I have a limited number of surfaces that are large enough in my house to roll out fondant for bigger cakes, and I usually resort to using my dining room table!! I am wondering, what is your favorite surface? I might need to invest in something, because I almost always end up with sticking problems!!!

Thanks in advance

I have a huge silicone mat...think it's the Ateco mat. Thin blue silicone about 2.5x3 ft. Love it!

I use "The Mat" and love it, but I find that after I've laid my fondant on the cake, my smoothing paddle likes to stick b/c there's no cornstarch.

Anyone have a solution?

Hmmm, I never thought of just buying a mat to put on the table!!! Sometimes the really brilliant ideas are just so painfully simple So do you ladies just roll out the fondant directly on the mat- like no PS, cornstarch, or grease, or anything?

I'm pretty sure "The Mat" that jhay is talking about is from Sweet Wise this mat is a vinyl safe mat that is two sides and allows you to roll the fondant out without using corn starch or powdered sugar (its awesome) - I dont believe karateka is talking about the same thing. Check out youtube "sweet wise"- they have a ton of helpful videos.

jhay, i have the same exact problem- i've just been resorting to using my hands as much as i can, then i take a bit of the powdered sugar and rub the cake (very lightly) when I am ready to use the paddle.

I use the crappy Wilton one. It moves and slides and sticks. I need one the will stay put and lay flat. Any ideas? I also have the same problem as jhay.

I like the blue Ateco mat as well, also (and I know some will disagree) the Wilton mat is really inexpensive and works pretty well (only $9.99 plus you can find 40% coupons for AC Moore, Michael, etc.). For either, just spread a bit of shortening over the mat so the fondant doesn't stick. If it isn't rolling easily you know you need more crisco.

I use Sweetwise's "The Mat". I've also used Wilton's. I wet the bottom of the mat and the table or counter- not a lot. Just enough to make it stick.

When I need to use my paddle, I dust it well with powdered sugar.

Yes, I have the mat made by Sweet Wise. I love it all except for that and one other little issue. I love how thin I can get my fondant, I love that I can add extra if I didn't roll enough to begin with, I love how it keeps my fondant moist, but it stinks that I have to use cornstarch in order to use my paddle and get sharp edges. This is supposed to eliminate the need for that, I thought. I also seem to get more bubbles with it, especially on the top of the cake. B/c it's so tacky, I have a hard time repositioning it after I've placed it on the cake to get the bubbles out. I hate poking all kinds of holes in my fondant. Oh well, guess it just takes some more practice! .

I don't usually rant like that...Sorry! LOL, that's just been bugging me lately.

You guys are so helpful, as always! Thanks

I use freezer paper - I tape it to my work surface (either kitchen counter, more often, dining room table) and use either PS or shortening, depending on how soft or firm my MMF is. Sometimes I'll sandwich the fondant between two sheets of the freezer paper, if I feel like it. Love the freezer paper and it's great for lining the work surface during the rest of the baking and decorating process too. And it's inexpensive even from the grocery store...sorry, I have a bit of a crush on my freezer paper!

I use the stainless steel table, but before that I used my granite countertop.

I have the Ateco fondant mat - white with blue border and measurement markings. It's fiber reinforced. Others commented that the fiber reinforcement embedded in the mat would transfer a pattern to the fondant.... but I've had no problems with this. It merely stabilizes the mat and keeps it from distorting and/or stretching during the rolling process. I also use a very large aluminum rolling pin with my mat. I don't know what I'd do without either of these favorites.

I'm using "The Mat" from Sweet Wise to roll my fondant and cover my cake. And using the blue Ateco mat when I'm working with small amount fondat or gumpaste while decorating. Because I live in small apartment and use my dining table (wood) as my work table. The Mat and Ateco Mat really help me and keep my table clean

I have friends that have gone to stores that make granite counter tops, sometimes there are mis matched pieces or left overs that are the perfect size to place on the table and work on . it's great having a surface just for rolling on !

I use a stainless steel table.

I have the Ateco mat (2.5x3ft) and I put down a small amount of powdered sugar on it before rolling out my fondant. The fondant seems to roll out much easier than when I used to use crisco on the mat. I also have a silicone coated metal rolling pin (from King Arthur) and love it! I would not roll out fondant without these two tools.

~Chelle