This homemade vegetarian fondant recipe is without gelatin. This simple and easy recipe uses agar-agar which is plant-based. The recipe is adapted from my most popular homemade fondant recipe. In addition, this fondant is also vegan, eggless, dairy-free, and Parve and can be used to cover cakes, cookies, or cupcakes.
Table of Content
While my homemade Fondant recipe is very popular, it also contains gelatin. Thus, it's unsuitable for people who are vegetarian. And, I also have tons of people requesting how to change or substitute it to vegetarian fondant. So, of course, I had to go and figure out how it would work out without gelatin.
So, finally I did test my recipe and am happy to say this is what works best for the vegetarian version of the fondant. In fact, this recipe is basically adapted from my homemade fondant recipe. And, as you can see, most of the ingredients are the same with changes only made to the amounts. So, try and keep the amounts mentioned in this recipe accurate.
Below, is the cake I made with this vegetarian fondant. I did not take any progress pictures because the method is exactly the same as my Homemade Fondant recipe.
Agar Agar
This is vegetarian seaweed-based gelatin that comes in powder form. And, it works quite the same as gelatin. However, there are different qualities in the market, some better than others. So keep that in mind.
And, those of you in India, can also get agar-agar in the form of China grass. I think that's what the term is. In fact, it is agar-agar but very diluted and does not set in the same manner. So, if you use it you may find that the fondant is less stretch or elastic.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Water - Water is the easiest to dissolve agar-agar. Having said that, I often use fresh cream (just like my homemade fondant recipe). And yet, not everyone seems to have success using fresh cream to dissolve agar agar. So, to keep things easy - let's just do water.
- Light corn syrup - Can be found in any cake decorating store. And, if you cannot find light corn syrup, you can also use glucose. Use the same quantity the only difference is glucose is thicker than light corn syrup. That's ok.
- Agar Agar - You can also use 1 tablespoon of vegetarian gelatin instead. I made a special note about agar-agar - please read above.
- Glycerin - Please use only edible glycerin found at most cake decorating stores or pharmacy.
- Clear vanilla - The purpose of clear vanilla is to maintain the white color of the fondant. And, if you cannot find clear vanilla, you can also use rose extract or almond extract.
- Powdered sugar - Also called confectioners sugar or icing sugar. I highly recommend using powdered sugar made with cane sugar, not beet sugar. Since, beet sugar has a tendency to be very grainy.
So, make sure you do not have lumps in your powder sugar. And, if necessary sift the sugar.
Here is another cake I made using this fondant
Step by step instructions
- First, prepare a bowl with 400 grams of powdered sugar, salt, and tylose powder.
- Next, make a hollow in the center ready for our agar agar mixture.
Dissolve Agar Agar
- Dissolve agar-agar in water - let sit for 5 minutes.
- Then, add light corn syrup after the agar-agar has soaked in the water.
- Place on the stovetop on medium-low heat (takes time but it will dissolve).
- Stir continuously until well dissolved.
- Note: keep the heat to med-low or the water will all evaporate. And, if the mixture becomes to thick add a few tablespoons of water.
- Next, add glycerine and stir well.
Tip - If you find the agar-agar is setting - place it back on the heat to ensure it's melted again. - While still warm and liquid, pour right the mixture immediately into the bowl with powdered sugar.
- Note - if the agar-agar is not completely dissolved - pour the mixture thru a sieve so you won't have grains in the finished product.
Combine well
- Working quickly.
- Use a wooden spoon to combine the powdered sugar and liquid.
- Then, knead with your hand - adding additional powdered sugar to make a pliable dough. Also, add in the tylose powder and knead it in
- Note: Do not add too much of the powdered sugar as the fondant will firm as it rests in the fridge.
- You want it to be pliable but not sticky. And, you don't want it to be stiff. In fact, you can add more powdered sugar later too.
Rest until set
- Divide the mixture into two (or more) portions and place in a ziplock bag.
- Then, place these zip lock bags in a plastic container to prevent drying.
- Let rest in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight.
Using the fondant
- First, bring fondant to room temperature by leaving it out for a couple of hours.
- Once set, fondant can be stored at room temperature (see storage).
- And, knead well before you use. Kneading is key to getting a smooth fondant covered cake.
- And, if the fondant is too stiff - a 5 sec burst in the microwave works great.
Storage
- Regular fondant can last for months if kept properly.
- In fact, the high quantity of powdered sugar works as a preservative.
- Also, this fondant can stay at room temperature for about a month on the counter. I usually portion mine into 1 kg / 2-pound bags.
Having said that, in the interest of safety If you are not using your fondant it’s best to keep it in the fridge rather than on the counter especially in summer months. If you have hot and humid weather it's best to keep the fondant in the fridge if not using for a few days just to be safe and ensure good preservation. - You can also place them in the fridge for up to 3 months. If you need to keep it longer store it in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge Just take it out a couple of hours or the night before you need it.
