Fun with Fondant and a Giveaway
You know those big beautiful cakes that you see on all those reality baking shows? With all the different shapes and colors of fondant? I’ve honestly never had ambitions to make anything like that. But I’ve also never given it a shot. When Megan from Delicious Dishings and I were talking about our latest baking date, the idea was thrown out there to play with fondant. We figured it would be a fun first to tackle together.
And, to sweeten the deal, the lovely people at King Arthur Flour offered to send us each a tub of their white fondant to play with. In preparations for our fun with fondant day, I baked up a couple cake layers for each of us (we also decorated some cupcakes, that post will be coming later).
Megan decided to make a fall themed cake, while I decided to make a pink ribbon cake. I had great great ambitions in my mind of what this cake would look like. I wanted a big fat pink swirled ribbon draped over the entirety of my cake. But let me back up a minute.
First, we frosted our cakes with some buttercream. We let the cakes chill in the fridge for a bit while we each rolled out some fondant. To coat the cake, we rolled the fondant fairly thin, about 1/8″ thick. To get the rolled out fondant onto my cake, I folded my fondant in quarters, laid it on top of the cake and unfolded it. This was my first mistake of the day. When I unfolded the fondant, it had little seams in it from the fold. I had hoped to be able to smooth them out, but wasn’t able to. Next time, I’d roll the fondant onto the rolling pin and unroll onto the cake.
The next step was to press down the fondant on the sides of the cake. Megan ended up cutting part of her fondant out and I went with the approach of just continuing to press it down and try to smooth it out. Both strategies ended up working, although we both had some uneven fondant on our cakes.
Next cake the decorations. We both took a small portion of fondant and put a few drops of gel food coloring into it. With our hands, we kneaded the fondant until the color was dispersed. Then we played around with the marbling. I’m sure Megan has some intermediate pictures, but I didn’t get any that day. I basically took a small ball of dark pink and a small ball of light pink. I divided each ball in half and rolled them into a long snake. Then I basically laid the ropes out and twisted them together. Then I just rolled the colors together and flipped and kept rolling and flipping until I got a swirl in my fondant. I rolled out a very large piece and just cut out the pink ribbon with a knife.
I draped the pink ribbon over the cake and I loved it instantly! That’s when I discovered my second mistake (or maybe it was my first in reality). You see, my cake layers were frozen at the beginning of the day. They were defrosting while the plain white fondant sat on the cake. This resulted in my white fondant sweating as the cake layers cooled. This was great in the fact that the pink ribbon stuck to the white fondant without any additional aid.
I then decided that the cake felt a little naked. So I mixed my swirled pink fondant with some white fondant to make more swirls. Then I made the dots to decorate the rest of the cake. I think it turned out pretty nicely for my first fondant cake. I’m not sure I’ll be making any big masterpieces in the near future, but it sure was fun to try something new with a friend.
And NOW, after all of that, comes the good part. The giveaway. King Arthur Flour has generously offered one lucky reader of mine and Megan’s the chance to try playing with fondant themselves. I will choose one entry at random to win one tub of white fondant.
Rules for Giveaway:
– Be sure to follow King Arthur Flour either on Facebook, Twitter, or by subscribing to their newsletter (check the lower right hand corner of their website)
– Leave a comment by 11:59PM (EST) on Friday October 7th answering this question – What do you think about fondant? Love it? Hate it? Peel it off before digging in? Eat it all up?
– Only one entry per person
– US or Canada shipping addresses only
Don’t worry, I’ll post more about the inside of this cake shortly. This post is long enough already…
Don’t forget about my Power of Pink Challenge – make something PINK by the end of the month to raise Breast Cancer Awareness!
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
I’d buy cast iron cookware! I keep meaning to, and I really really need some!
I’m eyeballing this one: http://www.cookware.com/Emerilware-by-All-Clad-EC81121-EAC1034.html
Also, I’ve just followed you on Facebook!
