Yes, you can. And below are recipes for two different kinds of fondant, depending on what your needs are. The first one is used for fillings for chocolate dipped creams. This is the kind used to glaze petit four frais. It can be flavored and colored. Knead then flavor and color as desired, roll out, cut and dip in chocolate or roll and dip in garnishes or in chocolate. It contains two ingredients: sugar and glucose, and requires one thing from you: elbow grease. You have to put in some work for this but it is worth it. The next one is a recipe for rolled fondant. This is the fondant that can be rolled over a large work surface and placed over cakes and fruitcakes. It can be shaped and can be colored. Experiment with the recipes below to see where they lead you...
2 c sugar
2/3 c water
1 T glucose (no substitutions)
Prep: Sprinkle a large slab of marble or a large, heavy, smooth surfaced baking sheet with cold water.
Over medium heat, stir very gently sugar, water and glucose in heavy saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. Increase temperature and bring to boil. Cover pot and boil for three minutes. Remove lid and place in candy thermometer. Continue to boil until the temperature reaches 240°F, soft ball stage. Remove from heat and immediately dip the bottom into cold water to stop cooking. Pour this hot syrup onto the prepared marble and leave to cool for a couple of minutes. Using a damp metal spatula or metal scraper, lift the edges of the syrup and fold back into the center. Keep doing this until the mixture turns glossy, and is pale yellow in color. Then use a heavy wooden spoon to work the mixture in a continous figure eight for about 5 to 10 mintues. Keep doing this action until the mixture turns white, is crumbly and stirring with the spoon is extremely difficult. Moisten hands and knead the fondant for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture feels moist and is perfectly free of lumps. Use the metal scraper to lift the fondant if it sticks to the surface. Form the fondant into a ball and place in on a moistened plate. Cover with damp cloth, and leave it in a cool place for 12 hours to ripen. Dust your work surface with sifted powdered sugar, and place the fondant on that. Press it out flat. If coloring, make slits in the fondant and drop the coloring into those slits. Knead well and use as desired.
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1 1/2 t plain gelatin
1/8 c water
4 c powdered sugar
1/4 c light corn syrup
1 1/2 t glycerine
Vegetable oil, for oiling hands and spatula
Sprinkle gelatin over water in small saucepan. Let sit for 5 minutes, then over low heat stirring frequently, stir to dissolve gelatin. Cover saucepan to keep warm. Place the sugar in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add corn syrup and glycerine; do not mix in. Pour the warmed, dissolved gelatin into the well over the top and mix in with a lightly oiled rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Mix until the dough is too stiff to stir. Because the dough will be very sticky, oil hands with a small amount of oil. Knead dough until of the sugar is incorporated. Transfer to a lightly oiled surface and continue to knead until smooth and satiny. This will be the texture of clay. If the fondant is too dry, add in a few drops of water and if it is too dry, add in a bit of powdered sugar. Shape the fondant into a ball, flatten slightly and wrap well in plastic wrap. Let rest for 20 minutes before rolling and using.
References used:
The first fondant recipe is from my files, written down from an unknown source.
Hirsheimer, Christopher.
Saveur. "Fruitcake Weather: 'Tis the season for a taste of memory,
intimacy, and pure sensual pleasure."
Nov./Dec. issue, 1996. No. 15. P.124.
Copyright © 2005 Beach Cuisine™ Inc and Renee Shelton.