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 just had a delicious lunch at Flour while on vacation in Boston! Tried the lime cornmeal cookie (holy pop of flavor!) and vegan muffin (scrumptious!). Would love to win this special cookbook for my boyfriend. Please make the book out to Keith 🙂
I would love a copy! The Flour Bakery is famous the world over (or at least as far as Wisconsin!) 🙂 Please have it signed to “Becca – a lover of life and great food!”
finally one for us outside the US 🙂 Made out to Kelly (kellylovescupcakes at gmail dot com)
I love cookbooks! Make it out to ‘Laurie’ should I win. 🙂
I would love this cookbook! Make it out to Sara if I win!
Joanne Chang is a great success story and a legendary food-lover in Boston. I’d like to give her book to my nephew should I win. Make it out to William.
how cool! i think i’m going to try and go too 🙂
although it couldn’t hurt to have two copies, as I know my friend Rebecca would love it!!
Cool giveaway! If I win, could you please make it out to Eva?
I’ll have to go there the next time I’m in Boston! I love new cookbooks! Please make it out to Shelley!
Oh wow!! I’d love to win this book! I’d ask for it to be made out to “Amy”. 😀
I’d have it made out to “Kelly” because, ya know, I’m selfish like that 🙂
I purchased an autographed book for my mom for Christmas but I didn’t purchase one for myself…so if I won, please make it out to Michelle (“Fun and Fearless in Beantown”)!
I would love a copy – made out to Teresa. I’ve got to get over there and try out her stuff – I see a field trip with the kids coming up.
Ah, if I won, I’d like it made out to: Nancy, baker since age 8, food lover since birth!
If I win, I’d like it made out to Erica. Thank you!
Wow, I just found your blog through a tweet from Joanne and spent a lot of time drooling over everything here. You’re very talented and inventive (like all engineers 🙂 ). I’d like mine made out to Victoria if I win.
But honestly, finding your recipes was enough of a win for me. Yum.
Love Flour! Use to use them for catering corporate events/lunches when I worked in Charlestown. Also love your blog. I am still new to the blog world, it is nice to follow a local blogger. Thanks! Stephanie
stephalmeda@gmail.com
I love reading bakery cookbooks!. I would like to have it made out to Cassie.
Ahh, how’d i’d LOVE to add this cookbook to my collection 🙂
Made out to Megan, if i’d be so lucky as to win! 🙂
(meggie_sue@woh.rr.com)
I may not live in Boston, but I’m fully aware of the greatness of Flour Bakery. The two times I’ve visited I’ve gone there and never been disappointed, especially by those outstanding sticky buns. What a great contest.
Please make it out to Allyson…
Thanks!
I would love a copy! Please make the book out to Lindsay if I win. benoit.lindsay (AT) gmail.com
What a marvelous book. I guess I will be selfish and if I win to have it made out to Maureen and Randy.
My husband and I both love to bake.
msgb245 at gmail dot com
Would love to win this. Please make it out to Louisa
Would love this! I’m somewhat addicted to Flour, as Flour 3 is 6 minutes from my office. Please make it out to Surekha (srvuppala at gmail dot com)
Such an awesome giveaway Jen! If I won – I’d want it to read – Krystal A Lucky Beantown Baker Reader from SoCal! 😉
I would love this book – living in Boston I can appreciate the legendary Flour baked goods! There is no one I could think of who would appreciate this book more than my best friend.
If I win please make it out to “Katrina – future doctor and chef” 🙂
I just bought the book as a birthday gift for one of my good friends. Now I need one for myself. Joanne can make it out to Daisy! 🙂
I would love to win this! I was just at Flour this weekend and was thinking of buying it, but now I’m going to cross my fingers that I win a signed copy! Please have it signed for Bianca 🙂
What a great giveaway! Even residents of Nashville love Flour Bakery.
Please make it out to Emily. Thank you!
Crystal
Sounds like a great book! If I win, I’ll be selfish and keep the book, so make it out to Chrissy 🙂
Great giveaway! Please make it out to Nina if I win.
