June 7, 2011

How to make Marshmallow fondant...2.0

I did a post about marshmallow fondant a while back.
But sometimes you don't get things quite right the first time around.
While that recipe DOES work, there is room for error...
SO, I am going back to basics today.
Here is the tweaked recipe and step by step process.

Don't be scerred..get your fondant on!

Here's what you'll need:
8 cups mini marshmallows
Vegetable shortening
1/4 cup water
2 lbs powdered sugar
 
First you put your marshmallows into a microwave safe bowl.
Add the water.
Now microwave on high for one minute and stir.
Continue microwaving for 30 more seconds until the marshmallows are almost completely melted.
Add half the bag of powdered sugar
Stir it in
Now...get your hands dirty.
Get a big ol' glob of shortening
and smear it all over your *clean* counter
Now pour the REST of the powdered sugar on your counter
Pour the marshmallow/sugar on top of the sugar on your counter
Now coat your hand THOROUGHLY with the shortening and knead the sugar into the marshmallow until it is no longer sticky and forms a ball.
Now, LIGHTLY coat the fondant with a thin layer of shortening
and wrap in cling wrap (completely airtight) to let it rest for 30 minutes or so before you use it.
You want the fondant to be completely cooled before you use it.
If you aren't going to be using it the same day, put the wrapped fondant in an airtight bag (squeezing out all the extra air) and store in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
If you store in the fridge let the fondant come up to room temperature before using.
Best if used within 2 weeks of making.

The good thing about this fondant is that is tastes really yummy.  I mean, marshmallow and sugar..couldn't be bad!
And it's cheap to make...the pre-made fondant is expensive!!
AND you'll feel super smart and all that you made your own fondant...trust me.
ANDDD you can make cute cupcake toppers like these Beagles, or legos, or bowling pins...

So anyway, fondant is fun.
I promise :)

55 comments:

Mia and Deniece, Boulder Creek Cupcakes said...

I recently use my mixer with the kneading attachment to make fondant, and it was soo much easier! just be sure to spray the whole thing with cooking spray before hand ;)

Heather Baird said...

Really nice tutorial! Thank you!

Holly said...

Thanks for that!! We just used your original recipe on a wedding cake last weekend-it came out nice but I think we tend to add a bit extra water:) Come by and check out our cake if ya like;)

Wenderly said...

Sounds delicious! I may even have my kiddos help me with this! Sounds like fun!

Anonymous said...

Who knew fondant would be this easy & cheap? I made fondant for the first time for my sons lego bday cake last Nov. & it was so fun. I will have to wrap in cling wrap next time for sure though. Thanks for the added tip :)

Milles Family said...

Seriously? You post a recipe less than 24 hours after I made your original recipe for the first time. I had issues not getting it to be so sticky. I am intersted in this modified version. I will have to try that for my hubby's bday in July. My husband like this fondant better than the store bought I made for my son's bday. I just now need to learn how to make such clean crisp decorations like you all! :) My daughter says my TinkerBell came out "chubby". :) You gotta love the honesty of 4 year olds!

redheadchick said...

My friend has always made marshmallow fondant and you are right, it tastes awesome, so much better than store bought fondant!

Unknown said...

You make me think I can do this! Maybe...but I am a bit chicken I will admit. I will also admit that right now I am eating a chocolate glazed donut and drinking champagne. Seriously, try not to be too jealous.

Michael said...

awesome tutorial! I have tasted it before (and it's yummy) but never tried making it. Totally bookmarking this for a future attempt, thanks!
Aimee

Jennifer said...

And if you add coco powder it taste like toosie roll, and it's easier to color in brown or black when it has the coco in it.

SweetSugarBelle said...

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOo scared of fondant! You made it look so easy! and if you make it often you're gonna have some guns on you! Great tuto!

Joanne said...

I made my first marshmallow fondant a few weeks ago and it was a TOTAL hit! Love this tutorial! I was totally daunted when I did it for the first time and this SO would have made me less nervous.

