Best EVER Homemade Fondant
If you want to know how to make fondant that’s affordable and also tastes good, then this is it. This homemade fondant recipe is soft, elastic, and works great in any weather. No more struggling with fondant and no more elephant skin. Most important, unlike store-bought fondant, it actually tastes delicious.
I accept the commercial fondant is not the most delicious in fact some really taste bad. Though it is the most convenient to use and has a long shelf life.
I started my career as a cake decorator using store-bought sugarpaste that people hated to eat. I noticed that parents were bothered when they saw kids eat it.
So, I tested and tried many homemade sugar paste recipes so I could use them on the kids’ cakes. Some recipes worked great sometimes and at other times it can be a nightmare. But, I didn’t give up and finally managed to make my own homemade sugar paste recipe successfully every single time. Yes, I do believe this is my no-fail fondant recipe!
Why you’ll love this fondant?
- I have spent months perfecting this fondant. It has the perfect texture and is a dream to work with. Even if you are a novice and making your first decorated cake, you will master this like a pro. And, if you are a cake decorator, your clients will enjoy this fondant.
- Also, kids will love to eat it because it tastes like sweet buttercream.
- The best thing about this fondant is that it has good elasticity.
- I don’t like a thick layer of fondant on my cakes. Unlike store-bought fondant, due to good elasticity, you can roll this out really thin.
- The best part is that it has a long shelf life. Leftovers can be put in plastic wrap and in an air-tight container. It will keep on the counter for a month than in the refrigerator for 3 months or in the freezer for up to a year.
- You can use this fondant for cakes, cupcakes as well as cookies. And yes, you can use them for your regular shaped celebration or wedding cakes, or novelty cakes.
- This recipe uses ingredients like corn syrup, glycerin, and gelatin. If you don’t have these ingredients I highly recommend making homemade marshmallow fondant that uses only two ingredients marshmallows and confectioners sugar.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Powdered sugar – Also known as confectioners sugar or icing sugar. You want to use 10x, well-sifted powdered sugar to prevent a lumpy fondant. Ideally, cane sugar will give you a better smoother fondant while fondant made from beet sugar can be grainy.
- Gelatin – This is what gives fondant that elasticity. So, make sure to use a brand that works well. Agar-agar is a vegetarian to make homemade vegetarian fondant recipe.
- Light corn syrup – This is available in most supermarkets these days. And, if not, try liquid glucose, which is usually available in most cake decorating or pastry shops these days. Both glucose and light corn syrup work the same, so use the same quantity.
- Glycerin – Keeps the fondant soft. And, if you can’t find glycerin, you can omit it. You will find that the fondant is a bit tough and needs more kneading.
- Non-dairy creamer – Use non-dairy creamer to extend the fondant’s shelf life. But I love using heavy cream because the fondant tastes better and can be kept out for over a month, thanks to the high sugar content. Also, milk or water can be used instead of cream. However, thinner liquids will use more powdered sugar. Therefore, fondant made with water will need more powdered sugar than fondant made with thick, fresh cream.
Step-by-step: How to make rolled fondant icing
Prepare
- Dry ingredients – Place 600 grams of powdered sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment along with the meringue powder and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
Pro-tip – If you do not have a good stand mixer that can manage a heavy dough such as fondant you can also do this in a large bowl and wooden spoon then, knead by hand. - Wet ingredients – add the whipping cream into a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cream and let bloom for 2 minutes. You can also do this over a double-boiler
Pro tip – soaking will dissolve the gelatin better otherwise it can be grainy and cloudy. - Dissolve the gelatin in the microwave on high for 30 seconds or more until completely dissolved.
Pro-tip – do not overheat the gelatin as it can lose its gelling ability - Next, add the corn syrup, glycerin, and vanilla extract to the dissolved gelatin and combine well. The mixture must still be barely warm. If the gelatin is already setting, warm it up for 10 seconds more.
Pro tip – depending on the temperature of the ingredients you may or may not need to warm it further. What’s important is that the gelatin is still liquid not setting. - This is your wet ingredients mixture. If you plan to make the full batch with one color you can add your gel food color at this point. Alternatively, you can make the base fondant and then color it in small batches as you need.
Knead
- In the bowl of your stand mixer with the powdered sugar, make a hollow in the center and add in the liquid ingredients. Then, start mixing at medium speed.
Pro tip – And if you are doing this by hand, start mixing from the center out incorporating powdered sugar as you go. - Make sure you get all the powdered sugar mixed well and incorporated before you add any more powdered sugar.
