Fondant icing a supersaturated solution until nucleation occurs. While the solution is supersaturated, if a cook puts a seed crystal (undissolved sucrose) into the mix, or agitates the solution, the dissolved sucrose crystallizes to form large, crunchy crystals (which is how rock candy is made). However, if the cook lets the solution cool undisturbed and then stirs it vigorously, it forms many tiny crystals, resulting in a smooth-textured fondant. Fondant icing Fondant icing, also commonly referred to simply as fondant (, ), is an icing used to decorate or sculpt cakes and pastries. It is made from sugar, water, gelatin, butter, and
Fondant icing is similar to rolled fondant but with a stiffer consistency, which makes it a good sculpting material. "Sugar paste" or "gum paste" is similar to rolled fondant, but hardens completely—and therefore is used for bigger cake decorations, such as bride and groom figures, bigger flowers, etc. Sugar paste is made mainly of egg whites and powdered sugar. Poured fondant is formed by supersaturating water with sucrose. More than twice as much sugar dissolves in water at the boiling point as at room temperature. After the sucrose dissolves, if the solution is left to cool undisturbed, the sugar remains dissolved in