Just got an order for this weekend. The customer really wanted it covered in fondant, but just called me back and said she found out the guest of honor cannot eat gelatin. I guess its a religious thing? She said the family would be really opposed to it.

Is it possible to make fondant without gelatin? What purpose does gelatin serve? Is there a substitute ingrediant I could use? I usually use MMF but MM's have gelatin. My other option is Michelle Fosters but, alas, gelatin as well. Ideas guys?

Alot of vegeterians won't eat gelatin either. I'd say look for a vegan recipe. There is a product out there that is like gelatin for vegans, I think it is agar agar or agur agur, but don't quote me on that.

I think the gelatin would be something that you would have to have, since all homemade recipes have gelatin or MMs (which does have it in them).

So does that mean that the store bought fondant (ie Satin Ice) has gelatin in it as well? I was just approached by someone that asked me that very same thing, and did not know- TIA

I did a littl research and yes, I saw a source that mentioned using agar agar in place of gelatin. Has anyone done this? Do you use the same amount of agar agar as you would gelatin? Do you dissolve it just like gelatin?

Im looking up health food stores now to see if they have it. I figure that's where Id probably find it.

Jenn, I would say yes it does have it in it, but you want to contact Satin Ice to be sure.

Maybe we have someone on the board that has used Agar agar, or you can try finding a vegan website and asking???

Hi, I don't eat gelatin so I am always careful about that ingredient. Satin Ice don't have any gelatin. If you want to make your own (I do) I substitute gelatin with fruit pectin. But I have only found ONE brand that is successful for me and it is called Pomona. I buy it at Whole Foods. It takes much longer to dissolve in cold water than gelatin but would other wise work the same in the recipe. 1 Tablespoon of gelatin = 1 teaspoon of Pomona fruit pectin. (I make the Wilton recipe for fondant but they are all basically the same). I have once tried other brands but the fondant has not been good and teared, except the Pomona brand.

Wilton's fondant is vegan too.

Reading the ingredients of the commercial fondants, I've noticed they seem to have gums instead of gelatin...wilton and satin ice both have gum trag. I wonder if using a little tylose would add the stretch that gelatin does. I don't think you'd substitute equal amounts because it's much thicker than gelatin when mixed with water.

Hi , I use satin ice for this reason alone .But if your customer is Muslim or Jewish ,you might ask them and use Kosher MM or kosher gelatin to make your fondant.

Tylose & gum trag are very different. The gum trag will give you the stretch without making it dry out too fast. Tylose will lead to more rapid drying and cracking. The 2 are NOT interchangeable.

Rae

Well, I just went to the Satin Ice web page for Canada, and they say right there "Certified Kosher Pareve". But I know that you can get Kosher gelatin that is still made with animal, so for a Muslim, this would not work. Call the company and find out! Inquiring minds want to know!!!!

Thank you guys. Im not interested in buying my fondant. I never have and probably never will. I just dont like the taste of it. Im really hoping someone out there substituted the agar in a normal fondant recipe. Or Pectin. If anyone has substituted pectin do you just pretty much do it the same way as the gelatin? Ive never used pectin. Is it a powder?

I just had a thought!!!!

Rolled Buttercream?

What do you think??? Ive never used it before though, so I have no clue what its like or how it handles.

The cake is a large 3D ladybug, so I would need to be able to color it red and black. It would need to be able to cover a round-ish cake and cut some spots.


What do you think, would it work? Does it handle similar to fondant? Does it dry? Does it taste just like buttercream? Wow. I just got kind of excited here. I hope you guys tell me this will work.

My rolled buttercream recipe has no gelatin in it.


Rolled Buttercream Icing
Ingredients
Ingredients:
1 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
2 pounds confectioners’ (powdered) sugar (7 8 cups)
1/2 teaspoon popcorn salt (fine grain salt)

Instructions
Directions:


Place shortening and corn syrup in mixing bowl and beat until creamy. Add flavorings and salt. Beat until blended. Add confectioners’ sugar and blend thoroughly. The mixture will be very stiff. Place icing on work surface and knead until smooth and well blended.

Storage
Store icing in sealed plastic bag then place bag in airtight container. Icing can be refrigerated for several weeks or frozen for several months.

Additional Information:
Bring to room temperature before using.
* I add more confectioners sugar.So Keep Kneading!!
** Of course add the color paste you desire!

I would think agar-agar would be a good substitute but I'm not sure about the quantity. Another option would be guar gum.
Please post your success story and the recipe after you have tried it.

Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme has the following ingredients, no gelatin:

Corn Syrup, Sugar, Water, Egg Whites, Artificial Flavor, Cream of Tartar, Xanthan Gum, Artificial Color (Contains Blue 1).

Recipe for Marshmallow Creme fondant:

http://cakecentral.com/recipes/2148/easy-marshmallow-fondant

HTH.

Regarding the rolled buttercream...I could be wrong but I believe I have heard that it is quite soft and stretchy and difficult to cover a cake with. I've used it with great results for cookies, though. Just my two cents.

If your client needs it to be kosher, one option I just thought of is buying Marshmallows made with gelatin from fish. They sell it at health food stores. One brand that I know of is called Elyon and it says on the bag that it is kosher. Only the bag is 7 oz so they are a little smaller. If you need the fondant to be free of any gelatin at all, I would recommend using pectin (the Pomona I told you about). I use it all the time.

'Certified Kosher Pareve' means that that the product is 'neutral': no meat and no dairy, hence, no gelatin.

kosher gelatin is derived from fish. Just look for any brand that's kosher. Satin Ice, Wilton, Mills Lane (creative cutters) all are animal gelatin free. There are many others, but those 3 come to mind.