How To Make Icing Smooth Like Fondant

Last Updated on October 19, 2021

Want a smooth finish on your cake? Looking to avoid using fondant? If so, you will want to know how to make the icing smooth like fondant.

Though fondant gives cakes a beautiful, smooth appearance, not everyone is a fan of how it tastes. In addition, it can be tricky to work with. Fortunately, you can still get a smooth finish on your cake with icing.

With the right tools and knowledge, you can masterfully decorate your cake to have a smooth finish without the use of fondant. Icing can be a wonderful and tasty way to give your cakes a lovely design. Getting that smooth finish is easier than you think when following this method.

This tutorial will work for filled, layered, round, or rectangular cakes. You can use any type of frosting, though American buttercream is the best option.

What You Will Need to Make Icing Smooth Like Fondant

Equipment

• Icing of your choice
• Cake, fully cooled
• Turntable cake stand
• Smooth paper towels or parchment paper
• Icing smoother
• Fondant smoother
• Offset spatula
• Piping bag and nozzle (optional)

150 Pcs Cake Decorating Supplies Kit for Beginners

Step by Step Instructions

Step One: Add a Crumb Coat to Your Cake

Using your offset spatula, spread a thin layer of frosting on the sides and top of your cake to create a crumb coat. Once applied, allow the cake to chill in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. The crumb coat works as a base for when you are decorating your cake.

Step Two: Frost Your Cake

After the crumb coat is set, use an offset spatula to frost your cake while it is on the turntable. Fully cover the top and sides with icing. Don’t worry if it is not totally smooth yet, as the next steps will fix that.

Step Three: Use an Icing Smoother to Smooth Cake

Use an icing smoother to further smooth the icing on the cake. This will help fill in any air pockets that may have formed. Make sure that the cake is fully covered in frosting and that there are no gaps.

Step Four: Use a Smooth Paper Towel and Fondant Smoother

Place a smooth paper towel on top of the cake and use a fondant smoother to smooth out the frosting. Repeat the process on the sides of the cake. This will help get rid of any bumps and inconsistencies in texture, giving the cake a smooth finish like fondant.

If you don’t have a smooth paper towel, you can also use wax paper. However, a smooth paper towel, like the Viva brand, will work best for this hack.

Step Five: Pipe Designs

Once your cake has a smooth finish, it has a wonderful base for adding designs. You can use a piping bag and a nozzle of your choice to create intricate designs. If desired, you can leave the cake plain or add sprinkles.

Tips and Tricks to Make Icing Smooth

To give your cake a flat surface, you can use a serrated knife to trim off the top. This gives the cake a polished and professional look. When making a cake with layers, every layer should be trimmed to create a balanced appearance.

Once your cake is decorated, you can serve it right away or store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Your cake can last 2-4 days in the fridge, with any leftovers being kept refrigerated as well.

When decorating your cake, your frosting should be at room temperature. This will make it much easier to work with, as the texture is easier to spread. If it starts to melt while you are working with it, place it in the fridge for 5-10 minutes.

It is best to use a crusting buttercream, such as an American buttercream recipe when following this tutorial. Some other types of frostings may slightly stick to the paper towel, so it’s best to use American buttercream.

Find more delicious recipes by clicking here:

• Traditional Ina Garten Birthday cake with Vanilla Buttercream
• Delicious Vanilla Cake from Scratch with Pudding Mix

How to Ice a Cake Smoothly without Fondant

You don’t have to worry about trying to use fondant to give your cake a smooth appearance. By following this tutorial, you can use buttercream to create an elegant, polished finish. Not only will this look great, but using just buttercream will taste amazing.

Though it may take some practice to get right, once you get the hang of this hack your cakes will look like they came straight from the bakery. This method is wonderful for decorating cakes for any event, as it gives you a smooth surface to add any decorations or writing you want.

Do you have any questions on how to make the icing smooth like fondant? If so, please ask them in the comments down below and share this article if you enjoyed it.

Read more about How To Make A Lego Cake Without Fondant