What is Fondant???

[lindrusso]

chefandi-

Have you ever seen those cakes with the icing that looks impossibly smooth?? That's fondant. I think maybe they use it for petits fours (spelling???) too?? It appears as if you sort of "drape" it over a cake rather than spread it, but I've never actually seen it done nor have I used fondant myself. I'd love to learn though - it looks beautiful!

I found a picture - I like it when you can actually SEE it!

http://a444.g.akamai.net/7/444/703/aa0c45863ad110/www.marthabymail.com/mbm_assets/product_images/cook_powderedfondant_m.jpg

[chefandi]

Help I have a question and I need your imput! I was on another thread (melting choc.) and someone gave the recipe for choc. covered cherries. These sound great but it calls for fondant and gives the recipe but I don't understand what it is? This may turn out to be a really stupid question but please help me out if possible!

[shoyski]

Here's what Epicurious has to say:

[FAHN-duhnt]
Used as both candy and icing, fondant is a simple sugar-water-CREAM OF TARTAR mixture cooked to the SOFT-BALL STAGE. After cooling, the mixture is beaten and kneaded until extremely pliable. It can be formed into decorations or candy, which can be dipped in chocolate. Heating fondant makes it soft enough to be used as an icing to coat large and small cakes. FOOD COLORING and a variety of flavorings can be added to fondant for visual and taste appeal. It can be refrigerated, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months.

Hope this helps.