How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton (2024)

Posted by Wilton | May 12, 2021

Storing fondant properly is key to keeping it soft. From quick pour to ready-to-use, we’ll show you how to use and store your fondant for extended use.

this …

Fondant is great for adding a smooth finish to your cakes; however, it doesn’t store quite as well as other icings, such as buttercream or royal icing. If your fondant is exposed to moisture or cold temperatures, it can become unusable, which is frustrating to say the least!

The good news is, if properly stored, most fondant can last at room temperature for a couple weeks. In this post, we’ll show you how to store fondant, as well as offer some helpful tips about how to keep your fondant nice and soft!

How Long Does Fondant Last?

There is no timeline for how long fondant will last, as it greatly depends on the storage environment. If stored properly, fondant should keep for about 2 weeks at room temperature.

It’s imperative that your fondant doesn’t develop a crust. A coating of shortening on your fondant might help prevent this, but it’s not a fail-safe. Once fondant develops a crust, it is no longer usable.

Does Fondant Need to be Refrigerated?

No, fondant does not need to be refrigerated. In fact, it should avoid any contact with your refrigerator. Leftover fondant should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

If you plan on covering a cake with fondant, make sure you don’t use any fillings that need to be refrigerated. Fondant-covered cakes will need to be stored at room temperature as well, so avoid using mousse, cream cheese icing, fresh fruit or any other filling that may melt at room temperature.

Other Tips for Using and Storing Fondant

  • If you’re working with a lot of fondant, cover or wrap any fondant not being rolled or worked to prevent it from drying out. You can wrap it in plastic wrap or store it in a plastic bag until ready to use.
  • Knead your fondant until it’s soft and pliable before rolling.
  • If fondant becomes too soft or sticky to roll, knead in a little confectioners’ sugar.
  • To prevent your fondant from sticking as you roll it, prepare your work surface with solid vegetable shortening or a dusting of equal parts confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch.
  • If the fondant is sticking to your hands, lightly dust your hands with confectioners’ sugar or apply a thin coat of vegetable shortening.
  • Fondant picks up dirt and lint easily. Be sure your hands and work surface are clean when handing and avoid wearing fuzzy sweaters during fondant decorating.
  • Sunlight and florescent lighting will alter fondant colors. Keep your fondant-covered cake in a covered box and out of direct light, if possible.

How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton (2)

How to Store Fondant

Fondant TypeFlavor/ DescriptionConsistencyBest Used For...ColoringStorage/ FreshnessSpecial Information
Rolled Fondant Covers cakes with a perfectly smooth, satiny iced surface. Easy and fast to use. Knead in flavor of your choice.Dough-like consistency that is rolled out before applied to cake. Stays semi-soft on cakes. Any firm textured cake, pound cake or fruit cake. Cutting, molding and modeling decorations.White yields pastels to deep colors. Wilton pre-colored fondant is also available in primary, pastel or natural colors multi-packs for fondant decorations in a variety of colors.Excess can be stored 2 months in an airtight container. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Iced cake can be stored at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. Cake fillings requiring refrigeration should not be used in fondant-covered cakes.Prior to applying fondant, cake should be lightly covered with a glaze or buttercream icing to provide a smooth surface.
Quick-Pour Fondant Very sweet flavor. Covers cakes with perfectly smooth, satiny iced surface. Coats baked goods and seals in freshness with a shiny, smooth surface.Pours and dries to a semi-hard, smooth surface. All cakes, petit fours and cookies.Yields vibrant pastels.Use immediately. Excess fondant may be refrigerated for several weeks, reheated and poured again.Prior to applying fondant, cake must be covered in apricot glaze and/or buttercream icing to seal in freshness and moisture.
Decorator Preferred Fondant Vanilla flavored (unless otherwise noted). Covers cakes with a smooth surface. Easy and fast to use.Dough-like consistency that is rolled out before applied to cake. Stays semi-soft on cakes. Covering any firm textured cake, pound cake or layer cake. Can also be used for cutting, molding and modeling decorations.Decorator Preferred fondant is available in a variety of bright, pastel, dark and skin-tone colors. White fondant can also be tinted using any gel-based food coloring.To store fondant, cover it with a thin layer of shortening, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place in an airtight container. Store at room temperature.Prior to applying fondant, cake should be lightly covered with a glaze or buttercream icing to provide a smooth surface.
Flavored Fondant Decadent flavored fondant is available in milk chocolate, white chocolate and caramel flavors; all fondants in this line contain natural ingredients and contain no artificial colors.Soft, dough-like consistency that is rolled out before applied to cake. Stays semi-soft on cakes. Fondant is much softer than Decorator Preferred fondant, so take extra care when rolling. Covering any firm textured cake, pound cake or layer cake. Due to its soft consistency, it’s not recommended for modeling decorations. Flavored fondants contain no artificial colors. Milk chocolate: dark brown; white chocolate: white; caramel: light brownTo store fondant, cover it with a thin layer of shortening, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place in an airtight container. Store at room temperature. Since this fondant is made using real ingredients, it may behave differently than traditional fondant; take care when rolling and covering cakes, as fondant may tear if pulled or handled too much.