I love, love, love kitchen ware, but I just found out I’m expecting my first baby so I would use $40 to buy an adorable crib set I saw on the site!
I am in desperate need of new cookie sheets – so I’d more than likely get a few of those.
We’re moving in a couple of months, so I’d probably save it to use on new furniture for the new house.
I’m a facebook fan.
I love these outside torches
http://www.cookware.com/Blomus-65012-RY1030.html
Completely random…but this laundry caddy would really come in handy!
http://www.csnstores.com/Venture-Horizon-4010-11WH-VHZ1004.html
I would love to buy some lighting for our daughter’s playroom.
Love the wine rack!
I would either buy a new spring form pan as mine is as old as I am, or those ramekin’s! I have wanted ramekins for a long time!
Great giveaway, I despserately need new cookware
Very cool, really could use a new cookie sheet, mine are lookin old!
I’m a fb fan too
well I’m either a facebook fan or I just like you. . . not sure. I could really use some new sheet pans. . . but I can always figure out something to spend $40 on relating to my kitchen;)
I would LOVE to get some new kitchenware or a new Kitchen Aid Mixer!!
I am a facebook friend!
I would buy a crock pot from their cooking site. I have been dying to have one and make some pulled chicken for a summer barbecue!
I think I’d probably get those ramekins that you posted! I’d love to have a set. 🙂
Also – I’m already a fan on FB! 🙂
I love the ramekins….I would love to have a set!!
I just followed on Facebook!!
I would buy the Haan Floor Steam Cleaner for Hard Surfaces because I have a 9 month old who is all over the place and my wife and I want piece of mind knowing that the floors are always clean and he wouldn’t be exposed to unnecessary germs 🙂 When my wife was pregnant, she would watch this infomercial all the time at night and she fell in love with this thing!
I would buy some wall art for our kitchen.. we have nothing
I am a fan on Facebook 😉
I’d use the $40 toward the purchase of an EarthPan cookware set!
I “like”‘d Beantown Baker on FB!
DH and I never registered for formal place settings, so I’d get some of those!
I have those ramekins and love them 🙂
I’d buy this mortar and pestle set http://www.cookware.com/Cuisinox-MOR12-CNX1236.html
I am also following you on facebook now.
I like their stuff, I am sure I can spend $40 on “something”.
I joined the facebook fan club.
I’ve been looking to get another paring knife for my kitchen, so I’d get the Zwilling JA Henckels Twin Four Star 3″ Paring Knife.
And I need a slicer, so the Jaccard Advanced Ceramic Hand Held Dual Direction Mandolin Slicer
Those ramekins!
I would get one of these cutting boards: http://www.cookware.com/John-Boos-2XX-JB1042.html
Thanks for this giveaway!
I’m already a fan on facebook. 🙂
I would buy a new 3.5″ paring knife because my mom decided it would be wise to use my old one (which I loved) to scrape old glue off of something. Since then I’ve been cooking with a knife that has no tip (go figure!). 🙂
I’d put it towards a Le Creuset French or Dutch Oven in Dune… *swoon*
I would buy some bakeware pieces or for a splurge a chandellier for the kitchen to replace my dingy white ceiling fan.
I am also a FB fan
I would also shop for dining chairs!
I would use toward the purchase of a French oven- although the hubs will have to pitch in for the difference.
Following on FB too!
I’d buy this rolling pin because I do not have one and always have to borrow my neighbors!
http://www.cookware.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-47034-52-WCS2293.html
Just “liked” your site on FB!
I would put it towards a new cookware set for my sister! They will be moving soon and she could use new pots and pans!!
I like the “evening sun” pattern dishes and would love the pitcher or serving platter.
I’m already a fan of your page on Facebook!
I would put it toward some home accessories, I’m lacking in that department.
My sister is getting married in the fall so I would likely get her some new cookware.
