Fondant

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈfɒndənt/

Definitions

1. A sweet, creamy substance created by dissolving sugar in water, often utilized in the preparation of various confections and pastries
2. A sugary mixture that forms a smooth, pliable candy used extensively in baking and dessert decoration
3. A soft and smooth mixture of sugar and water, often used for coating or making candies and cake decorations

Etymology: The sweet's name is a French word meaning "melting," and that is exactly what it was designed to do in the mouth. Fondant is a soft, creamy sugar preparation made by cooking sugar syrup and then beating it until it turns smooth and opaque. The French past participle "fondant" comes from the verb "fondre," "to melt," which descends from Latin "fundere," meaning the same thing, a link that also gives English words like "fuse" and "foundry" their melting-and-pouring sense. English borrowed the word in the 19th century without changing its spelling or pronunciation, so it kept its French sound and identity. Over time it came to name two things at once: the candy itself, and the rolled sugar sheets used to cover cakes and to sculpt flowers and ribbons for decorating them.

Synonyms: icing, frosting