Fondant is the go-to topping for many celebration cakes but not everyone enjoys the taste or texture of fondant. For some, fondant can be too sweet, and it winds up left behind on the side of the plate as a result.
Luckily, there are alternatives you can choose that will ensure your cake is just as stunning to look at while being more to your personal taste. From buttercream to fruit and chocolate, here are a few suggestions of how you can still have a beautiful cake without relying on fondant.
What is buttercream?
Buttercream is made from butter and icing sugar, but this base mixture can also be flavoured in a variety of ways, from citrus and berries to mint, chocolate or caramel. It’s a deliciously soft and fluffy filling for layered cakes and it can be used for decorating the tops of cakes too. From wedding cakes to sophisticated birthday cakes, buttercream can be used for a range of techniques to create stunning decorations.
Smooth buttercream coating
The first option when it comes to a fondant-free cake is to use buttercream to create a perfectly smooth finish around the outside of your cake which looks professional and chic, providing a similar aesthetic to fondant but without the intense sweetness that can come from using fondant. The buttercream is applied around your cake in generous layers to build up a smooth surface that is finished with a pallet knife, resulting in a crisp edge that’s entirely smooth and looks incredibly stylish.
Rustic feathered effects
Buttercream can also be used to create a more rustic finish, where the palette knife is used to press small dots of buttercream in different colours over the surface of the cake to achieve a feathered, frosted effect. If you want to achieve a ‘painted’, watercolour-effect for your cake, this is a great technique to achieve that look. We’ve created cakes in the past that pair this effect with slivers of chocolate for an impactful centrepiece for your special day.
Rosettes and swirls
Rosettes, swirls or dots in varying sizes can be used to decorate the exterior of the cake, creating a striking finish. This is a particularly popular option for decorating cupcakes for that classic swirl of icing. Using a different piping tip, we can also create stars of buttercream to embellish the cake, or even create the illusion of fur or grass for fun birthday cakes, such as animal cakes or football designs.
Naked cakes
Alternatively, why not opt for a naked cake? With this style, the buttercream is applied in a thin layer, similar to the initial crumb coat when decorating a cake, and then topped with fruit or flowers. It’s a subtly elegant option if you want the flavour of the cake itself to shine, with just a hint of icing for additional sweetness, that works well with all party or event themes and colour schemes.
Buttercream and chocolate
For contrast in colour and flavour, why not pair your buttercream coating with chocolate? A favourite among our customers is to choose a smooth pastel buttercream which is then drizzled with chocolate around the edges of the cake for a beautiful effect that is just as delicious as it looks.
The decoration of your cake is what sets it apart from a standard dessert to a show-stopping centrepiece, so the exterior counts just as much as how it tastes. But you’re not tied to fondant when it comes to finishing off your cake. Buttercream is a beautiful and tasty option that is great for birthday cakes, wedding cakes or cupcakes, while fresh fruit, chocolates or sweets can also be used to finish the top of the cake in a striking way.
If you have a cake in mind for your event or celebration, contact Cakes by Robin today and a member of our team will be able to help you.
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FAQs
Smooth buttercream coating
The first option when it comes to a fondant-free cake is to use buttercream to create a perfectly smooth finish around the outside of your cake which looks professional and chic, providing a similar aesthetic to fondant but without the intense sweetness that can come from using fondant.
What can I use instead of buttercream or fondant? ›
- Whipped Cream Icing: This light and fluffy icing is made with cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. ...
- Cream Cheese Icing: This creamy icing is made with cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. ...
- Ganache: This rich, chocolatey icing is made with heavy cream and chocolate chips.
Using Gum Paste
It can be rolled quite thin and is ideal for creating hand-modeled flowers or other intricate decorations. While fondant will remain soft, gum paste dries quite hard and is better suited for decoration on a cake than for, say, covering an entire cake.
What dries harder than fondant? ›
Gum paste is a soft and pliable sugar dough, but unlike fondant, it dries completely hard. This makes it perfect for creating detailed cake decorations like roses, daisies and other flowers.
What kind of fondant do professionals use? ›
Satin Ice Rolled Fondant – This is the most common brand of commercial fondant used in the US today, and has been endorsed by both celebrity pastry chefs and reality TV cake decorators.
Do you need fondant for a cake? ›
I much prefer buttercream icing - fondant is really only beneficial if you want a unique or specially designed cake as it is malleable and functional while also being edible. Unfortunately, while it may be edible, it doesn't taste NEARLY as amazing as good old-fashioned buttercream!!!
What is the difference between fondant and marzipan? ›
Marzipan vs Fondant
For their differences, marzipan tends to be more pliable than fondant and is less likely to crack when being handled, making it easier to work with. Marzipan features a nutty subtle flavor that complements certain recipes while fondant is a more neutral sweeter alternative.
What is best to cover a cake? ›
It should be easy to spread (to help keep from dragging up large crumbs in the cake) but not so thin or so warm that it falls off the cake. Buttercreams, my cream cheese frosting, and swiss meringue buttercream are all great choices for a beginner cake decorator.
Which is cheaper fondant or buttercream? ›
In comparison to fondant, buttercream cakes are usually less expensive. On the other hand, buttercream is not suited for sculpting and it never lies flat. Also, because of its smooth texture, it is more susceptible to heat and humidity and harder to transport.
Which tastes better, buttercream or fondant? ›
The other downside is the taste. Fondant is basically one huge piece of candy, which a lot of people can find sickly, while the thick, dry texture can be a turn off for others. Buttercream, on the other hand, has a rich, creamy taste that most people prefer to fondant.
In conclusion, there are many alternatives to buttercream frosting that you can use to ice your cake. Ganache, cream cheese frosting, whipped cream frosting, fondant, and meringue frosting are all excellent options that are easy to make and delicious to taste.
What are the cons of fondant? ›
Rolled fondant is fairly shelf-stable due to the high quantity of sugar, but old fondant, or fondant that's been packaged poorly, is prone to drying out. Dry fondant will not appear smooth and may even crack. It's finicky: If rolled too thick or too thin, the fondant will be harder to manipulate.
Is it cheaper to make or buy fondant? ›
What I love about this recipe: Inexpensive: Store-bought fondant can be pretty expensive but this fondant recipe only costs about $2 for per batch (about 3lbs of fondant)! Fast: Only takes about 10 minutes to make homemade fondant!
What is modeling paste for cakes? ›
Modelling paste is designed for… you got it, modelling work. It's ideal for creating models, figures and also using in mould and cutters. It's not quite as stretchy as florist paste, but takes longer to dry to provide more time for complex modelling projects.
What is a good substitute for fondant glue? ›
Tylose glue creates a stronger bond when working with fondant or gum paste than "glue" alternatives like water, corn syrup, or even piping gel can provide.
What is homemade fondant made of? ›
Mix butter, sweetened condensed milk, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until fondant has the consistency of modeling clay. If fondant is too moist, knead in additional confectioners' sugar.
What can you use to cover a cake? ›
-Buttercream and frostings can do wonders to an uneven cake and cover flaws, but it's always a good idea to build a stable foundation. This will make the covering much easier, and you will end up with a more even cake.
