Since I still haven't found the perfect fondant recipe I'm going to try liz mareks recipe as I've read people like it!

my questions are-

1. the wilton fondant I bought is 24oz (1.5lb) should I just use it all, or should I try to take off 1/4lb ish ? not sure if the 1.25lb needs to be exact

2. does it matter which shortening I use? is it ok to use the palm oil kind of shortening, i know it's probably softer than crisco

3. Do you always use the machine with dough hook to mix? my kitchen aid stand mixer is old and I'm a little concerned this job could finish it off ... just seems it will be a stiff dough to be mixing up. Is it hard on the machine?

thanks everyone!

1. the wilton fondant I bought is 24oz (1.5lb) should I just use it all, or should I try to take off 1/4lb ish ? not sure if the 1.25lb needs to be exact

Again I agree w/Sandra:)  Wilton fondant isn't that bad when you add flavoring to it.  I just put a bit on a ball of fondant, work/knead it in then add more until I can smell it in the fondant.  Don't actually measure.  I prefere to roll my fondant out on shortening so the palm oil stuff should work just fine.  Just smear a bit on your rolling surface, then wipe lightly w/a paper towel before you start.  I cannot have palm oil (allergy) - never use the stuff so can't say how it will work in a recipe. 

Thanks guys!! I'm afraid it's going to have to be palm shortening beca the only store on the way to my train was Whole Foods and they only had palm shortening !!

hopefully it will be ok!

I'll begin the mixing with the kitchen aid and if it sounds like it's about to crap out I will finish kneading by hand :)

Thanks all- I loved this fondant! I think I've found my fondant recipe, the humidity was 80% today and I was worried but the fondant was easy to make and work with, very pleased to have found this recipe 

It is the recipe I always use, @Coffeelover77 ‍, and have never had a problem.  I have friends who also add white chocolate, but I haven't tried it.  You can also make chocolate fondant by substituting cocoa for some of the powdered sugar.