I think I would use it towards the Bissell Little Green Compact Deep Cleaner. My full-sized carpet cleaner bit the dust.
dftrew(At)gmail(dot)com
we are in need of a coffee table, and have been looking for a square one for ages. and lo and behold, i found one on the site! so i would order this:
http://www.allcoffeetables.com/Woodbridge-Home-Designs-1376-01-HE2870.html
and pay the excess to buy the coffee table.
i’m also a facebook fan
I would ABSOLUTELY use it toward a Le Creuset 2.75 Quart Round French Oven in Kiwi 🙂
I became a fan on FB
Awesome giveaway! I love CSN.
With $40 I would…probably get some new bakeware…there are so many shapes, colors, and sizes that I don’t have!
Those ramekins are pretty darn adorable, I think I’d have to go with those.
i know what I want…the white 6 quart stockpot! i have always wanted a stockpot and this is the one! Please, please, please!
How fun! I would get a new outdoor light for our lamppost! I cannot believe how many options there are!
Craftmade – Z285-04 / Z285-05 / Z285-07 – Cast Aluminum Outdoor Post Mount
That’s the one I have my eye on now!
Thanks!
Hard choice! I would probably put it toward a new griddle, or a Dutch oven!
I’d probably buy some slip covers for my sofas in the living room and some new pillows for them.
I’m a facebook Fan!!!
I would prob. also buy or put this towards a new grill.
Oh I definitely need a big ole skillet. I’m sick of trying to saute a mountain of veggies in my medium sized one!
Amanda @ WannaBe Chef
I am about to close on a house so I need everything!
I’m a fan on facebook too!
I have never had any cast iron cookware and would love to use it so I would definitely use it for that!
accent pillows…something I really need but never put the $$$ out for…
I’m a facebook fan 🙂
I would buy a new dog bed for my dog.
I’d get myself a waffle iron!
urchiken at gmail dot com
I absolutely love that wine rack! If I splurged and spent my own money too, I would have to put the $40 toward a TV stand. Hubby’s pride and joy is his 60-inch flat screen, which we currently have sitting on my college coffee table. We need a grown-up place to put it!
I really like this rug: http://www.diningsets.com/Nourison-ST17-GLD-NO10036.html
THanks for the giveaway!
contact email: tsgiveaways(at)hotmail.com
I am a fan on Facebook too.
I would love to buy the : Meco 9000 Series Pedestal Tabletop Electric Grill… because I can’t grill on my condo patio!
I have a small dining room myself, and have been looking for chairs to match our table as well. It’s is pub height which is perfect for the highchair to sit next to, but the chairs don’t have backs and they are SO uncomfortable. I would LOVE to have the $40 to buy some instead of having to put out for a whole new dining set.
I would buy an ice cream maker!! We’ve been down in the dumps since our son was diagnosed with a nut allergy, and have known that we can’t have those wonderful summer trips to dairy queen, or the ice cream shoppes. I’ve been wanting to get an ice cream maker so we can start our own summer-time tradition, allergen free 🙂 It would just be a bonus to get part of it free 😉
I’m a fan on facebook 🙂
Oh those ramakins are so cool. I love the color!
Hmmmm I guess I would have to say knives. My boys have taken the knives I have outside ….I am not sure why or what they did.
I’d probably use it towards a pot rack…not sure which one though!
I would get a dresser for our baby girl that will be here in a month! Love this one: http://www.csnstores.com/Powell-Furniture-407-005-407-020-PW3480.html
I’ve also became a fan, had done it just moments before I read this post!
Oooh… I’m all about the Le Creuset baking dishes:
http://www.cookware.com/Le-Creuset-PG051926-17-LEC2065.html
Signed up as a fan on facebook!!
I would choose a wall art called IMAX 4 Piece Bess Wall Decor Set
I just recently learned about CSN stores, and now I love it! I love that vertical wine rack you posted, but I think I’d go with a sushi set. I’ve been itching to make my own sushi, but have yet to buy the tools for it!
I think I would get either a wine refrigerator or exercise equipment.
