Just wondering how many people make their own fondant rather than buy it.
I have never made my own (I am in the UK) but just been looking at Utube to see how to make MMF and it looks quite easy but wonder if its cost effective, easier to use, tastes better???
What are your reasons?

I use 2 different recipes one with marshmallows and the other is glucose based. Both are less expensive to make than most of the fondant I am able to buy here in Canada. Purchased fondant is $3.50/lb and up to $15/lb. Homemade is $1.50/lb. It doesn't take very long to make either and I find it relaxing.

I've never had good results with MMF and I've made it several times. It's just not for me. I make Michele Foster's Fondant and I love it. I wouldn't use any other after using hers because it's that good. It is "hands down" the best for taste and workability and it's inexpensive to make.

You can find the recipe here on cc. Go to recipes and type Michele Foster's fondant in the "search" box. I make the white chocolate version 99.9% of the time because the chocolate makes it even more pliable and the taste is absolutely wonderful. I can eat it by the handfuls. The best white chocolate to use is the Baker's white chocolate squares that come in a box. I use the 6 ounce box per recipe.

I've never worked with pre-made fondant. Wilton is the only option in my area unless I order it online and pay a bunch for shipping. I have worked alot with MMF and I find it pretty cost effective. The main ingredients are pretty inexpensive. I made 5 batches to make the wedding cake in my pictures and I had some left for another project.

I keep saying I'm going to make my own, but I keep having these wonderful 50% off coupons for Michaels, so I end up stocking up on more Duff (Fondarific). SInce my Michaels' only carries black, red, white and chocolate, I will be making MFF soon when I need other colors. It's just so darn convenient, though....
PS - I just got two more Joann's 50% off coupons, and will be buying two more tubs @ Michael's this coming week...

I used pre-made the first few times I tried working with fondant, and I think that was a fine way to start, but it's rare for anyone to want to actually eat that stuff. Even the better brands don't really taste GOOD. Having finally tried MMF a few times I will never go back. It tastes so much better and is soooooo much cheaper! (Well, not counting the labor cost of making it, but I am a hobbyist, not a caker-for-pay, and the MMF goes together so fast that I doubt the labor cost is much anyway.) The first time I made MMF it was not as easy to work with as the premade, but now that I've got more experience I am better able to judge how much powdered sugar to use and things like that, and I don't have that problem.

Robin, I've seen your comment that MMF doesn't work for you many times now and I checked out the MFF recipe...and as far as I can tell, it just starts with the exact same ingredients that are in marshmallows! I wonder what the difference is? I have an aversion to working with gelatin so I will stick with the convenience of microwaving marshmallows, thanks.

That is really interesting KayMc that Duff fondant is cost effective. In Canada it is $30 for 2 lbs so even with the 40% off coupon it is $11 per lb. Too expensive for me to even consider trying! How much is it in the US?

i have made MMF but it never comes out right for me. Has lines and cracks in it when rolled out. I will try Michele Foster's fondant and see if works better. Buying SI is easier, but expensive!!

KayMc - I see you mention Duff's is Fondarific - awhile ago I posted a thread asking about Duff's fondant - didn't get much response... One other person replied &mentioned the same thing - how did u find out? I really hate wilton's fondant & don't have SI easily available -would love to have a quick go to fondant but didn't want to waste $ until I knew if others thought it was cake worthy (lol).

Haven't gotten the nerve to try making MMF but thinking I'll give Foster's a try bc I've seen a lot of people are happy with it here on CC.

I started making my own MMF a year ago and will never go back. I had used the Wilton before that and it tasted SO bad and, in retrospect, was SO hard to work with. It costs me about $5 per batch of fondant...the same amount would cost almost $20 if I bought something like Satin Ice. HOWEVER, I will buy SI if I need a lot of red or black. These are just too hard to get the color right with MMF for me. I add flavoring and not only does it taste good but I actually have people coming back and picking at the fondant off the cake to eat after eating their whole slice! So, yes, very cost effective and, for me, really easy to use. The only time I have issues is in high humidity, other wise, piece of cake<G>

If I order it online, it will cost me a bunch for shipping. So, I make my own fondant rather than buy it. It is glucose based and it`s work and taste perfectly every time. For me it is very important that I can adjust the consistency depending of humidity.

Hm looking at how much it would cost ( I can only buy the corn syrup from one particular shop in the uk and it is not cheap) I think the price I am paying of £8 per 2.5kg does not warrant the effort of making it myself.
Maybe I will try it one day when I have a sec, along with all the other things I am going to try one day lol

I would think you could use golden syrup (isn't that the common UK product?) instead of corn syrup.

Golden Syrup

Particularly popular in England (where it's also known as light treacle), this liquid sweetener has the consistency of corn syrup and a clear golden color. It's made from evaporated sugar cane juice and has a rich, toasty flavor unmatched by any other sweetener. Golden syrup, the most readily available brand being Lyle's, can be found in some supermarkets and many gourmet markets. It can be used as a substitute for corn syrup in cooking and baking, and for everything from pancake syrup to ice cream topping.

Oh, and I've always made my own fondant. I just do this for fun, so it's not too much work to make a batch here and there. But I read a post about Fondarific. I ordered their sample pack for $6.00, and got 5 different samples. It just came yesterday so I haven't had a chance to work with it, but it is tasty! I'm in love with the chocolate cherry!

I would have to agree Wilton's Fondant is nasty. I love the flavor of Satin Ice. I think it actually tastes like marshmallows but it is more costly to use. I do like the fact that it is always the same.