How to Stick Fondant Decorations to Buttercream
On fresh buttercream, nothing. On crusted buttercream, the tiniest touch of water or edible glue. For heavy pieces, a support, not more glue.
Why the advice disagrees
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Cake Craft School | You can’t use glue or water on buttercream. Use a skewer for figures and a cocktail stick on the sides |
| Rose Bakes | A very small brush of water can work well for fondant on buttercream; use only the tiniest amount |
| Cake Decorist | Fresh buttercream needs nothing. Dried or crusted buttercream needs a small amount of water or edible glue |
They are mostly describing different situations. Fresh buttercream is sticky, so a decoration presses straight in. Once buttercream crusts in the air or firms up in the fridge, its surface is dry and fondant slides off it. And water is the risky part: fondant dissolves when wet, so too much leaves sticky streaks, colour runs and soft, sagging pieces. The more cautious advice is guarding against that.
What to use, and when
| Buttercream | Decoration | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and soft | Light, flat (letters, flowers, discs) | Nothing. Press it on gently |
| Crusted or chilled | Light, flat | The tiniest brush of water or edible glue on the back of the decoration |
| Any | Heavy, thick, or on the side of the cake | A support: cocktail stick or skewer, plus a dab of buttercream |
| Any | Standing figure on top | A skewer through the figure into the cake |
- Put the decoration on the back of your hand or a board, back side up.
- Brush lightly and wait a few seconds. Use a small, barely damp brush. The surface should turn tacky, not shiny or wet.
- Press it on gently and hold it for a moment. Don’t slide it about.
- Put flat pieces on while the buttercream is still fresh where you can. Many decorators coat the cake and decorate straight away for this reason.
Heavy pieces and standing figures
Glue does not hold weight. A thick plaque or a figure on the side of a soft cake will slowly slide down however much glue it has. Support it instead:
- On the side of the cake: Cake Craft School uses a cocktail stick (toothpick). Push it into the decoration while the fondant is soft, then into the cake, angled slightly upwards so the piece rests on it.
- Standing figures: make them ahead so they can firm up, then push a skewer up through the figure and down into the cake.
- Tell whoever cuts the cake how many sticks and skewers are in it, and take them out before serving.
For a lighter alternative to a heavy fondant plaque, a printed edible topper sits flat on the cake and weighs very little. You can design one in the CakeyTops topper maker.
Common problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Decoration slides off | Crusted or chilled surface with nothing on it, or the piece is too heavy | A touch of water or glue; for heavy pieces, a support |
| Sticky streaks or colour bleeding | Too much water | Use a barely damp brush, and let the back turn tacky before pressing |
| Decoration goes soft and droops | Damp fondant, or a warm cake | Make decorations ahead so they firm up; keep the cake cool |
| Fondant stains the buttercream | Very soft buttercream, which Cake Craft School says can mark fondant | Firm the buttercream in the fridge before adding pieces |
Buttercream cakes with dairy fillings still need the fridge, whatever decorations are on top. The UK Food Standards Agency says to keep fridges between 0 and 5°C (32 and 41°F).
How much fondant to buy for covering your cake, by size and shape. Free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need edible glue to stick fondant to buttercream?
Not on fresh buttercream: the decoration sticks on its own. On crusted or chilled buttercream, use the tiniest brush of water or edible glue on the back of the decoration.
Can I use water to stick fondant to buttercream?
A very small amount, yes. Too much dissolves the fondant and leaves sticky streaks, so brush the back lightly and let it turn tacky before pressing it on.
How do I stop fondant decorations sliding down the side of a cake?
Support them with a cocktail stick through the decoration and into the cake. Glue alone does not hold a heavy piece on a vertical side.
When should I put fondant decorations on a buttercream cake?
Flat pieces stick best while the buttercream is fresh. Figures and heavy pieces are best made ahead so they firm up, then added with a support.
Use the tool from this guide
Open the relevant CakeyTops tool and put the advice above to work straight away.
Keep reading
How to Cover a Cake with Fondant: A Beginner Guide
Start with a stable cake, measure the finished height and smooth the fondant in stages without stretching it.
TutorialHow to Make Print-Ready Custom Cake Toppers at Home (No Designer Needed)
A complete step-by-step walkthrough for making professional custom cake toppers at home — no design skills, no expensive software, just your browser and a printer.
GuideHot-Weather Cake Decorating: Keep Buttercream and Toppers Stable
Summer is when cakes slump, buttercream slides, and fondant sweats. Here is how to choose heat-stable frostings, transport a cake safely in the heat, and keep your decorations standing until it is cut.