Creating Wedding Bells With Fondant: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fondant is a thick, sweet, edible dough that is commonly used to cover and decorate cakes. It is made from sugar, sugar water, corn syrup, and sometimes gelatin or cornstarch. Fondant can be used to create intricate and elaborate shapes and designs, such as wedding bells, and is often used for wedding cakes due to its ability to withstand warmer temperatures. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make fondant wedding bells, from the ingredients and tools you will need to the process of assembling and decorating your creation.

Choosing the right ingredients

Fondant Type:

Fondant comes in two main varieties: ready-to-use fondant and poured fondant. Ready-to-use fondant is the most commonly used and is ideal for covering cakes and making decorations. It has a thick, clay-like texture and needs to be rolled out before being draped over a cake. Poured fondant, on the other hand, has a higher liquid content and is typically used for covering petit fours and other traditional desserts, giving them a shiny finish.

Flavor and Color:

Most fondant has a sweet, vanilla flavor, but it can also be found in other flavors or left flavorless. If you want to add your own flavoring, start with unflavored fondant and add your desired flavoring extract. Fondant is also available in various colors, or you can choose to color it yourself using gel icing colors or food coloring. If you plan to color your fondant, ensure you select a brand that can be easily colored, as some pre-made colors, like red or black, can be challenging to achieve with food coloring.

Ingredients:

Fondant is typically made from sugar, sugar water, corn syrup, and sometimes gelatin or cornstarch. When making your own fondant, you will need a few additional ingredients. A simple fondant recipe includes mini marshmallows, powdered sugar, water, and shortening. The marshmallows provide the base, and the powdered sugar is added to create the desired consistency. The water helps melt the marshmallows, and the shortening ensures the fondant doesn't stick to your hands or surfaces during the kneading process. Be sure to use pure white shortening to avoid any discoloration.

Tools:

In addition to the ingredients, you will need some tools to help you create the perfect fondant. A fondant rolling pin with guide rings will assist in achieving the desired thickness for your project. A fondant flower cutter set or a succulent cut-out set can be useful if you plan to make flowers or succulents. Fondant and gum paste tools can add texture to your creations, and an adjustable long rolling pin will be beneficial for larger projects like wedding cakes.

By carefully selecting the right type of fondant, choosing your preferred flavor and color, gathering the necessary ingredients, and equipping yourself with the proper tools, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful and delicious fondant wedding bells.

Preparing your work surface

Firstly, choose a suitable work surface. Fondant works best on a hard, flat, and smooth surface. Stainless steel is ideal, but other options include a fondant mat, a self-healing mat, or a Silpat mat. Ensure your work surface is clean and free of any lint, dust, or crumbs. You can use a small fondant ball to rub your workspace and remove any unwanted particles. Remember to discard this fondant ball as it will be dirty.

Once your work surface is clean, it's time to prepare it for the fondant. Dust your work area with a thin layer of confectioners' sugar or cornstarch. This step is crucial as it prevents the fondant from sticking to the counter or work surface. You can use a fine-mesh sieve to lightly and evenly distribute the dusting sugar. Be sure to cover the entire area where you will be rolling out the fondant.

If you are using a fondant mat, you may also want to dust the mat itself with a small amount of shortening. This will help the fondant release from the mat easily when you are ready to lift and shape it. Make sure to use pure white shortening to avoid any discolouration of the fondant.

Now that your work surface is prepared, you can begin rolling out your fondant. Use a fondant rolling pin, preferably one with thickness guide rings, to achieve an even and consistent thickness. If you are creating intricate shapes or details, a thinner fondant may be required. However, for covering cakes or larger surfaces, a thicker fondant is needed to avoid tearing or breakage.

Remember to work in a cool, dry environment as the temperature and humidity can affect the performance and texture of the fondant. Keeping your work area well-ventilated can also help prevent the fondant from becoming too sticky.

By following these steps, your work surface will be ready for creating fondant wedding bells or any other fondant decorations you desire.

Melting the marshmallows

To make fondant, you'll need to start by melting your marshmallows. This is best done in a glass bowl in the microwave. Take a 16-ounce bag of fresh, white mini marshmallows and put them in the bowl with 4 tablespoons of water and 1 teaspoon of shortening. It's important to use fresh marshmallows for this recipe, as stale or sticky marshmallows will affect the consistency of your fondant.

Microwave the mixture for 20 seconds, then stir. Repeat this process four more times. You'll know the marshmallows are ready when they are fully melted and smooth. If there are still a few lumps, don't worry—these will smooth out when you add the other ingredients.

