So I am thinking of buying The Mat that is made by Sweetwise Inc. I've watched the YouTube more than a dz times and it looks fairly simple. I hate using cornstarch..I know most of you love and swear by it so I won't even go into my cornstarch rant.......
Anyway.....has anyone tried the Mat and do you find it easy to work with and worth spending $ on??? I have the Wilton mat and really enjoy that but thinking The Sweetwise Mat seems better?!?!
TY
Love mine - definitely worth the money. I don't know what the Wilton mat equivalent would be because this is two mats and you roll the fondant between. I don't use any sugar or cornstarch which is helpful because I'm in the mountains where things tend to dry out quickly (read- elephant skin) anyway. It is also really great at transferring the fondant to cakes easily -- especially for large cakes. I originally thought I'd only use it for my bigger cakes, but now I just use it for all of them because it's easier. It does take a few uses to break it in though.
i bought one and it really wasn't worth it. But who knows... maybe i was using it wrong or my house was too humid I tried to use it multiple times and i just couldn't get the hang of it. But i do still like to use it when i decorate. I lay it under my area so I have less clean up
I will say this...if you purchase "the mat", when you put on your shortening, use very little. If you use too much, you fondant will stick to it and won't roll out well. Your best bet is to apply the shortening and then wipe it off with a paper towel. I think you will love it once you learn how to use it. Also, I stop occasionally and lift the fondant to make sure it isn't sticking. Fantastic for transferring fondant to your cake...no rips or tears. You can also roll it thinner, so you use less fondant.
I haven't tried the mat, but recently tried the freezer paper trick & "wow"....so simple, no greasing required, smooth results with the paper peeling off beautifully. I definitely recommend this trick. Costs just pennies and well worth it.
sorry.....I was assuming it was common knowledge. Basically, you just roll out your fondant on the shiny side of the freezer paper. It won't stick but will allow you to roll it out as thinly as you want it. You then use the paper to transfer the fondant to the cake & "voila"! As I stated, I just started using that technique and it's wonderful! Cheap and very very effective. HTH
THANKS for the Mat feedback!!! I'm def gonna order it tonight LOL
@ Creativebakes - I obviously don't have my mat to give advice yet but when you watch the YouTube video the mat never ripples. It's made of a durable material that seems to stay put pretty well. Check out the video
I've not heard of the freezer method either, sound good but doesn't the paper wrinkle and leave marks in the fondant??
That sounds like that could happen, when I use parchment to roll cookies, that happens if not careful. But certainly worth a try. Thanks for the tip.
i never thought about the whole freezer paper thing...hmmm...ill have to try it but i still am pretty sure im gonna order the mat...
I was in Nashville and bought The Mat at Sweetwise for my daughter for Christmas. We tried it out on Christmas afternoon and she loved it! It is a real time saver. We rubbed it with shortening and then wiped it off with a paper towel and it worked great.
I haven't bought the mat but, have taken some classes with Nick Lodge and he advises this; 1) If you are rolling the fondant and need it to cover a large area wipe a mat (Wilton or otherwise)with some shortening. Don't cake it on and you really should not see it all white on your mat, it should be shiny only. 2) If you are rolling out for a small area use corn starch and roll on it. I follow his suggestions and never have a problem. I also pick the fondant up by pulling the mat, side nearest to me, toward me and then pick it up in the air and use this to guide it onto the cake I plan to cover. I then peel off an edge and the rest of it falls off the mat. I use Wilton mats whether it is the cake dividing one or the roll and cut on.
Hope this helps you and congratulations on getting "The Mat".
evelyn
I bought a piece of that vinyl/plastic from the material store. I don't put another piece on top. I just roll without using any additional corn starch or shortening. I won't roll out fondant without it. At my bakery job, we have a sheeter, so we slide the plastic through the sheeter with the fondant on it. THAT will spoil you real quick!
i'm very new to fondant and i love mine! it worked great for covering my daughter's birthday cake
I'm still trying to get used to my Mat. There's definitely a learning curve. I have trouble knowing when the fondant is too thin because it looks thicker between the mat pieces than it actually is. Just need more practice
I got mine for Christmas too. I can't wait to try it. If any of you are ever in the Nville area, the people at Sweetwise are super nice and helpful.
Christy
Evelyn those are super helpful tips, thank you tons!!
You are so welcome
evelyn
I love my mat!!
And cake grandma, I love your name. My 4 yr old grandson calls me grandmacakes!!!
THANKS for the Mat feedback!!! I'm def gonna order it tonight LOL
@ Creativebakes - I obviously don't have my mat to give advice yet but when you watch the YouTube video the mat never ripples. It's made of a durable material that seems to stay put pretty well. Check out the video
I've not heard of the freezer method either, sound good but doesn't the paper wrinkle and leave marks in the fondant??
It doesn't wrinkle or crease if you tape it down before using it. I use standard masking tape and it works like a charm. I just finished doing a very large cake today and used the freezer paper trick; end result was flawless....freezer paper is way cheaper I'm sure....& it can be re-used several times if you wipe it down and store it properly. I'm a freezer paper convert
After shipping I spent $25.
It works as well as you know how to get stuff done.
I love it.
Not on the list to purchase for friends and family.
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