New - Looking for Advice on fondant

[sosweet]

Hello, I am planning on decorating my first cake for my daughter's first birthday. Unfortunately it is for Sunday and the more research I do the more overwhelming it seems. I know I can do it I just need some pointers. I researched fondarific and would love to use that but I don't think I can get it here on time. I also researched satin ice which I guess would be my second choice. The fondarific is expensive and would cost a ton to get it here on time. As a beginner could I use Satin Ice just as easy? I'm making a baby chick cake and I'm cutting the cake in that shape. How do I cover a shaped cake? Do I do the top then the sides and blend together or do the entire cake at once? (sorry I'm so long). Also does anyone do any cake supply stores in Brooklyn or NY where I can get satin ice or preferrable fondarific. I found one with fondarafic in Queens but it is really out of the way. thanks.

[LadyDZA]

I've never used Fondarific, but Satin Ice is AMAZING. I love it. Incredibly easy to use and tastes amazing!! If you are baking the pieces separately and then piecing them--say, the head separate from the body, then you could cover them separately and do a ribbon of fondant around the neck to cover the seam. It's quite difficult to cover a shaped cake all at once, especially if you have no experience with fondant at all before this. So piecing it may be easier. Just be sure to roll your fondant big enough to cover the cakes completely, as it is incredibly difficult to blend it sometimes. I dont live in the NY area so I cant help with a store. Good luck! I have a few shaped cakes in my photos if you want to reference them for what I mean about covering the pieces separately, then finishing the seam with a ribbon of fondant.

[jeri]

Great advice from LadyDZA.... I use only Satin Ice. I love it. I am on the West Coast and can not help you with stores... I have to order everything in. The secret to doing great fondant work is the tools. You need a silicone fondant mat or a vinyl mat to roll it out on and a fondant rolling pin, a pizza cutter or a fondant cutter. I personally cover the entire cake at once but a shaped cake can be very tricky. You have to have a feel for the fondant and work with it gently. Be sure to watch some fondant clips on you tube to see how it is done. The best fondant video is Sharon Zambito's flawless fondant. Good Luck!

[Jazz2U]

I'm jealous, this place is in your back yard!!! Bakery Supplies & Restaurant Supplies, Pastry tools, bakery & restaurant equipment I don't know if it's open to the public. My friend just did fondant for the first time. She made her own too. She learned from YouTube. If you get hooked on decorating, check out meetup.com NY Cake decorators or you can maybe find a decorator there to make your cakes. Good luck!

[sosweet]

Thank you for the advice and links. LadyDZA thanks for the offer to check out your gallery. I'm taking you up on it. I'll let you guys know how the cake turns out. Oh I got a sample of the fondarific in the mail last night. It tasted pretty good and this is from someone who rarely even taste any kind of icing. It is expensive though. Now that I think of it too expensive for a beginner. I'd like to give the satin ice a try and move on from there.

[cindmesum]

I prefer Satin Ice over Fondarific for two reasons...1) Fondarific is so much sweeter than Satin Ice (imo) and fondant is sweet enough as it is, and 2) Satin Ice dries quicker and harder than Fondarific. I have found the best prices on both at Global Sugar, Jester's & here. If anyone else has found Satin Ice cheaper, by all means....please tell me! Hope your cake turned out wonderfully!

[jeri]

Satin Ice is my fav. I find the flavors of fondariffic fight with the cake flavors. For the price Can't beat Satin Ice.

[parrolet313]

I don't know how close this is to you....but my cousin owns Fantes in Philadelphia Pa.
www.fantes.com. I know she sells Satin Ice......if it's any help........

[bettycakes]

D & G Occassions also has Satin Ice. The prices are comprable to Jesters. I ordered it on Saturday and received it on Tuesday, they're in Fl. and I'm in VA. Jesters seems to be out the same time I am and I found D & G by googling fondant.