Decorating a Cake with
Buttercream & Rolled Fondant

On this page you will find a variety of rolled fondant and buttercream recipes for decorating a cake, particularly a wedding cake, which are from an old cake decorating booklet by Miriam Loos. see this book and the Wilton book

Rolled Fondant Icing

Makes enough for a 4 layer 9 or 10 inch cake
2 pounds powdered sugar
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening
1 tablespoon glycerin (available in pharmacy)
1 teaspoon almond extract
Non stick cooking spray
1 to 2 cups sifted powdered sugar

Sift powdered sugar into a large bowl; set aside. In a 1 quart saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand for 1 minute. Stir over very low heat until gelatin is dissolved. Add corn syrup, shortening and glycerin. Stir over very low heat until shortening is melted (do not boil). Remove from heat.

Stir in extract. Pour over powdered sugar in bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon coated with non stick spray. With sprayed hands, knead in bowl until smooth and pliable. Add additional powdered sugar as needed if fondant is sticky. Spray counter top and rolling pin with nonstick cooking spray; dust with powdered sugar. Roll fondant into a 16 inch circle about 1/4 inch thick, rotating frequently to prevent sticking. If fondant seems too soft to handle, let stand for 20 to 30 minutes before lifting onto cake.

See Miriam's Layered Wedding Cake for cake preparation and application of icing. The recipes below are Miriam's recipes also.

Mock Marzipan Strawberries

1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 packages (6oz) each strawberry gelatin
1 package (10oz) walnut pieces, finely chopped (2 2/3 cups)
1 package (7oz) shredded coconut, finely chopped
5 tablespoons red decorating sugar

In a large bowl, combine condensed milk, gelatin, walnuts and coconut until uniform. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Shape mixture into strawberries. Roll in decorating sugar; place on waxed paper. Let stand for 1 hour or until a crust forms on the outside. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use to decorate frosted cakes or serve as confections.

Buttercream Frosting

6 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups solid vegetable shortening
6 tablespoons water
3 teaspoons vanilla extract (see note)
2 teaspoons liquid butter flavor (optional)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
Additional sifted powdered sugar
Food Color (optional)

In a large mixer bowl at low speed, beat 6 cups powdered sugar, shortening, water, vanilla, butter flavor and salt until well blended. At medium speed, beat for 5 minutes or until smooth and creamy. (Frosting will be soft)

Divide into portions needed. Use as is for crumb-frosting and final frosting. Add additional powdered sugar for a stiffer consistency. Use stiff frosting for writing and leaves. Tint portions with food color as required. Leftover buttercream can be kept covered in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Note: For a pure white frosting, do not use vanilla extract. Colorless artificial vanilla can be purchased at specialty stores if desired. Other colorless extracts and liquid flavors are almond, coconut, banana, lemon, and mint.

Custard Filling for Wedding Cake

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 cups milk
4 egg yolks, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a 2 quart saucepan, mix sugar and flour. Add milk and stir until blended. Stirring over medium heat, bring to a full boil. Gradually stir about one-third of the hot mixture into the egg yolks, then stir back into the hot mixture in saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

Stir in vanilla. Transfer mixture to a bowl and place a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap directly on surface. Refrigerate at least 1 1/2 hours or until thoroughly chilled.

Satin Fondant Icing

Makes 3 cups or enough for two 10 inch ring cakes.
3/4 cup warm water
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 pounds powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Food Color

In a 3-quart saucepan, combine water and corn syrup. Stir in powdered sugar until well blended. Over very low heat, stir with a wire wisk until barely lukewarm and sugar is dissolved (do not beat or bubbles will form) Remove from heat.

Stir in vanilla and food color. If any small lumps are visible, pour the icing through a sieve. Use immediately while warm and thin. If too thick, add warm water 1 teaspoon at a time. If additional icing is needed, prepare a second batch separately.

Chocolate Satin Fondant Icing

Makes 1 1/2 cups or enough for one 10-inch tube cake
In a 2-quart saucepan, prepare half a recipe of Satin Fondant Icing using the following ingredients:

7 tablespoons warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 pound powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Stir in 1 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled, with the vanilla.

Cake Decorating Books
Cake Decorating Tools You Need
Basic Tube Design Types
Using Your Decorator bag
Practicing your Decorating
Color Makes the Cake
How to Make Drop Flowers
How to Make Leaves
Make you First Wedding Cake

Easy Homemade Cake Recipes
Birthday Cake Decorating Ideas
White Icings and Frostings
Chocolate Icings and Frostings
Cheese cakes, Fruit Cakes, Christmas Cakes

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Decorating a Cake withButtercream & Rolled Fondant