Do most of you make your own fondant, for example I see MMF mentioned alot or do you buy premade? If you buy premade what brands do you like to use, if its okay to name them.

I make mine. It is much cheaper and not a whole lot of trouble. However, it works your Kitchenaid pretty hard.

I make my own with the exception of any dark colors like red/black/navy blue. Those I buy. You have to use way too much coloring to get those colors. But I also don't use my KA to make mine. I do it all by hand, like you would bread. I found out that using the KA didn't give me the "feel" I needed to have to know when there was enough powdered sugar kneaded in. So I do that by hand. And, yes, it's miles cheaper than buying and usually tastes miles better too!

Cat

I use Jennifer Dontz's recipe - candy clay and premade fondant. So it is a combo homemake & premade.

I make mmf by hand to cover my cakes. It's cheap and tastes good. Then I make decorations out of wilton store bought fondant. I know it doesn't taste as good, but it gets rock hard. Usually people pick those parts off anyway.

I use Satin Ice. I have tried making my own many times and I just can't get a consistancy that I like.
I LOVE Satin Ice. It is more expensive but it is a for sure when I put it on my cake. HTH

Is the shelf life of fondant that's premade?

I make my own because it's cheaper, and I can avoid the fake vanilla flvaoring sicnce I don't like it.

I make my own (MFF) because it's less expensive and I can control what's in it more so than premade. It doesn't take too long to make it and the best part it's yummy!!

I also make my own with the exception of dark colors - they just don't work out well for me once I add all the coloring you need to.