What is Fondant?

Fondant is a sweet itself and is also used as an icing or filling. It's made from sugar, water and cream of tartar or liquid glucose, which are boiled together until the syrup reaches what is called soft ball stage (when a spoonful of the sugar syrup is dropped into a bowl of cold water it will form a soft ball when rolled between the fingers).

The mixture is kneaded into a smooth dough and then colourings or flavours such as peppermint, lemon or coffee, can be added. It can be rolled into shapes to make sweets or used warm and poured into moulds then coated in melted chocolate. It's often used as an icing or coating for small fruits and is used to ice or decorate cakes.

Fondant can also refer to fondant potatoes - these are potatoes that are sliced and layered in a pan with butter, then sautéed over a fairly high heat so they have a crisp outside and a meltingly soft centre.