What I learnt about Fondant with Appliances Online

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Last week I had my first proper daytime outing since having Willow, on my own! I know, it's taken me long enough. I've had times where I had ducked down to the shops, or gone out at night, but this is the first time in 5 whole months that I left both my kids with their Nan for half a day. And, it was glorious. Just to get the chance to do something fun and not have to worry about changing nappies, hungry babies or finding dummies. I could carry a small purse and I was free to do as I pleased! That alone made for a great morning.

So, with my little taste of freedom, what did I do?




Well I learnt how to decorate cakes! Specifically how to make cool stuff out of fondant! Thanks to Appliances Online who held a really fun (and informative) Cake Decorating class for a group of bloggers at Cupid's Delight in Hamilton Hill, as a part of their 8th Birthday Celebrations! (I'm just blogging about it because I want to, it isn't a sponsored post or expected of me)

I have always been a little scared of trying to use fondant, it seemed way too difficult, and so I have stuck to buttercream icing for the whole TWO kids birthday cakes I have ever made. But, what I discovered last week is that fondant is actually remarkably similar to Play-Doh, which I have become very familiar with of late, although it dries out a whole lot quicker!

Yes, this is a cake, and yes.. we made it (well the decorative part anyway)

What I learnt about Fondant

- Buy it pre-made thats what the pro's do, don't try to make it at home
- When you roll it out don't press too hard or it will stick to the table, do a couple of rolls and then turn it 90 degrees and continue like that.
- You can use icing sugar to stop it from sticking to the table
- Seal it in a zip lock bag when you aren't using it otherwise it will dry out
- Use the palm of your hand to mould and shape it, get your fingers out of the way
- You can make a little edible glue out of xanthan gum and water to stick it all together, but don't put too much on because that will be a disaster.
-the heat of my car will melt the crap out of my little fondant Santa man :(

Then, to top off my care free, kid free morning, they gave me an awesome Breville Juicer!! What... well Merry Christmas me!! Yay, now I have no excuse not to get on the green juicing bandwagon! But, I probably will find one, an excuse that is!

I've been perusing through the appliances online website a lot lately, as a self-professed online shopper and brick and mortar store avoider, Appliances Online is my go-to website for all things appliance related! There are a couple of things like a Dishwasher and new Washing Machine that I have been eyeing off for our new house, and I know that they always seem to have the best prices, and free delivery all the way to Margaret River as well, so even us Mandurah folk don't miss out like usual!
Annaleis learning from the pro,  Julia how to get that fondant right!
As a part of their 8th Birthday Celebrations Appliances Online are also giving away 8 Sunbeam Food processors RRP $399, and all you have to do is bake an appliance themed cake and take some pictures!
So, even if you don't win, you still win, because you have CAKE!! I Love The CAKE!

Find out all the details on their WEBSITE but HURRY because it finishes on the 8th of December! 

Photo care of the lovely Feli from My Life in Mono
My Santa fell off the roof, one too many glasses of milk I think!
Also a cake, and such a sweet looking toaster! 

21 comments on "What I learnt about Fondant with Appliances Online"
  1. Fondant is just the best stuff ever isn't it? I discovered it about two years ago and couldn't believe that I had made so many cakes without it

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's soooo good!!! I'm not sure why I was so scared of it before. I'm a lite bit excited about trying to make a birthday cake next year with it!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Glad you had a nice morning. I did look very serious. Was truly afraid my crappy red circle would spoil the whole cake. We did a great job.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ugh - first time without babies in 5 months...! that isn't making want a bub anytime soon.. although the baby at the event did make me clucky!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, first half day trip! But, what can I say, they are too cute, its hard to leave them behind!!! x

    ReplyDelete
  6. You were concentrating fairly hard!! We did do a great job, go us!! x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh man, the amount of nights I have been staying up past 1am (like tonight!) to get stuff done on the blog lately is ridiculous. But it's the best time of day for me as there are no interruptions whatsoever, as generally once the girls are asleep they are asleep till at least 6am. I am in the process of accepting more sponsored content as a way to make a bit of extra cash and avoid going back to 'proper' employment and extend my maternity leave. It's not easy but I enjoy it, and if it keeps me out of the office for a little bit longer then late nights it is. We'll jus pretend my house doesn't look like a bomb hit it though, shall we!

    ReplyDelete
  8. As a very busy working mother of two I'm always struggling with finding the time to blog. You do have to prioritise, get organised and decide just how committed you really are. Even harder at this time of year with so much else on, too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It really is true, you somehow manage to sneak ... er, FIND, the time for the things you really love :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I get the kids to bed, cook dinner, eat it with my husband, then instead of sitting on the couch, I get back behind the computer and write, whether it's an article, a blog post, work or even just recording something my kids did that day. Even when it's work, it feels like down time, so it's okay.

    Except on Monday nights. Homeland then Blue Bloods. Can't ignore it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm on the computer now, once kids in bed, but I feel I spent less time with hubby than used to and he's commented on it - it's all about balance. But I love blogging so it's hard

    ReplyDelete
  12. I could have written this post. I am on the computer in the evenings, not talking to my partner. I never watch TV any more only have time for blogging I am addicted. I am loving the escape. He is getting sick of seeing me on the computer and I feel guilty for it but try to leave weekends blog free.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I possibly put Call The Midwife on the top of my 'to do' list, it is so great! Often I watch it with my Mum and my Nanna, we all are obsessed! x

    ReplyDelete
  14. The night time hours go so, so fast, its a conspiracy I tell you! And true, blogging can often be put on the back burner still for Call The Midwife! x

    ReplyDelete
  15. It is a balance, and sometimes it feels like a really hard balancing act! I always joke that I can sleep when I'm dead, but then I walk around like a tired zombie half the day! x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, baby Zee goes through to 6 am too!! Lucky Mama! late nights are a great alternative to day jobs!! Don't worry I'm pretty sure an ACTUAL bomb did hit my house today! eeek x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Yes! I find I have to be purposeful or months go by and I haven't achieved anything! x

    ReplyDelete
  18. I can imagine adding work to the mix would make it even harder! You are committed! But it is worth it!! And this time of year is just nuts! I just want to nap every time the kids do! x

    ReplyDelete
  19. ha there are some shows that just can be ignored! x

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have had a few weeks away from blog reading because I just had too much going on and man did I miss it. Back to the usual program now which is blogging myself in the morning and then I spend 2-3 nights reading after the kids are in bed and the hubby and I are sitting on the couch xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. My blog is my me time too. I struggle to find the time to blog with a new baby so I put my laptop on the couch and I multi-task. Usually I am writing with one hand while she naps on me. Then I stay up too late at night working on post ideas.

    ReplyDelete