Pro tip – You may not need more powdered sugar, but it’s best to add less now. Also, you can always add more later even before using. - Next, knead in the butter or veg shortening while kneading – this also helps with the stickiness.
Pro tip – The fat combined with the gelatin will make it more elastic. - Once you have a dough formed, transfer to a flat surface or counter lightly dusted with powdered sugar and knead. And if you feel the mixture is dry, grease your hands and counter with butter or vegetable shortening and knead. Alternatively, if the dough is too sticky, add a tablespoon or two of powdered sugar.
Pro tip – If possible, do not add any more powdered sugar at this point as it will stiffen when the gelatin sets. You want the fondant to form a dough but not be too dry. A little sticky is ok too. - Divide into two or four portions and place each in a zip-lock bag. And seal well.
Pro tip – Fondant is sugar, so it dries very easily. And if it forms a crust it will give you are very grainy fondant. So, make sure to always keep it double wrapped with plastic wrap then in a storage bag or plastic and then in an air tight container. - Then, leave in the fridge overnight or at least 4 hours.
Pro tip – It’s important to let the fondant rest because this gives the gelatin time to set and become elastic. Once set, you can store it at room temperature.
How to use homemade fondant?
- Take the fondant out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature. When ready to use, knead it until it is smooth and pliable.
Pro tip – If the fondant icing is hard, you can warm it in the microwave for 10 seconds. However, making it too warm will result in a too soft fondant that is difficult to handle. - It is best to use vegetable shortening to knead the fondant. However, if it is still quite sticky you can add powdered sugar.
Pro tip – The elasticity of your fondant is dependent on the quality of your gelatin and the amount of powdered sugar used. - Lightly dust your counter with mix of powdered sugar and cornstarch and roll the fondant using a rolling pin ( I like to make a pouch using a sock or stockings and fill it with equal amount of corn starch and powdered sugar).
Can you see the elasticity? You should be able to pull it like this – like taffy. Also, read my 14 tips for working with fondant.
How much fondant do I need for my cake?
As a professional cake decorator for over 10 years, this is for novice cake decorators and my students. The chart below is based on 4-inch-tall cakes. For shorter cakes, you will need less, and tall cakes will obviously need more.
Having said that, this presumes rolling fondant to a thickness closer to 1/8″. So, if you roll fondant too thick, closer to 1/4″ thick, you will need more. Adjust accordingly!
| Round | Square | Metric | lbs | OZ |
| 6-inch | 5-inch | 600 g | 1.3 lbs | 18 oz |
| 7-inch | 6-inch | 750 g | 1.6 lbs | 20 oz |
| 8-inch | 7-inch | 900 g | 2 lbs | 24 oz |
| 9-inch | 8-inch | 1 kg | 2.2 lbs | 30 oz |
| 10-inch | 9-inch | 1.2 kg | 2.6 lbs | 36 oz |
| 11-inch | 10-inch | 1.5 kg | 3.4 lbs | 40 oz |
| 12-inch | 11-inch | 1.7 kg | 3.7 lbs | 48 oz |
| 14″inch | 12-inch | 2.5 kg | 5.5 lbs | 72 oz |
| 14-inch | 2.7 kg | 6 lbs | 108 oz | |
How do you color homemade fondant?
I have shared two posts related to fondant. One was 14 must-know tips for working with fondant and the other is How to color fondant. In addition, I’ll also give you a few important tips here. But, if you are new to fondant, you may find those useful.
- First, always use edible food color gels for coloring fondant. Because they will not make your fondant too soft consistency since they are very concentrated in color.
- And, if you don’t have food color gels – you can also use liquid color at the beginning of the recipe while reducing the original quantity of liquid in the recipe.
- Food color gels will intensify over time. So, if you color it ahead of time – make it one shade lighter and keep it for a few days. That way, you won’t have to add more white or use too much color gel.
- Also, color gels can dye your hands. So, it’s best to use gloves when coloring fondant. In addition, rubbing veg shortening on your glove also helps between colors. However, I find that working with gloves is not easy, especially with sticky fondant. So, I work with fondant by just rubbing my hand with vegetable shortening, and then washing them clean with a cream-based detergent.
I colored this batch of fondant and used it on this cake. And, I also have a tutorial for this Brush Embroidery on this cake.
Troubleshooting
- Storing fondant – Fondant can be stored in a cool dry place away from heat and sunlight for up to 4 weeks at room temperature. And, you can also keep it for up to six months in the fridge and up to 2 years in the freezer.
