Last Updated on December 5, 2022
Covering cakes with fondant is one of the best ways of decorating them. Not only does it look smooth and amazing, but it also tastes delicious! But if you have ever tried to do it yourself, you may get to observe that it is not as simple as it seems. It is because we do not have the best buttercream frosting under the fondant recipe.
Jump to RecipeThe Crumb Coat: Frosting Under Fondant
We have another article explaining in detail why you need a crumb coat and the best recipe for the buttercream meringue frosting that Krazy Kool Cakes and Designs use. They describe how a soft meringue buttercream is the best option when it comes to this step. So to achieve this, they do not use only butter, but a mixture of butter and shortening.
Frosting Under Fondant: Ingredients List
This recipe will make a full batch of icing, but you can easily make half of it. You can also use this recipe for the filling.
- 1 cup of high-fat ratio shortening (NOT veg. shortening)
- 1 cup of butter
- 2 tbsp of meringue powder
- 2 tsp of clear vanilla extract
- 8 cups of sifted confectioners sugar
- 9 tbsp of milk (regular or 2% work great)
How To Make Frosting Under Fondant
Step 1
Mix the wet ingredients first with the mixer.
Step 2
Afterward, add sugar and meringue powder.
Step 3
Keep mixing until you reach your desired texture. It’s that simple! However, always remember that the softness of the mixture depends on weather conditions like heat and humidity.
Also, depending on the type of cake you are coating, you can either subtract or add more milk, or adjust the thickness of the mixture. Adding more liquid will make the cream softer, but, be careful not to make it too watery!
Best Buttercream Frosting for Under Fondant
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup of high fat ratio shortening NOT veg. shortening
- 1 cup of butter
- 2 tbsp of meringue powder
- 2 tsp of clear vanilla extract
- 8 cups of sifted confectioners sugar
- 9 tbsp of milk regular or 2% work great
Instructions
- Mix the wet ingredients first with the mixer.
- Afterwards, add sugar and meringue powder.
- Keep mixing until you reach your desired texture. It’s that simple! However, always remember that the softness of the mixture depends on weather conditions like heat and humidity.
- Also, depending on the type of cake you are coating, you can either subtract or add more milk, or adjust the thickness in the mixture. Adding more liquid will make the cream softer, but, be careful not to make it too watery!
What Kind of Frosting Goes Under Fondant?
There’s always been a debate about which frosting works best under fondant. The majority of bakers and decorators all agree that the best frosting to work with is either chocolate ganache or buttercream. My personal favorite is Swiss buttercream. I find that fondant goes onto Swiss buttercream well.
Can you use whipped cream frosting under fondant?
In theory, this could work, but it’s not something we recommend. This is because whipped cream needs to be kept in the refrigerator, so when it’s removed from the fridge, you may run into some problems. As soon as you remove the finished cake from the fridge, the cream will begin to leak moisture and will likely damage both the cake and the fondant.
For this reason, we’d stick to buttercream frosting or ganache when it comes to working under fondant.
Can you use store-bought frosting under fondant?
When it comes to store-bought frosting, it’s the most convenient. However, will it work under fondant? If you’re using store-bought frosting, it’s best to leave it in the fridge for a few hours beforehand so it has a chance to harden before use.
Once ready to use, roll the frosting thin and ensure the cake is also chilled. Then you should be able to cover your cake with the frosting fairly smoothly. However, for best results, I would use homemade frosting.
Can I use Russian buttercream under fondant?
You may not have heard of Russian buttercream, but it’s absolutely delicious. While mainly used for Russian cakes, you can use it with any type of cake. The only two ingredients in this type of buttercream are butter and sweetened condensed milk. The only thing you need to make sure of is that the cake is chilled in the refrigerator before you begin applying the fondant.
Can you put chocolate buttercream under white fondant?
Absolutely! While it may feel daunting working with white fondant with a chocolate buttercream base, it doesn’t have to be! There are a few aspects you may want to bear in mind when working with chocolate buttercream under white fondant. You should always make sure you’re “working clean” and that there’s no chocolate buttercream on your hands while covering the cake with the fondant.
Also, be sure to make sure your white fondant is not rolled too thin. If it is, you may be able to see the chocolate buttercream through the fondant.
How Thick Should Buttercream Be Under Fondant?
The general rule of thickness for buttercream under fondant is around 1/4 inch thick. This is the very least it should be. This layer helps the fondant stick to the cake easier and also helps to keep the surface of the cake smooth and bump-free!