- Being a cake decorator my fondant doesn’t usually stay long. I make a couple of batches in one month. So if you do have any information to share please put a comment at the bottom of this post so it will help the other users.
Using the fondant
Lastly, when ready to use. Remove from the fridge and let it reach room temperature. Once at room temperature, knead well until soft, and yet not sticky. Now, you can also add more powdered sugar if needed. Can you see the elasticity? You should be able to pull it like this - like taffy.
How do you color homemade rolled fondant
Being a cake decorator, I have tons of posts related to fondant, including tutorials. So I won't bore you by repeating myself. Therefore, I shared two detailed posts one was 14 must-know tips for working with fondant and the other being How to color fondant. In addition, I'll also give you a few important tips here.
- Always use edible food color gels for coloring fondant. Because they will not make your fondant softer in 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 gloved hands also helps. Personally, 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.
How much fondant do I need for my cake?
The chart below is based on 4 inch tall cakes. For shorter height you will need less and tall cakes will obviously need more.
Having said that, this presumes rolling fondant closer to ⅛" thickness. If you roll fondant too thick closer to ¼" inch thick you will need more.
| 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 | |
More fondant recipes
- See all Fondant recipes
- Best EVER Homemade Fondant
- Homemade Chocolate Fondant from Scratch
- Perfect Homemade Black Fondant Recipe
- Chocolate Marshmallow Fondant
- Best Homemade Marshmallow Fondant
Frequently asked questions
Yes, fondant contains all edible ingredients and is definitely edible. Also, it is sweeter than most other frostings.
However, often fondant is used for just decorative purposes. So, if a cake decorator says the fondant is not edible she has probably used some ingredients that are not edible like metallic silver or gold dust.
Absolutely! One issue when using a stand mixer is that we tend to add too much-powdered sugar. In fact, it's best to add just until the mixture is coming together. Then, finishing it off by hand on a counter so you get a better understanding of how much-powdered sugar you need.
Homemade fondant can last for up to 2 years if stored properly. Moreover, fondant is a sugar paste that is high in sugar and works as a natural preservative. And, the storage instructions for this fondant recipe are detailed above.
Fondant can be stored in a cool dry place away from heat and sunlight for up to 4 weeks at room temperature. In addition, you can also keep it for up to six months in the fridge and up to 2 years in the freezer.
And, 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.
First, use a measuring tape and measure the top and height of the two sides of the cake and add a few more inches for a hangover.
For example, an 8-inch cake will be 8 inches on top and 4 inches tall so I will need to roll 8 + 4 + 4 = 16 inches and a few extra inches.
I have given a detailed chart above that gives you an approximate amount of fondant needed for your cake.
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 even store it in the fridge.
The shelf life of a cake depends on the cake recipe as well as the fillings and frostings used. And, fondant does do a good job of locking in moisture which automatically extends the life of the cake.
Yes, you can put fondant-covered cakes in the fridge. And, when you take it out of the fridge there will be some condensation depending on the weather. So, just leave it alone and the condensation should dry off on its own as the cake comes to room temperature.
The fondant needs to be rolled between ¼ to 18 inches. Too thick will crack the fondant around the edges and too thin will tear the fondant around the edges. In addition, no one wants to eat a thick layer of sugar on top of a 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.
Water! Fondant is sugar so water melts the sugar and when dried it stick together. But you can also use Tylose glue, sugar glue, and vegetable shortening.
I believe you can. However, I have never had to freeze a cake with fondant. And, if you wrap the cake well in plastic and then parchment paper you should be able to freeze the cake. Then, thaw it in the fridge overnight, not on the countertop. This will keep the condensation on the wrappers, not the cake.
First, clean the work surface well then dust with powdered sugar or cornstarch. Then, rotate and keep moving the fondant around when rolling to ensure it does not stick. And, if necessary, add a little more dusting on the work surface.
Troubleshooting
- My rolled fondant is cracking when rolled? Often the issue here is that too much-powdered sugar has been added.
- Why is my rolled fondant tearing on the cake? Fondant needs to be rolled between ¼" to ⅛" thick. In fact, ¼" is too thick. And, it can cause the fondant to break with its own weight. And, ⅛" is thin and can cause the fondant to tear as you stretch it. However, finding that right thickness that works for you comes with practice, so don't give up.
- My homemade fondant is too sticky? If you are making homemade fondant and the fondant is still too sticky - you probably need more fondant. And, if you live in a hot humid place and over-knead the fondant it can also become sticky. In this case, you need to let the fondant rest and then roll again later. Or place in the fridge until it cools off a bit.
- My fondant is too hard what can I do? First, 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, its best to use this fondant for decorative purposes and decorations. Then, make a fresh batch for covering the cake.