Once melted, pour the mixture into a mixer and use the dough attachment to combine. You'll know the fondant is ready when it has a matte appearance and a thick, stiff consistency, similar to playdough. At this point, you can add in your food colouring if you wish.

If the fondant becomes too stiff to mix, remove it from the mixer and knead it on the counter, adding more powdered sugar if needed. You'll want to keep your hands and surfaces lightly covered in shortening to prevent sticking.

Mixing the fondant

To make fondant wedding bells, you'll first need to prepare your fondant mixture. Fondant is a soft, thick icing used to coat and decorate cakes, and it's pliable, with a texture and consistency similar to playdough.

Ingredients:

• Mini marshmallows (white)
• Powdered sugar
• Water
• Shortening

Tools:

• Glass bowl
• Microwave
• Mixer with a dough hook attachment
• Rolling pin
• Fondant cutter or knife
• Flat spatula or fondant smoothing tool

Step 1: Melting the Marshmallows:

Start by placing the mini marshmallows, water, and shortening in a glass microwavable bowl. Use only white marshmallows, as coloured or flavoured ones can alter the fondant's colour and taste. Ensure the marshmallows are fresh, as stale or sticky ones will affect the fondant's texture.

Microwave this mixture in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval. Repeat this process about four to five times until the marshmallows are melted and smooth.

Step 2: Mixing the Fondant:

Pour the melted marshmallow mixture into your mixer. Using the dough hook attachment, mix the fondant well. As you mix, gradually add in the powdered sugar, a cup at a time. Keep mixing until the shine disappears, and the fondant has a matte, playdough-like consistency. You may not need to use all the sugar; add it gradually until you achieve the right thickness.

Step 3: Kneading and Colouring:

Once the fondant becomes too stiff to mix, remove it from the mixer. At this point, you can knead the fondant on a surface lightly covered with shortening. Be sure to use pure white shortening to avoid discolouration. You can also add food colouring to the fondant at this stage if you want a specific colour for your wedding bells.

Step 4: Rolling and Shaping:

Use a rolling pin to roll out the fondant. Most rolling pins have thickness rings to help you achieve an even finish. Roll the fondant into a large, thin sheet, ensuring it's not sticky to the touch.

Step 5: Covering and Decorating:

Now, you're ready to use the fondant to cover and decorate your wedding bells. Gently lift the rolled-out fondant and lay it over your frosted cake or modelling chocolate base. Smooth it out, cut off any excess, and shape it as needed.

Fondant is a versatile medium, perfect for creating elegant wedding decorations like bells. Its pliable nature makes it easy to work with, and you can add colour and texture to suit your creative vision.

Shaping the fondant

Shaping fondant is a fun and creative way to bring your cakes to life. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to shaping fondant for wedding bells:

Prepare your work surface and tools:

Before you begin, ensure your work surface is clean and free of any crumbs or dirt. Fondant can be sticky, so it's essential to dust your work area and rolling pin with confectioners' sugar or cornstarch. Use a fondant mat or a self-healing mat to create a non-stick surface. You can also use a basic Silpat mat.

Roll out the fondant:

When covering a cake with fondant, aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Use an adjustable long rolling pin or a regular rolling pin, depending on the size of your cake. Most long rolling pins have thickness rings to help you achieve a smooth and even finish.

Cut and shape the fondant:

Using a bell-shaped cookie cutter or a sharp knife, cut out the fondant to create the wedding bell shape. If using a knife, carefully shape the fondant to resemble a bell, including the clapper inside the bell and any decorative details you desire.

Add texture and details:

Use fondant tools or veining tools to create texture and add intricate details to your wedding bells. You can also use edible food colouring to create different shades and effects on your fondant.

Allow the fondant to dry:

Fondant decorations need time to dry completely before placing them on a cake. Let them air dry at room temperature for at least 24 hours or up to 36 hours, depending on their thickness. You can speed up the drying process by placing them in front of a fan set on low to medium speed.

Attach the fondant wedding bells to the cake:

Once your fondant wedding bells are dry, you can attach them to your cake using a small amount of buttercream frosting. Ensure the cake is already frosted with a layer of buttercream to help the fondant adhere better.

Storage and preservation:

Fondant decorations can be made in advance and stored properly. Before storing, ensure they are completely dry. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature and away from direct sunlight, as light can cause the colour to fade.

Fondant wedding bells are a beautiful and elegant addition to any wedding cake. By following these steps, you can create intricate and detailed shapes that will impress your guests and make your cake truly special.

Frequently asked questions