One of the most annoying issues you can encounter in your kitchen is when you put out all of your tools, cutter and so forth only to discover that your fondant has gone hard. This happens when the fondant has been exposed to air when you roll it out, and do not cover it, and also when you leave it for too long before you use it, or maybe it has been stored in a container that was not airtight. However, there are various ways to melt or soften your fondant. Below are some of the different ways to soften fondant.
Contents
The Microwave Method
One of the most effective ways to melt your fondant is using a microwave. To melt your fondant in the microwave simply follow these steps.
- Place your fondant in the microwave-proof dish and let it heat up for 5-seconds or so on low heat
- When the fondant is ready take it out and leave it to cool for a few minutes, then knead it
- Repeat the process if necessary until you get the desired results
It is best not to leave your fondant in the microwave for more than 5 seconds at a time. If you leave your fondant for too long it will overheat and the sugar will either turn to toffee or burn, and your fondant will become useless.
Make sure that you do not attempt to knead your fondant as soon as you remove it from the microwave because it will be too hot in the centre. Remember that fondant is made of sugar so it will stick to your hands and burn you. Also, do not let a child touch the fondant until it has had time to cool down.
Melt The Fondant With Your Hands
Melting the fondant with your hands can also be just as effective. In order to do this simply smear a white fat on your hands and knead the fondant until it has become soft enough to use. The heat coming from your hands should help to make the fondant softer. If your hands are cold, you can warm them under a hot warm tap and dry them before kneading the fondant.
The Pasta Roller Method
Another effective way to soften or melt your fondant is using a paste roller. If you have a pasta rolling machine you can make use of it to soften your fondant.
- Cut your fondant into pieces
- Set your pasta rollers to the widest setting,
- Feed your fondant into the machine and keep feeding small portions at a time through the machine until the fondant is soft enough to knead.
- Once each piece becomes soft, wrap it up until all of it has gone through the rollers and then knead it to get the desired results
- Using the machine will be more efficient
It is not advisable to use a hand mixer for kneading fondant because it will not be strong enough, plus you will burn out the motor.
Tips For Softening or Melting Fondant
Try not to overdo it if you decide to add glycerine or vegetable shortening to your fondant. A little bit goes a long way, especially when it comes to shortening. Your fondant should be smooth, light and easy to work with. If your fondant becomes too heavy, gooey or stretchy, you might have added a little too much glycerine. Simply sprinkle a light dusting of corn-starch over your fondant and knead it until you are happy with the consistency you get.
Take note that long-term exposure to air causes your fondant to become hard and dry. In order to keep your fondant soft and workable consider storing it in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in a piece of plastic wrap. Too much moisture destroys your fondant, refrigeration is not ideal. This is because the opening and closing of the fridge doors make it difficult to control the humidity levels inside. If you keep your fondant in an airtight container, it will remain safe to use for several months.
Take note that fondant will go bad if you do not store it properly. if you intend on using the fondant within a few days, it should be fine kept in a cool part of your kitchen but if you do plan on using the fondant any time soon, store it in the freezer.
It is also important to make sure that your fondant does not become mouldy. If you keep your fondant at room temperature for more than a few days, it will begin to develop moulds. As much as it is made of sugar the other ingredients added to prepare it will cause it to go off. Thus, if you have a warm kitchen, it is best to keep your fondant in the freezer. You will simply need to take it out a couple of hours before you want to use it so that it thaws before you can use it.
Benefits Of Using Fondant
Fondant is just like dough, so it is much more pliable. When used on a cake you can do so much more with it when decorating. Cakes including wedding cakes with fancy bows and decorations or cakes that look like real cars or other things are covered with fondant icing since buttercream icing cannot be moulded like fondant can. Therefore, if you want to have a cake in an interesting shape or with a lot of 3-D designs, you need to make use of fondant icing instead of buttercream.
Dairy is a big part of making buttercream icing. As a result, most people have to skip eating the cake if they cannot have anything dairy involved in making it. If you want to have a cake so you can avoid any potential problems with dairy allergies, you may need to get one with fondant icing. Fondant does not use any dairy as an ingredient at all, so it can be eaten by people who are lactose-intolerant. Your guests can enjoy the icing on your cake without experiencing the negative side effects.