I’d buy the cake wire slicer: http://www.cookware.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-47031-44-WCS4130.html. Boy would that make my life easier! Or a mandolin: http://www.cookware.com/Jaccard-200421-JCD1004.html, which I’ve been meaning to get for a while. Or a julienne peeler: http://www.cookware.com/Cuisipro-747069-Julienne-Peeler-CPR1447.html for me and me friend. And if I was feeling generous, I’d get my friend a food mill: http://www.cookware.com/Cuisinox-MIL22-CNX1227.html. I could go on and on…
…and I just became a fan on facebook!
Hoping to find out that we are expecting soon, so I would use it for the baby 🙂
I am a facebook fan now too!
Man, I really need to prepare my giveaway post. I’m so lazy sometimes. lol
I’d get a larger pot. I have a small one and a giant one. I need something in the middle there 🙂
Because we are in need of one I would get a booster seat for our daughter.
I have been eyeing the Citron Duvet Set by Ashley for months and while $40 wouldn’t cover all of it, it would certainly help!
I’m a an on FB!
I love that wine rack–its perfect for our living room!!
i joined on FB!
I would love to get some more kitchen ware- new cookie sheets and cake pans, maybe the cool saute pan, or the ramekins! Or…or….or- there is just so much!
Following you on FB, too….
We just moved in to our house a few months ago so my list could go on for days! But I am really in need of some new bake ware!!
I’d buy cast iron cookware or glassware!
I am a follower on facebook!
I love that hanging wall wine rack!
I think I would have to put it towards a good saute pan.
I would DEFINITELY buy this mirror – I’m in the market for a new entry mirror and the price tag is almost perfect! 🙂
http://www.csnmirrors.com/Ashton-Sutton-STM034-ASH1133.html
i’d either put it toward my nesting – fiance and i are house hunting! or i’d use it to help my bakeware supply grow. i am in desperate need of some very useful pieces.
I would probably put it towards a pizza stone. I have been wanting one but need a push to actually GET one
We need some lights for the dining room, but selfishly I would want to get something for the kitchen!
I just liked you on facebook!
I would use the $40 to buy these:
– Paderno World Cuisine Non-Stick 4 Baguette Pan
– Paderno World Cuisine Cannoli Form in Stainless Steel
I love baking and these would give me the opportunity to try some new recipes!
I would get the little tikes wagon for my kids
luvtosave at gmail.com
I’d get a NettoCollection Polar Bear Rocking Horse
I could use some of my own cookware pans. Thanks for the giveaway!
Chris
zekks at yahoo dot com
I’d like to get a huge bamboo cutting board!
We just bought our first house and need more space in my kitchen so I would buy this kitchen cart.
http://www.allkitchencarts.com/Home-Styles-5023-95-88324-HO1239.html
I would use it towards a Le Creuset Dutch oven…a guilty pleasure for me!
I would get the The Memory Company Boston Red Sox 12″ Art Glass Clock
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
I like you on Facebook!
Carol Anderson Ezovski
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
I would get Guidecraft Center Stage Tabletop Puppet Theater for my nephew!
Looking for a red kitchen hand mixer or a special housewarming gift. Each of my daughters move this next month to a new place, so I am shopping around!
Thanks,
Elaine
i’m a fan!!!! yaaaaaay!
I’d put it towards bar stools, we’ve been looking for a pair to put at our kitchen island!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I’d probably get a wall clock for my sun room.
I’m a fb fan!
I would have to buy either new glassware or new cookie sheets! My poor neglected cookie sheets really should be retired 🙂
It is commonly agreed that the dining table is the staple of any family home; a chance for hectic lifestyles to take a pause and children and parents to sit down, share a meal and gather their thoughts. In today’s modern day, technology obsessed, fast paced lifestyle; meal times are now quite easily the only time for family members to communicate with one another yet having said that it is still common for many to neglect their choice in dining furniture.”‘
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