. Simply because of the painstaking time and patience working with fondant requires. It is labour intensive, highly skill based and not everyone’s cup of tea. But fondant is fun, versatile and takes your cakes to a new level of creativity & expression. My disdain just turned out to be fear that I believe I conquered somewhere on the way.  

So this post will be split into two parts. Part 1 - this post that is - will focus on why you should and shouldn’t order a fondant cake. Please note I will NOT be propagating either ways, but just help you decide the same. In Part 2, I cover some of the frequently asked questions about fondant and am sure that run across your mind too.

So when should you consider placing an order for a fondant cake?

​The following are guidelines that would help you decide affirmatively:

Fondant based cakes can give you high degree of personalisation. You want to express your feelings or particular thought with the cake. Fondant cakes are the epitome of personalisation and again, design plays a particularly important part in the same. You can be funny, mushy, joyous or kiddie. You can make someone feel special. You can tell your story with a themed fondant cake.

Neev's favourite toys on his six month milestone

A chocolate & coffee half cake on Dia's half birthday!

You want a themed designer cake. Now not all themed cakes require fondant. But it all comes down to the design. There is certain level of intricacy & pliability that just cannot work with buttercream. For instance, 3D toppers, flowers, character cakes, and so on, will definitely need fondant. There are some designs which may get away with being semi fondant, that is, where you only use fondant accents or toppers. So I urge you to work with your baker for the design basis your preference.

McQueen car - in all its glory - for a second birthday party

McQueen car on a regular chocolate cake with some buttercream grass & chocolate chip stones

A two tier Jungle Book theme cake for little Reyaansh who turns 1!

​You want the cake to be the showstopper of the party, then a fondant cake is for you. A non-fondant cake can also look spectacular, but the style and design would just be very different, not less. A fondant cake cannot be matched where the intricacy and neatness of the cake is concerned.

In case it’s a kids’ birthday party, you might consider going for a fondant based cake. Kids love fondant. I have seen many of times them fighting among themselves regarding who’s going to get what to eat! Whereas fondant is not such a great hit with the adults. 

Paw Patrol theme on a regular chocolate cake

Now here are the reasons why you may not want to go ahead with fondant at all!

• You have tasted fondant and you do not like the gummy, candy like taste of fondant. You are NOT a sweets person at all. Though the market is today flooded with high quality non-too-sweet ones, fondant is essentially very high in sugar versus say a buttercream which is very high in fat.  
• It is humid and pouring outside! Fondant is weather driven & becomes a pain to work with in the monsoon season. This is because as mentioned before, it is icing sugar and absorbs the high moisture content in the air. Humidity and fondant are lifelong enemies. Constant air conditioning is required at those times for sure. Consider the logistics of transport, storage, etc. while choosing a design.
• You don't have enough time. Most fondant cakes require at least two days to make. You definitely need to plan ahead, if you want to maximize its potential.
• If you have a tight budget because fondant cakes are more expensive than regular cake. Of course, handmade details like characters, human figurines, take hours to make and a baker charges you accordingly. It comes down to the basic question - how important is the cake itself for you and how much budget are you ready to allocate toward it?

So if you love a fondant cake for its looks, I know where you are coming from and am there to guide you. But If you simply hate it, I hear you too. End of the day, it’s your personal decision.

Hope this post helps you to make an educated choice next time you are ordering a themed cake.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers,
Indrani