Icings with a Purpose

As I uploaded some recent photos to www.flickr.com/kreacioneskity I noticed something. The more I use fondant, the more I love it. It’s an absolute great medium to be able to use. It allows for a more smooth finish and in some cases a more realistic depiction of a particular item. However, this doesn’t mean I love using it more than I do whipped frosting. As a matter of fact, frosting a cake in whipped icing is one of my favorite things. I can give a 14” round a smooth coat in about 7 minutes – start to finish. But each icing serves its purpose – a different purpose.

 

 

Look at the cakes below. Rachel’s “Ashtray cake” would have never come out so realistic if it had been done in the whipped icing. Likewise, if they had been done in fondant, Gaby’s “Baptism Wings” wouldn’t look like they are indeed about to fly away.

 

 

 

In the case of the pink ashtray, it called for a very specific smooth look. The black and white sanding sugar used to form the ‘ashes’ could have soaked into the whipped icing, and once removed the fondant cigarettes would have also left their mark. Neither one of these things happened with the fondant-covered cake.

 

 

The whipped icing gives the wings an airy and soft look. They truly look like wings. Had the wings been done in fondant, it wouldn’t have been able to give that same airy and soft look. Also it would have been very heavy. The weight of layers and layers of fondant would have definitely added additional weight to the cake.

 

 

Now, even though each icing serves it’s own purpose and produce very different results, it doesn’t mean that they can’t be combined. Val’s and Mike’s “Ball & Chain” is the perfect example of combining the best of both worlds. The ball is covered in fondant and the chain is made of a gumpaste/fondant mixture. Placed atop whipped-covered cakes with flames, the ball and chain look great. The whipped flames give the cake a certain texture and feel. The cake as a whole highlights the best of each icing’s purpose.

 

 

The use of fondant, whipped or buttercream, icing can make a difference in the design of a cake. A knowledge and capable baker should be able to tell you what will work best for the cake you have in mind.

 

 

As always, much love. Hit me up for your cake and cupcake orders. Peace out!