Tools for Working With Fondant
Fondant used in cake decorating can make your creations beautiful and professional looking. There are some basic tools needed when working with fondant. This type of icing layer adds elegance to ordinary deserts. Some tools may already be in your home. Make sure tools are used only for baking. Fondant tools can be found where cake decorating supplies are sold.
- Decide what fondant tools you will need to buy. There are some supplies you may already have in the home. Make sure these items are clean and preferably never used for anything but baking.
- Assess what tools you have. You will need a rolling pin. It is nice to also have a smaller one that you can buy at an arts and crafts store.
- Consider baking paper. This is a specialized paper that makes rolling easy and has common baking markings on it.
- Purchase plastic wrap or bags to store the fondant you are working with in. It will keep the fondant from drying out. If fondant does dry, add a small amount of cornmeal.
- Buy an assortment of coloring that is not the liquid form. The type for fondant must be a paste or gel. The liquid will make it too moist. Water is used to stick decorations on but only use a small amount. Use colorless margarine or vegetable shortening to coat hands to soften fondant.
- Pick up toothpicks, which are used to add color to the fondant. Use a clean one each time. You can also have on hand bamboo skewers and chopsticks though these are not as necessary for basics.
- Make sure you have basic baking supplies including spatulas. A smoothing tool is nice but is not essential. Have a supply of different shaped cookie cutters. A clean ruler is nice for marking and getting edges straight. Confectioners’ sugar is used often to keep fondant from sticking.
- Consider cookbooks with cake decorating tips.