1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
4 tablespoons cold water
set in a simmering sauce pan to dissolve (i guess microwave could work too)
then melt in
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
then add
1/2 glucose (or white corn syrup)
i tablespoon clear vanilla extract
then grease a large bowl and fill in
7 cups confectioner's sugar ( 840g/ 1 lb 14 oz)
Make well in centre of sugar and pour liquid mixture . stir slowly to incorporate. remove from the bowl and knead on board dusted with confectioner's sugar untill smooth. cover with plastic wrap.
if use immediately, knead in some corn starch to stiffen.
HINT: if you want to color the fondant, put food coloring in the liquid mixture before adding sugar.
This recipe make enough to cover a 6*4 & a 8*4 cakes.