Fondant is a cake decorating material that creates smooth, professional finishes. It can be used to make a variety of decorations on a cake, including intricate ribbons and bows. Grosgrain ribbon comes in a wide variety of colors, and is characterized by the vertical ribs that run along it. A grosgrain ribbon can be attached to a fondant bow using frosting "glue" or large, decorative straight pins. If a cloth ribbon is attached with frosting, the ribbon may be lined with wax paper or plastic tape to prevent color bleeding onto the fondant or oil bleeding into the ribbon. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
1. Prepare the ends of the ribbon. Using a liquid that stops fraying in cloth, paint the ends of the ribbon to eliminate any loose strings on the cake. Purchase a commercial fray-stopping liquid at a craft store, being certain that it is non-toxic and safe for food use, or use clear corn syrup for similar results.
2. Prepare the ribbon. Although fondant does not bleed like other frostings, it is safer to prepare the grosgrain ribbon before applying it to the fondant bow. Cut waxed paper to match the ribbon, then iron the waxed paper onto the back of the ribbon. Contact paper or clear, plastic tape can also be used.
3. Choose between ribbon-attaching methods. For the pinning method, follow step four. For the frosting glue method, follow step five.
4. Attach the ribbon onto the bow. If you choose pinning as the method of attaching the ribbon, start beneath one of the bow loops. Fold the end of the ribbon under, then place the pin through it in an unobtrusive place on the bow and into the cake. Carry the ribbon over the loop, then secure with another pin. Continue until you have covered as much of the fondant bow as you wish.
5. Glue the bow with frosting. Using a melted mix of equal parts fondant/water or a thin, buttercream frosting, carefully paint the frosting onto the fondant bow. Apply only 2 or 3 inches of frosting glue at once, then lay the ribbon on it carefully, smoothing out any wrinkles. Work your way around the bow a few inches at a time until the grosgrain ribbon is everywhere you'd like it to be.
6. Finish the cake. Some bakers like to add a grosgrain tail to the fondant bow once it is covered in ribbon. Also, wrapping the bottom of the cake layer with a single strip of the ribbon creates an elegant finish. This can also be attached with pins or frosting.
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