I coat my workspace with powdered sugar as I've had so many problems with the fondant sticking, but having looked at loads of pictures of black cakes, and being a bit of a goth myself, and having a divorce coming up in a few weeks, and knowing I'm going to be getting engaged soon after (already have the black diamond ring!!) I'd love to know how to get/keep black fondant black. I buy my stuff ready made so it's not a problem getting it black, just keeping it black. Should I ditch the powdered sugar to roll onto? I thought about using shortening (as I have been doing in my rose spray class) but would it not stick too much for a larger area? Please help! Any hints/tips when working with black to make a striking cake would be appreciated!

You have the right idea with eliminating the powdered sugar. What do you use as a rolling surface? I use either a blue mat from Ateco or a piece of really heavyweight upholstery vinly that I get from Jo-Ann Fabrics. When you buy the plastic don`t let them fold it. Any fold will show up on your finished piece. Prepare your fondant by kneading it until it is pliable. You may need to add some additional shortening to it. I don`t usually need a whole lot of sticking preventative for this method, but if you find that you do only dust with a very very small amount of powdered sugar - you can remove it later. Roll out your fondant on the plastic or mat and use that as the "carrier" for your fondant. Get the cake next to the vinyl and pick it up vinyl and all and drape it over the cake. Peel the vinyl off carefully and it should come away without much trouble. Smooth the fondant as you would normally, being very careful if using plastic or metal fondant smoothers that they do not find a sticky spot and grab the fondant. If you have rough spots that need help, use a piece of the left over fondant as a smoother and rub it out or put one of your smoothers down inside a nylon stocking. Both methods bring great success for me and keep the powdered sugar to a minimum. If you have some sugar residue when you are done, put some vodka or ever-clear in your airbrush and overspray your whole cake. It cleans it right up. Good luck with your project - I hope you post pictures!

i had the same problem with powder and bought a little handheld steamer ($30) and now steam my cakes - no more powder marks!! and so easy.

Pastry brush off the excess powdered sugar, then steam it (if you have one) or you can lightly wipe it down with an ever so slightly damp cloth.

Congrats on the divorce! And the Engagement!! Woo Hoo!!!

I have a table that is about 6 feet long, got it at Target(it folds in half, so it is easy to store,or tuck under a bed...I know walmart has them too) ...it is a heavy plastic and fondnat WILL NOT stick to it..I never use powdered sugar...I roll all of my fondant on there. Yes, you can steam it, and I have also used my airbrusher filled with vodka to mist the fondant. BEST of luck to you!