Cupcake decorating

Fondant

Fondant is a soft icing made from powdered sugar, gelatin, glucose and glycerin.

photography by: Louis Hiemstra

Types
Prepared fondant (also known as ready-to-roll icing) is used as a quick way to achieve a perfectly smooth textured finish to your cupcakes. Prepared fondant must be kneaded on a surface lightly dusted with icing sugar until soft and pliable before rolling out to your desired thickness. Also lightly dust your rolling pin for better results.

Modeling fondant is used for making icing shapes like flowers , leaves or other preferred shapes. Both types can be bought ready-made from specialty bakery shops and some gourmet grocery stores.

Coloring fondant
After kneading fondant until smooth, use a skewer to color your fondant. Knead the coloring well into fondant until desired color is achieved. The amount of coloring needed will depend on the intensity of the color desired.

Shaping modeling fondant
Cut out shapes with small cutters and place shapes on a clean dish towel to dry. Use to decorate your cupcakes.
A little bit of icing can be used to stick various shapes of fondant onto each other

Fondant icing
Make fondant icing by placing 450g (16 oz) prepared fondant over a medium pot of simmering water (double boiler) and stir until smooth. Stir in 1 egg white and allow to cool to room temperate or until thickened slightly. Colour with food coloring as desired.

More cupcake decorating ideas:

Cupcakes are easy to bake but all the fun lies in the decorating experience.  Get the kids to help and create their own little masterpieces.

• Decorate your little patisseries with nuts, chopped honeycomb, chocolate curls or desiccated coconut
• Add liquor to your butter cream icing for a delicious twist
• Pipe ready-made chocolate, coffee or strawberry mousse onto your cupcakes
• Pipe or spread meringue onto your little cakes and bake in a preheated oven at 180˚C (350˚F) for
  5 minutes or until lightly browned. 
• Dust designs onto your cupcakes with icing sugar. Use a doily to make your designs and carefully lift away from the cupcakes once dusted
• Decorate your cupcakes with whipped cream and fresh fruit. 
• Top your cupcakes with truffles or dried rose petals.