hi, i been look at all the beautiful cakes on here, and i dont see any fondant or mmf cakes with powder all over them. i ve done three cakes with mmf and everytime they always have left over cornstartch all over and just looks messy. i ve bought a brush and brushed the cakes quite good but still no flawless finish . can anyone help what can i do.

I don't use cornstarch for that very reason. I usually grease my hands, tools & work area with shortening (Crisco) and that works well for me.

Yes, do not use cornstarch... It's very drying and will leave a residue. Only use powdered sugar when working with fondant.

I also only use a little bit of Crisco. It doesn't dry out at all and there is never a powdery residue.

I use icing sugar to roll out. Although it does look patchy to start with after an hour or two the residue disapears

I don't use icing sugar or crisco, I have a non stick pastry sheet, that the fondant doesn't stick to.

Fran

I only use pure icing sugar to stop sticking and I make a mess all over my cakes, but use clear alcohol on a paintbrush to clean my cakes up.

Franjmc, could you tell me which type of nonstick mat you have and how well it works. I bought one from Redwave but my fondant still sticks to it and I have read of a couple that say no icing sugar is needed, but I wonder which one is best?

I've had good luck with using a little crisco on my work surface. But, I've only made a couple of fondant covered cakes so far.

Franjmc - I'd be interested in which brand nonstick mat you use as well. I've seen several and have been thinking about buying one.

I roll out my fondant between two sheets of vinyl (buy cheaply by the yard at Walmart). No powdered sugar or cornstarch needed, plus, the vinyl gives a really nice finish to the surface. I do put a very thin - almost invisible - coating of Crisco on the vinyl.

thanks everyone you,ve all been very healpful