Have you ever tried to put fondant on a round cake, failed and then wondered how on earth all those bakers or instagramers do it? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. That’s why we’ve combined all of our baking knowledge here at Cake Decorating Central to create this tutorial on how to cover a round cake with fondant. This tutorial will help you create a smooth and crisp cake that will impress, you’ll be feeling like a pro in no time!
The first step to having a smooth fondant covered cake is to ensure that the cake has been evenly levelled and filled.
It is also important to note that the type of cake will play a large part in this process. If you have a lighter textured cake, it may struggle with holding onto the weight of the fondant. Whereas if you had a cake that was more dense in texture, it should hold the weight of the fondant well.
Once your cake has been evenly levelled and filled, place the cake on a cake board and lightly ice it with buttercream. It is important here to ensure that it is smooth and even as any lumps or bumps will show through the fondant.
Preparing the fondant
To prepare the fondant you want to knead it until it’s pliable and flexible. If you want to add anyfood colouring, add it during this step and knead it until the colour is evenly distributed.
Dust your surface with cornstarch or powdered sugar to prepare for rolling.
Ensure that the surface is flat and clean. This is to make sure that the fondant does not pick up any textures or substances.
Rolling the Fondant
Shape your fondant in a round shape before you begin rolling it out. This is so that it can stay circular once you start rolling.
Grab your rolling pin and begin to roll from the centre outwards and never roll completely over the edge. This is to avoid thin edges.
To keep a circular shape, roll in all directions.
Make sure that you pick the fondant up from time to time to ensure that it’s not sticking to the surface.
If you have any air bubbles, pop them on an angle with a pin.
Putting fondant on the cake
For the best results, you will need to put the fondant on the cake while it’s still fresh and pliable. This is so that it’s easier to smooth and will avoid cracking.
Ensure that your iced cake is still tacky. If it has dried out, spray the surface with water.
Place the roller in the middle of the fondant and place one side over, almost like you’re folding the fondant in half.
Centre the fondant and then gently roll it out over the cake.
Smoothing the fondant on the cake
Begin smoothing the top of your cake with a fondant smoother.
For the sides, very gently pull and stretch the fondant away from the cake and smooth with your hands to get rid of any creases.
If your fondant is struggling to stick to your cake, add some water with your hands underneath the fondant and smooth it over.
The use the fondant smoother around the entire cake to ensure that it has stuck to cake and so that it looks completely smooth
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if the fondant is sticking to my hands?
If you’re finding that the fondant is sticking to your hands, put powdered sugar or shortening onto your hands and the fondant. This should reduce any stickiness.
How thick should my fondant be?
It is recommended that you roll your fondant between 3mm - 6mm. To help with this, we stock rolling pin height guides/discs to help you achieve your desired thickness every time.
What do I do if my fondant is dry?
If you're finding that your fondant is dry and cracking, simply add some shortening into your fondant during the kneading process.
How do I fix a crack in my fondant
To fix a crack in your fondant, simply mix some fondant and water until it's a creamy consistency and apply it to the cracks. Smooth it out and you'll be good to go!