Oooooh how exciting! Finally a giveaway open to International readers!! I would love a copy, made out to Vickii 😀 My email address is vickii373@aol.com
If I win I’d love to have it made out to Cupcake Kelly’s
Would love this book since I grew up in Boston but never made it to Flour Bakery since we moved. Please have it signed to Eileen.
Make it out to Sarah if I win.
Thank you for thinking of us! What a lovely contest! Please make my book out to my sister, Theresa
I want this cookbook to be made out to me, Lisa.
I would LOOOVE to win this cookbook!!
It would be made out to Kristan (KRISTAN, not KRISTEN). Or, you could just make it out to “the awesomest mom that ever lived, EVER”.
I mean, whatev. I’m not picky.
Hope I win!!
Kristan
Cookbook Queen
This is awesome!I love to collect cookbooks! If I am the lucky winner I would love for it to be made out to Hannah! Thanks so much for this giveaway!
my e-mail is bakergirl221@hotmail.com
This is so on my christmas wish list right now. The other day I actually had a reporter bring me the Flour brownies to the newsroom after a live shot in Boston. I crave them. If you should pick me please have her make it out to Kimmy of Lighter and Local.
Just ‘To Amy’ I’m simple. 🙂
If I win I’d like it to be made out to Sarah. So exciting!
I’ve been eyeing that book for a while now – would love to win!
make out to: Rachel 🙂
contact me: rachel at bakedbyrachel dot com
Make it out to Kirsty 🙂
Please make it out to Sarah (Cooker Girl) if I win.
I have a slight obsession with cookbooks! You can make it out to Jamie if I win 🙂 You can contact me through my blog. THanks
I went to Flour probably a little too often when i lived in Boston and it is AMAZING. I would LOVE this cookbook!
I’d love to win! If I do, please make it out to Hanne 🙂
If I win, please make it out to Linda.
I’d love a copy! If I win, could you make it out to Dana?
I would love this book. Being from Massachusetts, gotta love all things Boston. It can be made out to “Lennette”.
(*..*)
I would love a copy “To Kathy”
Please Please
I love her and remember her from the Bobby Flay Throw Down Episode.
Looks Awesome! I would love it to be to “Caroline”
I can never have too many cookbooks and this one looks fantastic! Please make it out to Malissa! – spelled with an A 🙂
Would love the book since I am nowhere near Boston to try it in person. Would be made out to “Jenne”. Would be Jenne of Mooshujenne.com – mooshujenne[at]gmail.com.
This would be a wonderful addition to my cookbook library – all my books are cooking and no baking! If I am the lucky winner, please make it out to Lara and Josh.
I would love a copy of this book! Happy Thanksgiving! If I win, have it made out to Jen!
I’m dying to get this book- and you can bet I’ll buy it if I don’t win!
Great giveaway! Please have it signed for Elise (yes, myself) – I just can’t resist!
Oh, I would love this book! Please make it out to Tiffany (melogrammatic@gmail.com)
I would LOVE to win this cookbook! Please make it out to “Heather Lynne” if I win!
I’d love a copy. I just can’t figure out who to make it out to. How about to “a hungry baker”
I would like a copy made out to my sister JEN! She visited Boston, and loved it 🙂
I love Flour and am so glad there has been another location opened up near MIT! I would be stoked to try out any of their recipes. Please make the book out to Sheetal. Thanks 🙂
awesome giveaway! I’m excited!
I’d like it to be made out to moi (Alexis Ellysse) 🙂
I was planning on getting my sister this cookbook for Christmas anyway, so if I could win it, all the better! I’d have it made out to her, Megan. Thanks!
delicious! Joanne Chang is a godsend! would love the book made out to Chop Whisk Stir!
i visited boston for the first time this past September. i’m SO, SO glad that my friend Ev took me to flour! The grilled roast chicken was amazing and the chocolate banana pudding i was craving as soon as i got back to CA..that i tried making it myself… Make it out to “Jen” should I win! 🙂
Awesome! Make it out to “Sherry”!
s.greek23@msn.com
Gtr8t giveaway! Mede out to KIKY , thanks…Kikyflorencia@aol.com
That sounds like an amazing cookbook! Please make out to Kasey. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I was so bummed that I’d be out of town for this! I want! I want! I want! If you stand in line, thinking of your dear friend Katie, please ask Joanne to make it out to “The Small Boston Kitchen” or if she’s running a little low on time, just “The SBK” is fine 🙂 Great giveaway!
drat, I was in Boston 2 weeks ago and wasn’t taken here!
