How to Install Fondant on a Round Cake

Rolled fondant gives a smooth surface to any type of cake.

Anyone who has been frustrated while trying to frost a cake with buttercream, royal or other icings can understand the usefulness of rolled fondant icing. Whether it's getting crumbs in the surface of the icing or tearing the surface of the cake, rolled fondant icing makes all those issues moot. Plus, rolled fondant can mask any surface imperfections the cake may have. Placing rolled fondant on a round cake is a matter of getting the proper consistency and placement. Does this Spark an idea?

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Cardboard cake round
Cake decorating turntable
Serrated knife
Buttercream icing
Offset spatula
Confectioner's sugar
Rolling pin
Smoothing tool

Instructions

- 1
  
  Make a small amount of buttercream icing following the recipe's directions.
- 2
  
  Determine how much fondant you need to cover your cake; for example, a round cake that is 4 inches high and 10 inches in circumference requires at least 36 ounces of rolled fondant, while a 3-inch high, 14-inch round requires 48 ounces.
- 3
  
  Place the cake on a cardboard cake round. Set the cake on a cake decorating turntable.
- 4
  
  Trim away any unevenness on the top of the cake, using a serrated knife. Refrigerate the cake for about two hours.
- 5
  
  Place the cake back on the cake decorating turntable. Use an offset spatula to spread a thin layer of buttercream icing on the surface of the cake to give the fondant icing something to adhere to.
- 6
  
  Knead the fondant until it is pliable. Add a small amount of confectioner's sugar if the fondant becomes sticky.
- 7
  
  Sprinkle a small amount of confectioner's sugar on your work surface. Lay the fondant down and begin rolling it out with a rolling pin. Keep adding confectioner's sugar as needed.
- 8
  
  Roll the fondant out until it is a big enough circle to cover the top and the sides of the cake with plenty left over.
- 9
  
  Drape the rolled fondant over the rolling pin. Lay the fondant on top of the cake so that about one-third of the fondant drapes over the side of the cake closest to you. Roll the fondant over the surface of the cake.
- 10
  
  Smooth the top of the cake using your fingertips or a smoothing tool. Repeat for the sides of the cake as well. Use the serrated knife to trim away any excess fondant from the bottom of the cake. Decorate as desired.