However, make sure to always wrap the fondant well in cling wrap first, then place it in a ziplock bag, then in an airtight container to ensure it does not dry out. - Fondant is too hard? Thaw the fondant in the fridge for 10 seconds so you can knead it. Then, add a teaspoon or two of glycerin to help soften it. Next, add vegetable shortening and knead it some more.
And, if this still does not work, it’s best to use this fondant for decorative purposes and decorations. And, make a fresh batch for covering the cake - White fondant – If you need a white fondant, I recommend you use white-colored gelatin (unlike Knox which is almost beige), and veg shortening instead of butter (because veg shortening is white while butter is yellow).
- Dairy-free fondant – Also, if you want to make this parve or non-dairy, use non-dairy liquid creamer and veg shortening instead of butter.
Frequently asked questions
How long does fondant keep?
Fondant is high in sugar which works as a natural preservative. Fondant can be stored in a cool dry place away from heat and sunlight for up to 4 weeks at room temperature. And, you can also keep it for up to six months in the fridge and up to 2 years in the freezer. However, make sure to always wrap the fondant well in cling wrap first, then place it in a ziplock bag, then in an airtight container to ensure it does not dry out.
What is fondant made of?
Well, there are many different recipes and variations. The common ingredients in all fondants are powdered sugar or confectioners sugar along with butter or shortening.
This recipe uses light corn syrup, glycerin, and gelatin. A vegetarian version will have agar-agar instead of gelatin. Add cocoa powder to make a chocolate version.
Of course, one of the easiest is to make fondant with marshmallows. You can also make it with chocolate marshmallows.
How long do fondant cakes keep?
The shelf life of a cake depends on the cake recipe as well as the fillings and frostings used. In fact, fondant does do a good job of locking in moisture, which automatically extends the life of the cake.
Is fondant edible?
Yes, fondant contains all edible ingredients and is definitely edible. And, it is sweeter than most other frostings.
However, often fondant is used for just decorative purposes. If a cake decorator claims the fondant is not edible, it’s probably because she has used some non-edible ingredients like metallic silver or gold dust.
How thick should I roll fondant?
The fondant needs to be rolled between 1/4 to 18 inches. Too thick will crack the fondant around the edges and too thin will tear the fondant around the edges. Plus no one wants to eat a thick layer of sugar on top of a cake.
How far in advance can you cover a fondant cake?
A basic chocolate or vanilla cake with buttercream or ganache can be covered in fondant 2 to 3 days ahead and left at room temperature. And, if the cake has any perishable filling or frosting it must be kept in the fridge.
How to store fondant cakes?
At room temperature! Leave a fondant-covered cake in a cool dry place at room temperature away from open windows or wind. And, if the cake contains perishable frosting, you can also store it in the fridge.
The BEST Homemade Fondant Recipe
If you are looking for the best homemade fondant, sugar paste, recipe that’s affordable and also tastes good, then this is it. This homemade fondant recipe is soft, elastic, and works great in any weather. And most of all, unlike store-bought fondant, this one actually tastes delicious. This recipe is so simple, easy and effortless. It will have you making fondant for all your cakes. And if you are a novice, you will be surprised how easy it is to work with.
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Non-dairy liquid creamer or fresh whipping cream
- 1 ½ tbsp (14 g) Gelatin
- ½ tsp Meringue powder
- ½ cup (120 ml) Light corn syrup or glucose syrup
- 3 tbsp (45 g) Unsalted butter or veg shortening
- 1 ½ tbsp Glycerin
- ½ tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract or other flavorings
- 5 cups (600 g) Powdered sugar
- 1½ cups (180 g) Powdered sugar additional for kneading, as necessary
Method
- Dry ingredients – Place 600 grams of powdered sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment along with the meringue powder and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.Pro-tip – If you do not have a good stand mixer that can manage a heavy dough such as fondant you can also do this in a large bowl and wooden spoon then, knead by hand.½ tsp Meringue powder , ½ tsp Salt , 5 cups Powdered sugar
- Wet ingredients – add the whipping cream into a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cream and let bloom for 2 minutes. You can also do this over a double-boilerPro tip – soaking will dissolve the gelatin better otherwise it can be grainy and cloudy.¼ cup Non-dairy liquid creamer , 1 ½ tbsp Gelatin
- Dissolve the gelatin in the microwave on high for 30 seconds or more until completely dissolved. Pro-tip – do not overheat the gelatin as it can lose its gelling ability
- Next, add the corn syrup, glycerin, and vanilla extract to the dissolved gelatin and combine well. The mixture must still be barely warm. If the gelatin is already setting, warm it up for 10 seconds more. Pro tip – depending on the temperature of the ingredients you may or may not need to warm it further. What's important is that the gelatin is still liquid not setting.½ cup Light corn syrup , 3 tbsp Unsalted butter , 1 ½ tbsp Glycerin, 2 tsp Vanilla extract
- This is your wet ingredients mixture. If you plan to make the full batch with one color you can add your gel food color at this point. Alternatively, you can make the base fondant and then color it in small batches as you need.