If I win, please make it out to Corinne
Oh man I would love a copy of that book! Please make the book out to Amanda 🙂
i love flour! i live close by and am happy to call myself a “regular.” I would love to give this book to my sister (who’s a baker herself). if i win, please have it made out to “elizabeth.” thanks!
sarah
oh how i miss flour! i used to live but a block away but now i’d have to fly to boston. to get my flour fix. a copy of the cookbook would be amazing!…made out to jenny 🙂
I would love to have a copy for myself, but I say make it out to my sister in-law who happens to be from Boston and is a chef. (Meredith – to a wonderful chef and a great mother!)
i love to try new recipes.. reading in your about how Flour Bakery make good bakes feels like i have tasted them too =;D… being a breast cancer survivor doesn’t mean i can’t have a little taste of any thing new AND i can have my family & friends taste test it too.. should i be lucky, please sign the book to “Marjie”
Maraming salamat! [thank you very much in Filipino]
Don’t count my comment because I already have a signed copy, but I just wanted to say thanks for linking to me… and I can’t wait to see what you make from the book! 🙂 Have fun at the signing! Joanne is really amazing.
Such a fun giveaway! I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed 🙂
If I win I would love it made out to “Brandy”
nutmegnanny (at) hotmail (dot) com
I LOVE cookbooks! Nothings more relaxing than sitting on the sofa after dinner and looking through a cookbook. If I happen to be lucky enough to (it would be the first time ever!) you can make the book out to Cheryl. Thanks!
I am a recipe collector so this caught my eye right away! Make it out to Erica should I win. Great giveaway idea!
I’ve been looking at this cookbook for a few weeks now. I was going to add it to my Christmas list, but if I win it, then I would be really excited! If I win, please have the book signed to Heather. 🙂
Awesome giveaway, this book is on my list! To “Kerstin” please 🙂
This is such a great giveaway! If I win, I would like my copy made out to me – Taylor!
To Shikha Kaiwar, please!
Looks like a great cookbook and I’d love to win it! I was excited to see this giveaway is for international readers since I live overseas!
Please make it out to Courtney.
i’d love a copy of this too made out to Olivia.
secretlylovespink@gmail.com
Great giveaway!!
I’d want it made out to me! (Lindsay)
ljyoung85 at gmail.com
I would love a copy! The Flour Bakery is famous the world over Please have it signed to “Barbara – a lover of life and great food!”
Thanks for the chance and greetings from Italy!!
ricettebarbare at gmail dot com
I would live a copy of the cookbook. If I win, please make it out to Jen. jlandsb3@gmail.com
Oh, that’s so exciting! I miss the Flour Bakery so much since moving to Jersey (going to be back up there this weekend)! If I win, please make the book out to Ashley – thanks so much! =)
I’ve somehow missed every signing in Boston and am kicking myself for it! I’d love one made out to me, Kate!
Is this a worldwide giveaway?Oh I did love to win this book.Please make the book on to “Nimi”
nimisrecipes@gmail.com
I can’t say enough great things about this book. There are so many great recipes and Joanne explains things beautifully.
In fact, I just made the brioche and it came out great!
If I’m fortunate to win a copy, then it would make my year complete. If I am the lucky book winner, please make it out to Sandy and add the date it was signed. email: sjttrmfb@gmail.com
I’ve never been to Flour, now I feel deprived! Please have my copy made out to Cara 🙂
I would love to win the cookbook. If I win, please make it out to Tiffany.
