17 Replies

Elizabeth, I find when buying commercial fondant, it can vary greatly from batch to batch. I make my own mmf, and add it to store bought fondant. I use Liz Marek’s recipe, and the fondant is great. If you don’t have time to fiddle making more, try kneading in some shortening. Then use cornflour when rolling out
Here is the link if you want to try making/doctoring your fondant:.
http://artisancakecompany.com/recipe/the-best-marshmallow-fondant-recipe-ever/
Also there is a “wrap around method” for tall cakes. Here’s the link:
http://sweetnessandbite.com/2016/07/how-to-wrap-a-cake-with-fondant/
Hope this helps.

Great advice there from June. I find though when I use renshaw icing that zapping it in the microwave for 10 seconds before kneading stops it from drying out and cracking and gives me more time to get it on the cake. I find that fondant cracks more when it’s cold? It also gives me an extra few seconds to work with it if the weather is particularly humid. Failing that I would follow June’s advice. Good luck. xx

Just like June I make my Lmf and actually instead of Wilton (they use it in the recipe) I use renshaw and get a great quality fondant. I have covered 10" ball cake flawlessly with it andfind it the best combo ever.

I agree with everyone else, Liz Marek’s marshmallow fondant with a bit of commercial fondant added. I am a long way from professional, but it works beautifully for me. Easy, cheap and you could use the Renshaw you already have.

I love Renshaw for smaller projects, but for icing celebration cakes etc I use Massa Ticino, you can roll it reallly thin, never rips, or cracks, it’s also slightly lower in sugar. Hope that helps?

Thanks everyone for your help, I really appreciate the time you took out to help. Second round was much better, I bought a batch at tesco as I know the fondant better and warmed it up a while and worked a little quicker and it seemed to help so whoever mentioned warming it up, thanks. I must try making my own with that recipe but didn’t have time or the right marsh mellows this time. Cheers xxx

You’re welcome Elizabeth. 😁👍 xx

Good luck!

I’m sure you will post pics of the cake..hope all goes well..

I’ve had great success over the past 12 years making my own MMF. LOVE it. Can be rolled thinly, flavored with cotton candy LorAn extracts or Marshmallow extract, whitener can be added, it’s a dream and it’s dirt cheap. :-)

Sorry to be late and no help for this occasion but……
I use Tesco own brand too and find that kneading a little trex into it helps and you really do have to knead it well these days, it’s not as soft as it used to be.
I have been told by someone that does a lot of cakes, that the Asda brand is good as it has more stretch than Tesco.

Many thanks again and for the additional advice! Here is the cake I have now posted it.

This was a Naval themed wedding cake for my newest oldest friends Sir Barry and Georgina who met in the retirement home where I work and found love again in their 80’s! It was an honor to do their cake. The semaphore flags up the side read their names, the Anchor and leaves design are taken from his uniform hat and are covered in real gold leaf! And the sailors knot signifies tying the knot.

The fondant looks flawless Elizabeth, you would never know you had trouble. Wonderful cake…

June’s right – it looks perfect (and what a lovely story behind it)

Oh what a lovely cake and an even more lovely story xx
To find love again is so special.
I used to use Tesco’s fondant, but it let me down too many times so I use Sainsbury’s now. It tastes so good too.
You did an awesome recovery job though Elizabeth!! xx

Wow! Fab cake 👏🍾

Your cake is flawless, Elizabeth! You did a masterful job of recovery! Wonderful design and wonderful story!