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My baby turned 2 recently! How did that happen? I wanted to make her a flower cake with fondant but wanted some that wasn’t pricey and tasted good. I found a great recipe for homemade marshmallow fondant from Cake Journal here. And it really does taste yummy!
I separated the melted marshmallows into two different bowls and made half of the fondant brown and half pink. I’ll admit, I had a bit of a panic attack while kneading it because it was so sticky at first. I learned to mix the second color a lot more in the bowl with the powdered sugar (icing sugar) with much better results, minus the panicky feeling!
When it was no longer sticky, I rolled the fondant out and cut out the flower shapes. Then I just randomly placed them onto the icing. I used the end of a straw to make round centers and then placed them in the middle of the flowers.
For the cake, I made a white cake and split the batter in half into two separate bowls. I dyed one brown using cocoa and the other pink by adding one drop of red food coloring. I greased two round cake pans and poured the brown batter into the pan first. Then I dribbled the pink batter around the chocolate batter so that it was marbelized.
I baked the cakes at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. After they had cooled completely, I placed one cake on the cake stand and covered the top of it with home-made buttercream frosting and then added the second cake layer. I added a thin layer of frosting over the entire cake (crumb layer) and then placed into the freezer. After a half an hour, I took the cake out and completely frosted the cake.
To make the frosting smooth, I took a flat spatula and a glass of HOT water. I went over the frosting layer very gently and each time placed the spatula in the hot water and rinsed it clean. Do this over the entire cake. Now it is ready to place the fondant shapes onto the cake.
You can do any shapes or theme you like. I love how versatile this is for boys and girls of any age!
You can also coordinate wrapping paper and boxes to match your cake as well. I buy white wrapping paper from the Dollar Tree and then wrap my gifts with it. Then I paint or cut and paste round polka dots or shapes to match my cakes or birthday theme! A cheap but cute alternative!
**Edit–Here is my recipe for Buttercream Frosting:
1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
1/2 cup shortening (I use Crisco Butter Flavor)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
5 Tbsp. Milk
5 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar (Icing Sugar)
Mix together butter, shortening and vanilla. Alternate between adding milk and cups of sugar. Whip together well until a smooth consistency. Add more of less sugar and milk to get your desired consistency! I usually just add sugar without measuring. I don’t usually add all 5 1/2 cups.
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Melissa says
I Love this! I have been wanting to try marshmallow fondant but have been a bit afraid. I think that I can do it now. And I like the idea of changing up white wrapping paper. Otherwise I can spend too much on the wrapping! Thanks for the great ideas!
How great! I always wondered if fondant tasted any good. I think I'll try something similiar for my sons upcoming 2nd birthday. Thanks for sharing! Either you must get up early or stay up late … it's 9am here (Germany). I'm thinking you must be on the west coast? :o)
My boy just turned 3 and I really wanted to do Lightning McQueen, but buying fondant was NOT an option. Wish I had known about this before! Cake looks great!! Thanks for the tips- esp about the spatula- good trick. Maybe I'll have to invest in some cookie cutters now!
Looks great! A hint for next time…I am not sure if you have a Kitchen Aid mixer, but if you do you can almost entirely mix it in that avoiding the sticky mess.
My baby started kindergarten! How does the time go so darn fast??
BTW…I received my fabric key chain and I am totally smitten with it. My friends have key chain envy. Thanks!
The store bought fondant is the worst! Do you have a good buttercream icing recipe you'd be willing to share? The one I use isn't my favorite and all the ones I have found on the internet taste about the same.
Hi Amy, I just found your blog and LOVE it! I became a follower, and look forward to reading your posts. Stop on over for a visit!
Blessings,
Cara
Pleeeease tell me you saved me a piece!!! I'm in need of some of that!
Thank you sharing this idea. My kids (big Food network fans…especially the cake competition shows) have been after me to find fondant for them to try. Your idea is definitely easier and even fun. Thank you!
I LOVE that you get a little panicky about stickiness….. I do too :)…. Especially when we're making homemade playdough…. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog……
Have a blessed weekend!
Britney
I got drafted to make the 100th day of school cake for my daughter's school and I just may use your ideas. :) the cake looks great – and really yummy too! :)
What a pretty cake! I have never tried making fondant, this makes me want to give it a try.
Love your Blog. . .such great ideas :-)
When there are only two in the house this would be a disater to leave in the cake tin…i would want to eat it all…yummo!!!!
What a great cake!!! Looks so yummy too!! I have never used fondant before. I've always wanted to try after watching those cake shows though.