How to Keep Fondant From Drying Out: 5 Easy Steps

Last Updated on February 17, 2023

Do you have problems with fondant cracking? Or struggle to keep it fresh? If so, you will want to know how to keep fondant from drying out.

Keeping your fondant fresh, soft, and flexible will make it much easier to work with. Fondant is prone to drying out easily and when that happens, it becomes difficult to work with. Dry fondant can lead to a tough exterior on your cake, as well as cracking.

Fondant can be a beautiful addition to cakes, giving them a smooth, elegant look. Though it can be tricky to work with, once you get the hang of it you can let your imagination run wild. The key to good fondant is keeping it from drying out while you are working with it.

What You Will Need to Follow this Tutorial: How to Keep Fondant From Drying Out

To keep your fondant from drying out, you will need:

• Vegetable shortening
• Plastic wrap
• Airtight container

Fondant Tools, 25 Pcs

Step by Step Directions On How To Store Fondant Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Fondant

Prepare your fondant for how you would like it to be stored. You can store it rolled out, cut it into shapes, or rolled in a ball or log.

Step 2: Prepare the Plastic Wrap

To prevent the fondant from drying or cracking, cover your plastic wrap with vegetable shortening. Spread a thin layer of the vegetable shortening across the entirety of one side of the plastic wrap or apply directly to the fondant. The shortening will keep it fresh and soft.

Place your fondant pieces onto your prepared plastic wrap. Make sure it is tightly covered, with no pieces of fondant exposed. Fondant that is exposed to air will dry out quickly.

Step 3: Storing Wrapped Fondant Cake in Air Tight Container

Once your fondant is securely covered in the plastic wrap, place it in an airtight container. Leave the container at room temperature for up to three months, there is no need to place it in the fridge or freezer. Place the container in a cool, dark area that will not receive any direct sunlight.

Step 4: Applying Fondant to Cake

Once ready to use, roll out your ball or log of fondant. If your fondant is a bit hard, you can add 1/8 teaspoon of water for every 24 ounces or a small amount of vegetable shortening. Be sure not to add too much water, as it can become too elastic and lose flavor.

If your fondant is a bit too soft, add confectioners’ sugar or Gum-Tex powder to improve the consistency. Knead until it is thoroughly mixed. You should frost your cake with a layer of buttercream before applying the fondant to help keep it in place.

Carefully add your rolled-out fondant to your cake.  Use a fondant smoother to smooth it out and gently pull and press the fondant on the sides to remove any creases. Add buttercream or fondant designs to your covered cake.

Step 5: Storing Decorated Cake

Once your cake is decorated, store it covered at room temperature for up to three days. If it is hot and humid, store the cake in the fridge for up to a week. Cakes can also be covered in plastic wrap and put in the freezer for up to a year.

For individual cake slices, wrap them in plastic wrap to keep the fondant from drying out. Place the slice in the fridge or freezer. Allow refrigerated or frozen cakes to reach room temperature before serving.

Find out more helpful tips here:

• How To Tell If A Cake Is Done?
• How Much Batter To Use For Cake Pans?

Tips and Tricks

Fondants can easily become dry when you are working with them. To keep it soft and supple while working, apply vegetable shortening to your hands. This will keep it easy to work with as you knead, roll, and shape it.

It is also beneficial to dust your workstation with powdered sugar, vegetable shortening, or cornstarch to keep it from sticking. Since fondant is prone to picking up dirt and debris, make sure your work surface is clean and avoid wearing clothes that produce a lot of lint.

The longer fondant is left out in the open the quicker it will become dry, so cover it when you are not working with it. If you notice cracks beginning to form, use vegetable shortening to fill them in.

Can Fondant Be Frozen?

You can freeze fondant, however, you must take the proper steps to ensure that it is done properly. If not done properly, you risk your fondant drying out, cracking, or losing its shape. 

Fondant can be frozen in logs, rolled out, or in shapes. In addition, you can also freeze cakes covered with fondant as well. 

To freeze fondant, either form it into a log or roll it out into a sheet about 1/4 inch thick. Then, carefully wrap your fondant in two to three layers of plastic wrap. You can also place it in a Ziploc bag to help prevent freezer burn.

It is important to make sure your fondant is fully covered. If any parts of the fondant are exposed, you run the risk of the fondant drying out or cracking. 

For fondant decorations, carefully wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in an airtight container in the freezer. Placing them in an airtight container will help prevent them from getting squished in the freezer.

For a fondant-covered cake, carefully wrap the cake in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. If desired, you can also place the cake in a cake box to help prevent it from getting squished in the fridge.

Fondant and fondant cakes can last in the freezer for around six months. When ready to use, allow your fondant to thaw for about four hours or overnight in the fridge. Then, let it reach room temperature before using.

For fondant cakes, let them thaw overnight in the fridge. Then allow them to reach room temperature before serving. 

How to Preserve Fondant Figures

Fondant figures make a beautiful addition to any cake. They are a great way to make personalized cakes and show off your baking skills. 

To keep your fondant figures fresh for a long time, apply a thin layer of shortening to your figures then wrap them in two to three layers of plastic wrap. Then, place them in an airtight container and store them in a cool dry location for up to a month or two. Alternatively, you can also freeze your fondant figures for up to six months.

Adding a thin layer of shortening to your fondant figures helps them from drying out or cracking as the shortening locks in moisture. When ready to use, carefully unwrap your fondant figures before placing them on your cake.

If you want to save your fondant figures after using them to decorate your cake you can spray them with a layer of clear lacquer spray. This will preserve them so you can display them in display cabinets or store them in boxes. It is important to note that once you add the lacquer spray they are no longer safe to eat or use on cakes as decorations. 

Premade Fondant Flowers

Fondant flowers can add a beautiful touch to any cake. They look elegant and will typically hold up better than trying to make flowers out of buttercream.

However, fondant flowers can be time-consuming to make. Fortunately, they can be made ahead of time before adding them to your cake. Start by making your fondant flowers, add a thin layer of shortening, and carefully wrap them with plastic wrap before placing them in an airtight container. 

You can keep your premade fondant flowers at room temperature for one to two months. Alternatively, you can store them in the freezer for up to six months if needed.

Conclusion: How to Keep Fondant From Drying Out

Fondant can be a great choice for decorating your cakes. Once you get the hang of working with it, you can create elegant designs and patterns. However, fondant is prone to drying out, so be sure to take precautions when storing it.

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