All the buzz about Flour is amazing! I cannot wait to get a hold of this cookbook, even though we all know my baking skills are limited! My winning copy can be made out to “Renee of Eat.Live.Blog” 🙂
I knew about flour bakery while watching throwdown and ever since then I want to go to Boston to visit it
pls have it dedicated to “sweet tooth Nicole”
can’t wait to get a copy of this I cannot find it here in Manila, Philippines
Yay! So exciting! Please make it out to ‘Rosa’
email: rosahu22@gmail.com
So excited that Flour is sharing their recipes! If i should win, please make it out to Lara.
Wow – what an awesome giveaway! MUST visit Flour the next time I’m in Boston! Made out to Becky if I win – thanks! : )
I’ve had my eye on this cookbook, I hope I win! Made out to Sheri.
What a great (and popular!) giveaway. Would be great to have it made out to “Emily”!
cool giveaway! this is the book of the year to me 🙂 make it to ‘Eliza’ if I should win
I saw you were having a book giveaway yesterday, and thought “Aw dang, I may as well forget about that! I’m in Canada, and no one likes us enough to ship here.” But I’m glad I came back and read the rules! International is in! Woohoo! I had searched for this book about a month or so ago, and it wasn’t on Amazon.ca, so I’d be pleased to win it!
It would be made out to me, if I won 🙂 I’m not giving that baby away lol! (Jenni)
That would be awesome! Please have it made out to Andrea!
I’d love to give this to my wife. She loves their raspberry crumb bars and sticky buns! Please have Joanne sign it for “Judy”.
I looooove cookbooks, and just moved out on my own so I only have a few. If I win please make it out to “Jessie”!
Thanks!
Email-jessiedavidson@ymail.com
I would love a cookbook made out to Rebecca and Michael!
I love Flour! Please make the book out to Lucia
My dad would love this cookbook. If I win, please make it out to Tom.
nire342@yahoo.com
ooohhh, I miss Flour Bakery so much. Their macaroons were to die for. Wish they would open in Philly! Please make my book out to “sarah- the Southie girl forever”
savannah.sooter@gmail.com
Sign to Savannah!
Yaaay for give-aways!
I would Love to become a become a better baker. Please make it out to Janine
Please make it out to Janelle Treats!
What a Fabulous gift this would be! If I won I would thrilled just the same to be one of your lucky readers!
‘stilletomaven@gmail.com’
I just checked out their website and mmm delish! I’d love to have the book made out to Katelyn (me!) should I win 🙂
I would also love the book! made out to “Jess”
If you pick me, could you make it out to:
“Throw a Little Flour On It”
I’m serious =)
Thanks
LOVE LOVE LOVE Flour! I moved to Baltimore now and I miss it so. I think the cookbook would go quite nicely with my recently acquired (and autographed) Throwdown cookbook. Please make it out to Rachel.
Thanks for the book offer. Make it out to Gale.
what a delicious blog! here is so many uncanny inspirations!
have a nice time,
Paula
I would love an autographed copy! It would be the “icing on my cake” as I just returned from Boston after rowing in The Head of the Charles! After our row we headed to the Cambridge outpost of Flour and celebrated by having sticky buns and “pop tarts”! Please make the book out to Debbie. Thanks!
I would love this cookbook! To Cheryl
I would love to add this to my collection! It can be made out to Kirsten 🙂
Flour makes me swoon. Their banana bread and mexican hot chocolate…dear lord. Please have it signed Libby 🙂
Yay!
Make it out to me – Desiree Vick!
I hope I win!!
vickdn@live.com
did i just leave a comment last time? =;D awww, i just wanted to make sure hehe.. i definitely would love to have the book.. can’t wait to receive the mail.. =;D
don’t forget to sign it to: Marjie, life is sweet, don’t let cancer beat you!
=;D ^____^
I would love this. make it out to Shoshana, if I win.
please make it out to Sandi – my daughter, she would love it
This sounds like a fantastic baking book – I realised recently that I really need some more in the line of baking recipes.
Please have it signed to “Monique – an avid blog follower and keen cook!”
I love cookbooks!
anna_k67(AT)yahoo.com