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Printable Recipe
Homemade Vegetarian Fondant from Scratch
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Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Water
- 2 tablespoon Agar-agar powder
- ½ cup (120 ml) Light corn syrup
- 3 tablespoon Veg shortening
- 1 ½ tablespoon Glycerin
- 6 cups (700 g) Powdered sugar (confectioners sugar or icing sugar)
- 1 teaspoon Clear vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Tylose powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Extra
- 1 cup (120 g) Powdered sugar (if necessary for kneading)
Instructions
- Prepare a bowl with 3 cups (almost half) of powdered sugar.
- Make a hollow in the center ready for our agar agar mixture.
Dissolved Agar Agar
- Dissolve Agar Agar in water - let sit for 5 minutes. It will become thick and gelatinous in consistency.
- Add light corn syrup to the soaked agar-agar.
- Place on the stovetop on medium-low heat (takes time but it will dissolve).
- Stir continuously until well dissolved. Note: keep the heat to med-low or the water will all evaporate. If the mixture becomes to thick add a few tablespoons of water.
- When the agar agar is dissolved . Add glycerine and stir well.Tip - if you find the agar-agar is setting - place it back on the heat to ensure it's melted again.
- While still warm and liquid - pour right the mixture immediately into the bowl with powdered sugar.
- (note - if the agar-agar is not completely dissolved - pour the mixture thru a sieve so you won't have grains in the finished product).
Combine well
- Working quickly.
- Use a wooden spoon to combine the powdered sugar and liquid.
- Then knead with your hand - adding additional powdered sugar to make a pliable dough. Also, add in the tylose powder and knead it in
- Note: Do not add too much powder sugar as the fondant will firm as it rests in the fridge. Use vegetable shortening to knead.
- You want it to be pliable but not sticky nor do you want it to be stiff. You can add more powder sugar later too.
Rest until set
- Divide the mixture into two (or more) portions and place in a ziplock bag.
- Place these zip lock bags in a plastic container to prevent drying.
- Let rest in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight.
Using the fondant
- Bring fondant to room temperature by leaving it out for a couple of hours.
- Once set fondant can be stored at room temperature (see storage).
- Knead well before you use. Kneading is key to getting a smooth fondant covered cake.
- If the fondant is too stiff - a 5 sec burst in the microwave works great.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Sneh Arora
Dear Veena,
When do we add the vegetable shortening ( 3 tbsp). Is it to be used later while kneading the dough.
Or
Do we add It (3 tbso) to the light corn syrup before adding to the powdered sugar and use additional shortening to knead the dough.
Also when do we add the vanilla essence. Is it to be added with the glycerine. Thanks
Veena Azmanov
Sneha the recipe clearly states to add the vegetable shortening when kneading. You can add vanilla at any time beginning or end.
Sneh Arora
Dear Veena,
I tried the recipe couple of times but did not work. I found the amount of water 60 ml very less for warming 2 tablespoons of agar agar. Can you please clarify this part. it may be very helpful. thanks very much.
Veena Azmanov
That is what I use Sneh. But you can use a little more water. Try 4 tbsp of water if it helps.
Sneh Arora
Dear Veena,
Thanks so much for the prompt response. I will try it. Regards
Maulika
Without tylose powder how can I make this fondant cause I don’t have it
Veena Azmanov
You can make this without Tylose but the dough will be fairly soft. Still works though!
Catherine
Hi Veena
Thanks for your great recipe. I have made this recipe several times. However, after couple weeks, when I unwrap the fondant, it has this sharp smell which is not very pleasant. Is this normal?
Veena Azmanov
Hey Catherine. Not sure what smell but it must not be unpleasant. Mine usually smells of the flavoring used. Are you keeping it in the fridge or outside? Perhaps your weather conditions need the fondant to be in the fridge.
Catherine
I kept them outside. I believe you are right about the room temperature it's been kept. I'll keep it in fridge then. Thanks for your help!
Liz
Using this recipe for my daughter's birthday cake. At what stage do you add the food coloring?
Veena Azmanov
Liz, you can add the color at the beginning in the wet ingredients if you plan to make the whole batch one color or later once the fondant is set and ready to use. Add a few drops of gel foood colors.
I like to add color only later to small portions as and when I need it. Always keeps some uncolored on hand just in case you need.
Sarita
Hi Veena
Is there any alternative to make fondant less sweet?
Veena Azmanov
Sarita. Fondant is sugar paste made with powdered sugar. Unless you choose to substitute some of the powdered sugar with another starch you can't make it less sweet.
Anjali
Hi Anjali here
In your Recipe you have written Tylose Powder 1 tspoon but have not added in the method .So my question is when to add the Tylose Powder.?
Would like to know as I m learning to make fondant n I’m new to it.
I m a home baker .
Thanks ?
Veena Azmanov
You can add the tylose with the powdered sugar
Anjalj
Hi Veena Thanks for you prompt response.?