Wedding cake... which is better, buttercream or fondant?

Question

To me, the buttercream sounds good but I don't know. I've never tasted fodant. Which is tastier? And is there any price difference between the two?

Answer 1

Buttercream, hands down.

Most people hate the taste and texture of fondant (it's like eating a vanilla tootsie roll) but they love the look. However it is very labor intensive so many bakers charge quite a bit extra for it.

Alot of people are hesitant to use buttercream, even though it tastes better and doesn't have the weird texture, because they don't trust their baker's abilities. Any good baker worth their salt can make buttercream look nice and not something out of the 80s.

Do a taste test with a variety of bakers before you make a decision on anything. Never commit to anything, especially food, without tasting it first.

Why spend money for something that is pretty but doesn't taste good and your guests don't eat it? Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to have a tasty and pretty cake at the same time.

Answer 2

Buttercream is wonderful, but there are some brands of fondant that taste all right too. Some bakers mix flavorings into the fondant to make them taste better. I make my own fondant using marshmallows, and I've always surprised people with how good it tastes (like Easter candy).
There are also other types of icings that can be used too, like Italian Meringue or White Chocolate Ganache (which gives a nice white shiny finish).
And yes, fondant can cost between 20-50% more depending upon who does your cake, and what kind of design you choose. It can be a lot of work.

Answer 3

The buttercream frosting tastes really good...but the fondant makes the cake looke better. Another good option (we did this for my sisters wedding) is to have a buttercream frosting and a white chocolate overlay. It makes the cake look like it does with fondant...but tastes sooo much better. Hope this helps! :)

Answer 4

Go with the Buttercream. It has a richer taste than Fondant. But give fondant a try and see which one you like better.

Answer 5

Fondant looks great, but usually doesn't taste great. Only do fondant if you taste it before (and it doesn't taste like rubber) and the person making the cake knows what they're doing. I have only found ONE place that can make a good tasting fondant. It is Gateaux Inc. in Minneapolis. http://www.gateaux-inc.com/ If you're in that area def check it out. Otherwise you'd be better off w/buttercream.

Answer 6

Girl,
Go with the buttercream! For my sisters wedding she had fondant and well let me just say this...CHOSE THE BUTTERCREAM!
Fondant is most likely more expensive because all the rich and snobby people love chosen the gross cakes so there is another reason to chose buttercream!

Answer 7

If you want to eat the cake you have to go for buttercream. Fondant is only used for those smooth, artsy cakes. I would highly recommend French buttercream! It's sweet without that grainy sugar cruch that hurts your teeth. People are still talking about our cake.

Answer 8

I'm getting married this summer and our cake lady made us a cake with buttercream- and it was epic! The fodant cakes are the ones that are all smooth and look great but taste like hell. Do the buttercream and have your cake person do cool squiggly cake lins with the buttercream- it'll taste alot better

Answer 9

Definitely buttercream. Probably fondant is more expensive, however the biggest reason to not go with it is its lack of taste; it's just pretty to decorate with.

Answer 10

Honestly fondant isn't the tastiest thing in the world, but you can do some amazing stuff with it. It also gives the smoothest finish to the cake. Butter cream is much tastier. It's kind of a preference of looks vs taste.