How Many Layers of Buttercream Before Fondant?
Typically, you only need one layer of buttercream underneath your fondant. It should be around 1/4 inch thick and be as smooth as can possibly be before you add the fondant. This layer of buttercream in cake making is called a crumb coat. Not only does it help the fondant to stick, but it also keeps it clean and smooth too.
Extra Tips For How To Stick Fondant To Buttercream
The real trick lies in aligning the fondant to the icing. And to do this, you will need to leave the crumb coat to set, while you roll out your fondant. Once it is ready to go, then the magic will take place.
You need to cover your crumb coat with water for the fondant to stick. But the question is, how can you do this without ruining the perfect look you have achieved? Many people use regular spritzer bottles, but Krazy Kool Cakes and Designs has some great advice.
Even though it may sound like the most logical of solutions, spray bottles do not actually diffuse enough mist. This means that it will leave some areas of your cake without any moisture, and some with blobs of water.
Nevertheless, pressing down on the pump will give out a very irregular spray. This will lead to air bubbles between your fondant and your icing.
The solution for this is to use a Flairosol Water Spray Bottle. The aerosol gives out a fine mist of which, you’ll only need one coat all over the cake to evenly distribute the moisture. Equal moisture means equal fondant.
However, remember to always spritz your cakes right before you proceed to put the fondant over them. This way, the water will not dry out and will remain fresh.
Of course, you do not need to do this, if you just make cakes once in a while. But if you are an amateur cake decorator, you might want to get this gadget to solve this annoying problem. Have you tried it? If so, tell us in the comment section below!
FAQ’s
Will fondant decorations melt on buttercream?
Yes, because the buttercream’s moisture can soften toppers made with fondant. That is why it is best to wait till the buttercream crusted over entirely.
How long should buttercream be set before fondant?
The buttercream should be set for about two hours. After that, let it sit on the table or kitchen counter. With that, you can roll out your fondant while you are waiting. As a result, little bits of condensation will develop to help the fondant stick to the buttercream.
Should you chill a cake before putting fondant on it?
Yes, because sugar melts easily, especially in hot, humid weather. That is why it is best to chill the cake before you cover it with fondant. Doing this results in an excellent firm cake. However, please do not put it back in the fridge once you cover the cake with fondant.
Furthermore, you want the cake’s internal temperature to settle, so please leave it in a cool place. For this reason, the fondant will dry.
In addition to that, you should have a dry surface to work with again. Because of this, you need to move away from the cake for several hours between covering and decorating the cake with fondant.
How do you stop buttercream from bleeding?
The best way to stop it is by leaving the buttercream on the crust. It will prevent the buttercream from bleeding. Likewise, it typically occurs on fondant due to improper storage.
In addition to that, condensation may develop on a fondant cake in an air-tight container stored at room temperature.
Why does my fondant keep ripping?
The primary reason for this is due to too much-powdered sugar. That is why it results in a dry fondant that keeps ripping.
In addition to that, fondant rolled too thick and too thin can lead to ripping. With that, if the fondant is irreparable, you should remove it and utilize a new piece. Likewise, there are usually bits of cake and icing in it, so reusing it can lead to bigger fondant problems. For this reason, avoid reusing it.
On the other hand, you can smooth out cracks with icing. Likewise, you can fix tears by filling them in with a new piece of fondant. Remember never to wet your fingers with water because it will tear them further.
Moreover, you can place a design element over the fondant mistake. Hence, a cover-up is the most effective solution.
What do I do if my fondant is too sticky?
As a solution, you can try kneading it. Likewise, adding icing or confectioner’s sugar into the fondant. Keep in mind to use a teaspoonful of sugar at a time.
Although, if you accidentally added too much icing or confectioner’s sugar. The best approach to do is to try warming it before you knead the fondant again.
With that, it is indeed best to work in a dry and cool environment since it will make your fondant easier to work with. For this reason, invest in an air conditioner and dehumidifier.
Karen is a passionate pastry chef who loves to create delicious baked goods. She has been in the culinary arts for over 10 years, honing her skills and perfecting her craft. Karen is known for her creativity and attention to detail, creating unique desserts that bring a smile to everyone’s face. She is always looking for ways to challenge herself and come up with new recipes that are both tasty and visually appealing. Karen loves to experiment with different flavors and textures, and she is committed to providing the highest quality of products to her customers.