Knead
- In the bowl of your stand mixer with the powdered sugar, make a hollow in the center and add in the liquid ingredients. Start mixing at medium speed.Pro tip – if you are doing this by hand start mixing from the center out incorporating powdered sugar as you go.
- Make sure you get all the powdered sugar mixed well and incorporated before you add any more powdered sugar. Pro tip – You may or more not need more powdered sugar but best to add less than more right now. Also, you can always add more later even before using.
- Knead in the butter or veg shortening while kneading – this also helps with the stickiness.Pro tip – the fat combined with the gelatine will make it more elastic.
- Once you have a dough formed, transfer to a flat surface or counter lightly dusted with powdered sugar and knead. If you feel the mixture is dry grease your hands and counter with butter or vegetable shortening and knead. Alternatively, if the dough is too sticky add a tablespoon or two of powdered sugar.Pro tip – If possible do not add any more powdered sugar at this point as it will stiffen when the gelatin sets. You want the fondant to form a dough but not be too dry. A little sticky is ok too.
- Divide into two or four portions and place each in a zip-lock bag. And seal well.Pro tip – fondant is sugar so it dried very easily. If it forms a crust it will give you are very grainy fondant. So, make sure to always keep it double wrapped in a plastic then storage bag or plastic then container.
- Leave in the fridge overnight or at least 4 hours. Pro tip – it is important to let the fondant rest because this gives the gelatine time to set and become elastic. Once set you can store it at room temperature.
Using fondant
- Take the fondant out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature. When ready to use knead it until it is smooth and pliable. Pro tip – if the fondant is hard you can warm it in the microwave for 10 seconds but making it too warm will result in a too soft fondant that is difficult to handle.
- It is best to use vegetable shortening to knead the fondant. However, if it is still quite sticky you can add powdered sugar. Pro tip – the elasticity of your fondant is dependent on the quality of your gelatin and the amount of powdered sugar used.
Notes
- Storing fondant – Fondant can be stored in a cool dry place away from heat and sunlight for up to 4 weeks at room temperature. And, you can also keep it for up to six months in the fridge and up to 2 years in the freezer.
However, make sure to always wrap the fondant well in cling wrap first, then place it in a ziplock bag, then in an airtight container to ensure it does not dry out. - Fondant is too hard? Thaw the fondant in the fridge for 10 seconds so you can knead it. Then, add a teaspoon or two of glycerin to help soften it. Next, add vegetable shortening and knead it some more.
And, if this still does not work, it’s best to use this fondant for decorative purposes and decorations. And, make a fresh batch for covering the cake - White fondant – If you need a white fondant, I recommend you use white-colored gelatin (unlike Knox which is almost beige), and veg shortening instead of butter (because veg shortening is white while butter is yellow).
- Dairy-free fondant – Also, if you want to make this parve or non-dairy, use non-dairy liquid creamer and veg shortening instead of butter.
Fondant covered cakes
- How far in advance can you cover a fondant cake? A basic chocolate or vanilla cake with buttercream or ganache can be covered in fondant 2 to 3 days ahead and left at room temperature. And, if the cake has any perishable filling or frosting it must be kept in the fridge.
- How to store fondant cakes? – At room temperature! Leave a fondant-covered cake in a cool dry place at room temperature away from open windows or wind. And, if the cake contains perishable frosting, you can also store it in the fridge.
- How long do fondant cakes keep? The shelf life of a cake depends on the cake recipe as well as the fillings and frostings used. In fact, fondant does do a good job of locking in moisture, which automatically extends the life of the cake.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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Hi.
Thank you for sharing all the great recipes.. I would like to try your fondant recipe but i cant find meringue powder at my area. Can it be omitted or any substItute that can be used?
Thank you.
