Fondant is usually bought in ready-to-roll blocks, which you roll out and smooth over your cake using dry hands or an icing smoother. It is available in many colours or you can colour it using ...

If you would like to cover the cake with ready-to-roll fondant icing, dust a work surface with cornflour. Knead a dash of food colouring, if using, into the fondant until evenly coloured.