Cake question - please help an ignorant vegan...

They want to know what type of icing I want on my cake - I said 'vanilla'

Then he asks me - buttercream, fondant, or whipped....

I feel really dumb - but what is fondant again? I asked this a while back but it didn't 'stick'

and whipped - does he mean like whipped cream???


Help me decide!!!!

fondant is the sheets of frosting that are 'soild' if that makes sense...I have never had it but my sister who makes cakes says that it dose not tatste all that great.

Whipped cream in 'lighter' then butter cream butter cream is heavy and more sugary


http://www.pastrywiz.com/season/fondant.htm

Whipped is in fact whipped cream

Fondant is a paste (usually made from some type of sugar) which can be rolled and manipulated much more flexible than other types of frosting.

Fondant is not known for its taste and many people put a layer of icing under it.

If you are really uncertain I would go with butter cream -- it is easy and inexpensive (unlike fondant) and is less likely to spoil then whipped cream.

---

Posted by stephanielyse

If you are having a vegan cake and decide on fondant, make sure they realize that they need something to replace the gelatin! My cake lady used agar, I believe. If you need more info, FM me.

---

hey fellow vegan - they are going to veganize whatever I do - so I think I'll go for buttercream after all - I remember people not liking fondant - so I'll contact my guys and see if he can veganize the buttercream - he has someone who is making the top tier vegan - I'll let you know how it goes!!!

I like whipped cream best for taste.

I like all three, personally.

I am one of maybe 4 people worldwide who Absolutely LOVE Fondant.

---

Posted by PrincessRose

I like all three, personally.

I am one of maybe 4 people worldwide who Absolutely LOVE Fondant.

---

My DH and I are on that list, too. Who's the fourth??

---

Posted by PrincessRose

I like all three, personally.

I am one of maybe 4 people worldwide who Absolutely LOVE Fondant.

---

I love fondant too My cake had something called white chocolate fondant on it. I peeled that stuff and ate it like candy, it was so good

In all seriousness, certain cake designs really lend themselves better to fondant icing than to whipped cream because fondant is stiffer. It's good for making very structured cakes and it holds up better in the heat. My cake was fondant because it was all boxes and bows

ETA: the bottom layer was whipped cream or buttercream but then they stuck sugared rose petals to it.

---

Posted by PrincessRose

I like all three, personally.

I am one of maybe 4 people worldwide who Absolutely LOVE Fondant.

---

Me too! Fondant rocks!!

if you are getting a vegan cake, ask which icing can be done vegan.

whipped cream is just that- whipped cream. although some bakeries use a ready made powder, as it holds up better.

buttercream- is usually shortening or butter with sugar.

fondant- i am not quite sure exactly how it is made, but i know they do put some kind of animal fat in it with sugar and then roll it out. as someone said before, ask if they can do it without animal products.

---

Posted by klingklang77

if you are getting a vegan cake, ask which icing can be done vegan.

whipped cream is just that- whipped cream. although some bakeries use a ready made powder, as it holds up better.

buttercream- is usually shortening or butter with sugar.

fondant- i am not quite sure exactly how it is made, but i know they do put some kind of animal fat in it with sugar and then roll it out. as someone said before, ask if they can do it without animal products.

---

we decided on butter cream, which can then be veganized!

Keep in mind Liza that if you have whipped cream - this cake can't get warm or sit out long b/c of it's milk base!!!
It may be lighter, but FH and I chose buttercream b/c we wanted to play it safe.

---

Posted by ewickens

Keep in mind Liza that if you have whipped cream - this cake can't get warm or sit out long b/c of it's milk base!!!
It may be lighter, but FH and I chose buttercream b/c we wanted to play it safe.

---

yup - buttercream it is!!!

---

Posted by lipglossjunky73

---

Posted by ewickens

Keep in mind Liza that if you have whipped cream - this cake can't get warm or sit out long b/c of it's milk base!!!
It may be lighter, but FH and I chose buttercream b/c we wanted to play it safe.

---

yup - buttercream it is!!!

---

---

Posted by SuzBride

We chose buttercream. Fondant is too thick and sheetlike - I don't like the texture. We can't have whipped cream in July cause it is too hot and could melt/run (could also apply to June)

---

omg - you are right around the corner!!!

Our cake was whipped cream. Many people thought it was fondant. We do not like fondant and preferred taste over how the cake would look. If your baker is skilled, they can do just about anything.


ETA: We had a winter wedding on the coldest day of the year so we didnt have the 'melting factor' to deal with.

Fondant is like a solid icing. it is sort of like marzapan. If gives cak a moe finished look...

At the bakery I used to work at, whipped cream was really buttercream... but a little lighter. It tasted like cool whip. They use it because it lasts longer than real whipped cream.