Marshmallow fondant

I like fondant cakes. I like that they can look so elegant and smooth or cute and funky depending on how you decorate them. However I don't particularly like the taste of fondant or how expensive it can be if you buy it at the store pre-made. Here's a fun cheap alternative and it actually tastes pretty good (especially if you use a yummy buttercream frosting underneath.)

Marshmallow fondant




16 ounces white mini marshmallows (USE A GOOD BRAND)
2-5 Tbsp water
2 lbs powdered sugar (Again, use a good brand like C&H cane)
1/2 cup crisco shortening (put this in an easily accessible place because you will be dipping into it often)

Note: the mini marshmallows don't come in a 16oz bag. I doubled the recipe and just used 2 bags and it was about perfect. I used the same batch for my daughter at the first of the month and my son at the end of the month. It was perfect still.


PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE IT CAN GET VERY HOT! ANY KIND OF HEATED SUGAR CAN GET VERY HOT!

Melt marshmallows and the 2-5 Tbsp of water in a microwave safe bowl or in a double boiler. (FYI: the microwave is fast and has just as great results.) If microwaving put bowl in microwave fro about 30 seconds and then stir. Put it back in for 30 second intervals and stir until melted. This usually takes about 2 1/2 minutes total. Place 3/4 of the powdered sugar on top of the marshmallows and mix in.

Now, GENEROUSLY, grease your hands (palms, backs, in between fingers... you get the picture, everything.) Your hands will feel like heaven when you are done, I promise. Baby soft. Then heavily grease your counter with the shortening that you have placed conveniently close to you for easy access.


Dump the marshmallow/sugar mixture right on top of your counter that you just greased.
Start kneading like you would bread dough.
Keep kneading. This stuff can be very sticky at this stage. Re-grease your hands and counter as neccessary.
If the mix is tearing easily then it is too dry. Add 1/2 Tbsp water in intervals as needed.
It usually takes 8-10 min of kneading to get it really smooth elastic ball.

You can use it right away if you have worked out all the lumps of powdered sugar or you can let it sit overnight in the fridge. To store it: Cover it in crisco and put in a zip-loc bag or sealed in some other plastic-type wrappy stuff. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible.

It will last for weeks in the refridgerator. When ready to use it, pull it out and heat in the microwave for a few seconds to make it more pliable.






I made the ghost flames on Logan's truck with food coloring and a watercolor brush.

This fondant is very soft and doesn't work very well for making flowers or other things to decorate cake.

Please do not try to make dogs like I did for Mikelle's birthday cake. They came out looking like sad little round lumpy balls. Although it was still cute.