Yes, you can omit the meringue powder Nor
I have tried this recipe, but my fondant is not stretching and it is not drying in room temperature. Kindly tell me a solution
Indu. Check the gelatin you used. The stretch comes from the gelatine. If you live in a hot and humid weather and take this out of the fridge it will have condensation because it is sugar
Hi;
I made this fondant twice. The first time it was so sticky I couldn’t get it off my hands. The second time was almost the same. I followed the directions exactly, even using my scale to ensure the correct amounts. I continued to work with it and added more icing sugar as I went along. I was finally able to roll it out but it was very problematic.
Any ideas for next time?
Hey Shirley, It’s ok to add more or less powdered sugar than stated in the recipe. But, do not add too much flour.
It all depends on how hot the mixture is when you melt the liquid ingredients. It is ok for the dough to be a bit sticky
Most importantly, you must let the fondant rest for a few hours then knead it. If necessary add more p.sugar
If you add too much-powdered sugar before you let it rest – that’s when it becomes hard and difficult to knead. It also lacks elasticity
I hope this makes sense.
Hello I have a question please. Does the fondant from this recipe sweat? If yes how can I prevent that.
Fondant sweating has to do with humidity – so yes, if you live in a place with high humidity then the fondant will sweat. Read more hear – 14 tips for working with fondant
Thanks for the response. Tried making the fondant today. It was really great. Very easy to work with. My question now is can I steam the cake with this fondant recipe?, Also can I use this recipe for moulding for example cartoon characters? Thanks for making me want to cover my cakes with fondant again.
Yes, you can use this fondant just like a commercial fondant. To use for modeling you will need to condition the fondant with CMC or tylose powder.
Thanks again for this amazing recipe. Please you didn’t answer the question about steaming the cake with this recipe. I usually steam my cakes after covering with fondant to to make it look neat. Your timely response is much appreciated. Thank you soooo much?
Judith. I do not steam my cakes but yes, it should be ok to steam the cake.
Any substitute for both gelatin and meringue powder?
You can omit the meringue powder. If you dont’ have gelatin try making Vegetarian fondant with agar-agar or marshmallow fondant
Is the resting of the fondant overnight, mandatory?
You can do a few hours too but it does need to rest so the gelatin will set otherwise the fondant will be too soft
Hi Veena! Is this fondant recipe good for covering cakes or making fondant models? If using to cover cakes with buttercream coating will it dry? Can i store cakes covered with this fondant in fridge or room temperature?
Hey Keerthana. Yes, you can use this to cover cakes with buttercream, ganache or other frostings too. A fondant cake can be kept in the fridge. You will find these tips helpful – 14 tips for working with fondant.
Hi I do not own a microwave and refuse to use one. How should I heat the mixture with gelatin
You can use a double boiler Kay
Hi Veena,
I always make your recipe for my fondant,but last time it didn’t come out as good as before. I realized that you changed something about it. Before, we used to melt the shortening in the microwave after the gelatin has melted, now it’s different, but my fondant was melting.
Plus, I am not finding corn syrup as easy as before, and I have my son’s birthday coming soon. Any substitutes for the corn syrup?
Thanks in advance.
Hey Rolyn, NO I have not changed my fondant recipes in years. But, if that’s what works for you, go ahead and continue that way. Glucose is a good substitute for corn syrup. Same quantity. Thanks
Oh, ok! Thanks a lot! I will try it ?
Hi you can make a mock corn syrup. You can boil corn cobs and add sugar to it You’ll need a candy thermometer. I’ve made it with just filtered water not the corncobs to make homemade marshmallows and it was good. Look up a recipe for “corn syrup”
yes, I have not tried using homemade corn syrup in this. You can also use Glucose instead of corn syrup
Hi Veena,
I live in Raanana also, I wanted to know where you find your glycerin?
Thanks!
Hey Debbie – Glycerin is available at most pharmacies – tell them you want the edible glycerin.
Is there a substitute for the glycerin?
You can omit the glycerin.
Hi! Just wanna ask if I can make flowers and other decorative cake designs out of this fondant recipe? If not, how can I alter this so I can make one. I have perfect result following this recipe. Thanks a lot.
You will need to add CMCB or Tylose powder to the fondant to make figures. For delicate flowers it’s best to use gumpaste
Already did and I was able to make beautiful flowers out of fondant w/ tylose (however it does not harden well). I just did your gumpaste recipe and it’s now resting in the fridge. My mixture turned out perfect again! Your tutorials are very helpful and simplified. I’m your new fan here. Thank you veena.
Thank you, Aye. Happy your found the useful
Is there a substitute fo merigue powder?
You can omit the meringue powder Litia