Nothing beats the desserts you make by yourself.
You can add your personal touch, make sure you have control over the ingredients, and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.
Marshmallow fondant is an easier option than regular fondant that you use for decorations because the first step is made for you.
But, still, you might end up with marshmallow fondant that isn’t elastic or stretchy.
So, why does this happen? Is there anything you can do about this?
Keep reading to learn more about this problem.
What is Marshmallow Fondant?
Fondant is a sweet dough you can use to decorate cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and other desserts.
The main ingredient is sugar, and the proper ratio between wet and dry ingredients gives the fondant its distinctive feel and texture.
Marshmallow fondant is similar to regular fondant, and you can use it in the same way to decorate various desserts.
The main ingredient is marshmallows, which are made of sugar, corn syrup, water, and gelatine. You might have other ingredients that add color and flavor to your marshmallow fondant.
This way, it can be easier to use and prepare than regular fondant because all you have to do is melt it and add some powdered sugar and water to reach the right consistency.
As a result, it’s an excellent option for beginners and those in a hurry because you don’t have to prepare the fondant from scratch.
Once you’ve reached the desired sticky and stretchy consistency, you can use marshmallow fondant for decoration.
Why Is My Marshmallow Fondant Not Elastic?
Marshmallow fondant can save you time in the kitchen because it’s easy to use.
Yet, it’s too delicate, so if it has the wrong consistency, you might be unable to use it for decoration.
If you notice that your marshmallow fondant isn’t elastic and is starting to crack, this might be caused by the weather.
In overly dry weather, your marshmallow fondant won’t be stretchy. On the other hand, if the weather is too humid, the fondant can be too runny.
So, if you notice that your marshmallow fondant isn’t elastic, you can do the following.
- If you notice too many cracks in your fondant, remove the damaged piece and discard it. It usually contains cake pieces, so you won’t be able to reuse it.
- Minor cracks due to lack of elasticity can be repaired by adding a new piece of fondant to fill any gap.
- Coat your fingers in shortening and use them to smooth out any cracks or holes in the fondant.
- Avoid using water to add elasticity to your marshmallow fondant, as it might become too runny.
- If you can’t fix the damaged marshmallow fondant, cover it up by piping over it or using a design element to conceal it.
What Other Problems Can You Face With Your Marshmallow Fondant?
Marshmallow fondant is a straightforward and versatile decoration that you can use to elevate the look of any cake.
But beginner users will need some practice before they can adequately use it. Here are some of the most common problems you might encounter with your marshmallow fondant and how to fix them.
Not Smooth
Marshmallow fondant is supposed to be smooth. But if the cake underneath isn’t smooth, your fondant layer will show all the imperfections.
Before you add your fondant layer, you should smooth out the cake and remove all imperfections.
Moreover, you should avoid stretching your fondant too thin as it will show all the flaws.
Showing Bulges
After spreading your marshmallow fondant layer, you might see a bulge forming on the surface.
This happens because some air is trapped between the cake surface and the fondant layer.
If the bulge or bubble has just happened on a freshly iced cake, you can smooth it out like you would smooth out wallpaper bubbles. Just pick up the fondant layer and deflate the bulge.
The location of the bulge also matters. If it’s near the bottom, use a spatula to lift the fondant layer off the bottom and smooth it out.
Once the fondant layer has dried, you won’t be able to do anything about the bubbles. In this case, you should use a piece of decoration to conceal it.
Sweating Fondant
This is when you see water drops on top of your marshmallow fondant layer.
It happens when you store your cake in the fridge.
Sugar attracts moisture from the air, and you can see the fondant sweating.
Add some icing sugar with a clean brush and let your cake sit outside. The sweating will disappear, and the fondant will dry.
After that, you should attempt to store your cake in a cardboard box that is big enough to accommodate the cake without touching the top or sides.
Final Thoughts
Marshmallow fondant is similar to regular fondant, but it’s easier to use because the first step has been done on your behalf. This is why many beginner cake decorators prefer to use it.
However, you might notice that it’s not elastic and it shows cracks. This usually happens in dry weather.
In some cases, you can fix the cracks or conceal them. However, in others, you should remove the marshmallow fondant and use a new piece.
You might encounter other problems like having marshmallow fondant that isn’t too smooth, shows bulges, or sweats a lot. Yet, several tips and tricks can help you fix these issues to have nice looking fondant for your cakes and other desserts.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.