Do you have any tips or tricks for working with fondant? Let us know in the comments below!

About The Author

How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton (3)

Wilton

Since 1929, the Wilton Team of bakers has been inspiring the joy of creativity in everyone, everywhere, every day. From big milestone celebrations to simply baking in the kitchen with your loved ones, the Wilton team is here to be your trusted guide, your secret ingredient, ready to help you shine with tips, tricks and solutions that enable you to be your most creative self. No matter where you are on your baking journey, Wilton is here to help you bake your world happy.

    Related Posts

    5 New Ways to Use Decorating Tools You Already Have

    May 13, 2015

    How to Use Petal Piping Tips: 101 Guide

    August 17, 2021

    Piping with Candy Melts Candy

    May 4, 2021

    Toaster Oven Baking Pans and Dessert Recipes

    July 19, 2021

    7 Comments

    1. How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton (8)

      amel fson September 14, 2021 at 8:25 am

      Excellent blog post. I certainly appreciate this website……………….

      Reply

    2. How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton (9)

      amel fson June 21, 2021 at 9:00 am

      Amazing tips. Thanks a lot ….

      Reply

    3. How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton (11)

      amel fson June 2, 2021 at 9:40 am

      This is a fantastic blog

      Reply

    4. How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton (12)

      amel fson May 30, 2021 at 9:29 am

      Beautiful article. thank you //..

      Reply

    5. How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton (13)

      Markon May 23, 2021 at 7:39 am

      I did not know much about Kalakand earlier. Thank you for giving this information

      Reply

    6. How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton (14)

      malikaon May 14, 2021 at 6:00 am

      Helpfull information

      Reply

    Leave a reply

    How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton (2024)

    FAQs

    How to Store Fondant & Freshness Guide | Wilton? ›

    If you're working with a lot of fondant, cover or wrap any fondant not being rolled or worked to prevent it from drying out. You can wrap it in plastic wrap or store it in a plastic bag until ready to use. Knead your fondant until it's soft and pliable before rolling.

    Why can't you refrigerate fondant? ›

    Fondant is sugar. Sugar is hygroscopic, which means it LOVES to pull in moisture any way it can. Humidity in the air is the biggest problem when it comes to refrigerating fondant-covered cakes.

    How long does fondant last in container? ›

    Finally put the whole lot in an airtight plastic box and seal the lid tightly then store in a cool place and preferably away from light. It is slightly laborious but does seem to keep the icing soft for 3-4 weeks.

    How should fondant decorations be stored in advance? ›

    If you want your fondant decorations to stay soft and edible, keep them in an airtight container as soon as you make them. If you want them to harden so they preserve their shape better, leave them out to air-dry before storing them in resealable containers.

    Does unopened fondant expire? ›

    Most fondants have a shelf life of 22 - 24 months. I will always prefer to use my fondant as freshly as possible, within the first 6 months of purchasing. But, sometimes I won't have a project that requires a specific color I've purchased. In this case, I will leave the fondant unopened and in a cool, dry place.

    Will fondant dry out overnight? ›

    Store-bought fondant is typically dry within 5-24 hours, depending on thickness and on the brand, as each brand has its own pros and cons.

    Will fondant dry out in the fridge? ›

    A refrigerator will dry out the fondant and it will crack. It's best to leave them at room temperature.

    What to do with leftover fondant? ›

    What To Do With Leftover Fondant
    1. CREATE YOUR OWN DIY SPRINKLES.
    2. MAKE MOULDS FOR CAKE DECORATING.
    3. CREATE A MARBLED EFFECT.
    4. COVER YOUR CAKE POPS.
    Aug 19, 2022

    Does fondant go soft in the fridge? ›

    Fondant is sugar and as with all sugars it will attract moisture, with that in mind, I avoid storing anything with fondant in the fridge. A ganache only decorated cake can be stored in the fridge.

    Should you refrigerate fondant covered cake? ›

    Yes! You Can (and Sometimes Should) Refrigerate Your Fondant-Covered Cakes!

    What is the best way to store a fondant covered cake? ›

    It's best to store it in a cardboard cake box with a few ventilation holes. Place the box on the counter in a very cool or air conditioned room, especially if you are experiencing heat or high humidity.

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6413

    Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

    Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

    Birthday: 1993-08-23

    Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

    Phone: +9958996486049

    Job: Sales Manager

    Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

    Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.