How to Make Fondant Icing Shiny

By itself, fondant has a matte texture, but you may want to add an extra pop to your decorations with a bit of shine. Luckily, there are several different ways to glaze your fondant to get a perfect satin shine, from mixing up your own gloss to using a pre-made product. Check out our recommended methods to make fondant icing shiny below.

Method 1: Eggs whites

Eggs whites are a great way to make your fondant glossy, and they usually dry within 2 hours if you need a quick shiny fix. Simply brush the egg whites onto the fondant with a food-safe paintbrush and let it dry, although be wary this method may leave brushstroke marks.

Method 2: Alcohol and corn syrup

Make a mixture of 1 part vodka and 1 part corn syrup. Use a food-safe brush to paint this onto your fondant in a very thin layer, so it has a better chance of drying well. Leave to dry overnight for the best results. This method is great for a high gloss finish. If you don’t have any corn syrup, just use vodka - it will dry faster, but the shine will also fade faster.

Method 3: Vegetable shortening

Vegetable shortening, or vegetable fat is a solid white fat that’s great for making fondant icing shiny in a pinch. We recommend rubbing it straight onto the fondant surface with your hands. Be warned though, shortening doesn’t dry and the shine fades quickly, so it isn’t our preferred method.

Method 4: Confectioner’s glaze

Confectioner’s glaze is the easiest product to use to give your fondant a pearly shine. Usually the glaze comes in a ready-to-use spray can, which makes application quick and easy, especially on larger cakes. We recommend putting some parchment paper down on your countertop before spraying to help keep mess to a minimum.