Fondant Wedding Cake: Is Marshmallow Fondant A Good Choice?

Fondant is a type of icing used to decorate cakes, and marshmallow fondant is a popular, easy-to-make, and inexpensive alternative to traditional fondant. It is made using only a few simple ingredients: marshmallows, water, powdered sugar, and shortening. Some recipes also include flavour extracts and food colouring.

Marshmallow fondant is a good option for wedding cakes as it is smooth, pliable, and easy to work with, especially for beginners. It tastes better than traditional fondant and is also more affordable, costing only around $2 per batch. It can be used to cover cakes and create decorations such as flowers and characters.

Marshmallow fondant is easy to make

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces of mini marshmallows (about 8 1/2 cups)
• 2-5 tablespoons of water
• 8 cups of powdered sugar (also known as confectioner's sugar or icing sugar)
• 1/3 cup of vegetable shortening (or flavourless oil)

Instructions:

• Place the marshmallows and water in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30-second intervals until melted and smooth. This can also be done on a stovetop in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Grease your hands with shortening and mix in about half of the powdered sugar with the melted marshmallow mixture.
• Grease your hands and countertop generously with shortening. Turn the marshmallow mixture onto the counter and start kneading it like dough.
• Add more powdered sugar as needed and re-grease your hands and the countertop as necessary until the dough is smooth and soft.
• (Optional) Add colour to your fondant by kneading in a small amount of food colouring. Wear plastic gloves to avoid staining your hands.
• Roll out the fondant thinly (about 1/8 inch thick) for covering cakes or creating decorations.

Storage:

To store the fondant, coat it with a thin layer of shortening, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and place it in an airtight bag with the air squeezed out. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

It's also inexpensive

Marshmallow fondant is a great option for wedding cakes as it is inexpensive, easy to make, and tastes good. It is a simple recipe with just three to five ingredients: marshmallows, water, powdered sugar, flavourless oil, and optionally, a flavoured extract of your choice.

The cost savings of marshmallow fondant are significant when compared to store-bought fondant. One source notes that their local baking supply store sells fondant for $8 a pound, whereas their marshmallow fondant recipe makes 3 pounds for less than $5. Another source calculates that their marshmallow fondant recipe costs about $2 per batch (about 3 lbs of fondant), whereas store-bought fondant can be pretty expensive.

In addition to the cost savings, marshmallow fondant is also a good option for wedding cakes as it is easy to make and work with. It is a quick process, taking about 10 to 20 minutes to make a batch of fondant. The recipe is simple and only requires melting marshmallows, adding water, and mixing in powdered sugar. You can also add colour to your fondant by kneading in food colouring.

For these reasons, marshmallow fondant is a great choice for wedding cakes, as it is inexpensive, easy to make, and tastes good.

It tastes better than store-bought fondant

Marshmallow fondant is a great option for wedding cakes, especially if you are looking for something that tastes better than store-bought fondant. Here are some reasons why marshmallow fondant might be a better choice:

Taste

Marshmallow fondant has a smoother and more pliable texture than store-bought fondant, making it easier to work with and giving your cake a more elegant finish. It also tastes great and is less chewy, so your guests are more likely to enjoy eating it.

Cost-Effective

It is also a more cost-effective option. Store-bought fondant can be quite expensive, but marshmallow fondant can be made at home with just a few simple and inexpensive ingredients, such as marshmallows, water, powdered sugar, and vegetable shortening. This can save you a significant amount of money, especially if you are making a large wedding cake.

Easy to Make

In addition to being affordable, marshmallow fondant is also easy and quick to make. It usually takes around 10 to 20 minutes to prepare, and you don't need any special equipment. This makes it a great option if you are short on time or don't have much experience making fondant.

Customizable

Marshmallow fondant can be easily customized to your desired colour. You can add food colouring to the fondant while mixing or kneading, allowing you to create a unique and personalised look for your wedding cake.

Storage

Marshmallow fondant also has a decent shelf life. When stored properly, it can last for up to a month at room temperature or up to two months in the refrigerator. This gives you some flexibility in terms of when you can make it ahead of your wedding.

Tips for Success

However, it's important to note that marshmallow fondant can be sensitive to hot and humid climates, so it may not be the best choice if your wedding is taking place in a warm or humid location. Additionally, when making marshmallow fondant, be sure not to add too much powdered sugar at once, as this can make the fondant dry and crumbly.

In conclusion, marshmallow fondant is a great option for wedding cakes, especially if you're looking for something that tastes better than store-bought fondant. It's cost-effective, easy to make, and customizable, allowing you to create a beautiful and delicious wedding cake that your guests will enjoy.

It's great for decorating cakes

Marshmallow fondant is a great choice for decorating cakes, especially wedding cakes. It is easy to make, inexpensive, and tastes delicious. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a smooth and pliable fondant that is perfect for covering cakes and creating decorations.

One of the biggest advantages of marshmallow fondant is its ease of use. It only takes about 10 minutes to make a batch of fondant, and it can be coloured and flavoured as desired. The fondant is also easy to work with when decorating cakes. It can be rolled out thinly and draped over cakes, creating a smooth and elegant finish. Additionally, marshmallow fondant is more affordable than store-bought fondant, costing only about $2 per batch. This makes it a cost-effective option for decorating wedding cakes, which often require large quantities of fondant.

Another benefit of marshmallow fondant is its versatility. It can be used for a variety of cake decorating techniques, such as covering cakes, creating decorations, and moulding shapes. It is perfect for flat decorations and small, squatty shapes. For standing decorations or larger flowers, it can be combined with gumpaste to add more structure. Marshmallow fondant is also suitable for different types of cakes, including chocolate, yellow cake, and chocolate mousse cake.

Furthermore, marshmallow fondant tastes better than traditional store-bought fondant. It has a pleasant flavour and is not overly sweet, making it a tasty addition to any wedding cake. The fondant can also be flavoured with extracts, such as almond extract, to enhance its taste.

Overall, marshmallow fondant is an excellent choice for decorating wedding cakes. It is easy to make, affordable, versatile, and most importantly, it tastes delicious. With its smooth texture and beautiful finish, marshmallow fondant can help create a stunning and memorable wedding cake.

You can make it using a stand mixer or by hand

Making marshmallow fondant is easy and can be done using a stand mixer or by hand. The ingredients are the same for both methods: marshmallows, water, powdered sugar, and vegetable shortening.

Using a Stand Mixer:

First, grease the bowl and hook attachment of the stand mixer with shortening. Dust the bowl gently with powdered sugar. Next, melt the marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave or on the stove. Add water to the melted marshmallows to loosen the mixture from the bowl. Pour this mixture into the stand mixer with the shortening.

With the mixer on its lowest setting, slowly add in half of the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Once a stiff ball appears, you may want to mix in any remaining sugar by hand, as it can be rough on your mixer. Knead the mixture until a pliable dough forms. If the dough feels stiff, you can add water or omit adding more sugar.

By Hand:

Place the marshmallows and water in a large microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave, stirring at intervals until melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can melt the marshmallows in a saucepan over medium-low heat on the stove.

Grease your hands and countertop generously with shortening. Turn the marshmallow mixture onto the counter and start kneading it like dough, gradually adding more powdered sugar as needed. Keep kneading until a nice ball forms. This will take some time, and you may not use all the sugar, but keep working until the stickiness dissipates and you have a smooth dough.

For both methods, wrap the fondant in plastic wrap and store at room temperature or in the refrigerator. When ready to use, dust the surface with powdered sugar and knead the dough until pliable.

Frequently asked questions