Felisha said...

Thank you for posting. I tend to buy my powdered sugar in a 7 lb bag- how many cups of powdered sugar is in 2 lbs? And, should I sift the powdered sugar before measuring?

Georgia Pellegrini said...

Wow, I wish I had those pastry skills...!!!

Sue said...

I really need to take the plunge and make some fondant! Thanks for making it seem feasible:)

Diane Schmidt said...

great post!
I also grease my dough hook on and mix it in there, then finish it on a flat surface :)

Food Glorious Food! said...

Really that easy? Really? :) Then I must give it a try again ;)

Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen said...

Great tutorial! I've actually never made fondant before, but now I' feel like I could tackle it.

cookies and cups said...

felisha ~ you will need approx 8 cups of powdered sugar. I don't sift it and it's fine...you knead it enough that there will be no lumps!

cookies and cups said...

Jennifer ~ love the idea of putting cocoa powder in it! YUM!

cookies and cups said...

Milles Family ~
So sorry :(
I had found that the water amount needed to be a little less OR the powdered sugar needed to be more...I didn't take into account the powdered sugar used for the surface covering in the first recipe.
This is I tested over and over and it's 100% perfect :)

Sherri said...

Awwwwwesome! Always wanted to try making my own. You make it look so easy. Thanks for sharing :)

Fallon said...

That is awesome. Actually pretty easy to make your own. At least you make it look easy. ;)

KitchenTherapy said...

Looks messy but a whole lot of fun. love marshmallow

Kelli said...

OK, ok, ok, I give up, I will try the marshmallow fondant! I've been considering it for a while now and your post is the kick in the pants I needed. (Or really, it was me not having to actually look up the recipe). I've made from-scratch fondant before with gelatin, glucose and powdered sugar, so I'm familiar, just scarred from the gooey mess.
But, you're right, fondant is expensive!

Robyn | Add a Pinch said...

Well I'll be... you make it look so simple!

may said...

please
how much suger you use in grams ??

thank you

/

May

blackbookkitchendiaries said...

Excellent tutorial! thank you so much.. you make it look so easy!

Jessica said...

Good tips but you should never never never store fondant (homemade or otherwise) in the fridge! Fastest way to ruin it. It's just marshmallows and sugar- ziploc it and put it in your pantry. It'll last indefinitely.

A random tip people swore for so long and I didn't believe til it happened to me- but brand name marshmallows. No target brand, no generic grocery store brand- real brand name marshmallows. They ARE different but slightly. I made a few batches not long ago that got gummy after it set and then crumbled (a gummy yet crumbly mess...it was weird) and it was generic marshmallows. Bought Kraft and never had trouble since.

Designed with Purpose said...

I actually made the fondant for the first time last week...I used your "old" recipe but this is great too! It turned out perfectlyy and was very easy to make.

megan @ whatmegansmaking said...

great tutorial! I've been wanting to try this :)

Dag said...

When do you add coloring?

Unknown said...

I am saving this for sure, I want to make this for my girls birthday.

Emily P said...

I use my Kitchenaid to mix mine as well and will never go back to hand kneading. @ Dag,I mix in my color as I am stirring my marshmellows but right before I pour them into my KA mixing bowl. I also add a little clear vanilla in mine..... yummy!

Jenrn said...

I stir in 1-2 Tbsp corn syrup to the melted marshmallows before adding the sugar. I find it makes the fondant a little more pliable & resistant to cracking.

Unknown said...

This is perfect timing! I just started the Wilton Fondant and Gum Paste class and want to make my own. This was very helpful! Wish me luck when I make it on Sunday :)

Leslie said...

Yes.premade fondant is CRAZY expensive..about $15 for 2 pounds!
Oh and if you previously subscribed to my blog in a rss reader, my blog feed has changed, you might want to re-subscribe if you have not been getting my feeds

Anonymous said...

Since reading your first post on marshmallow fondant that is all I make and use now. Thanks!!!

teri@thefreshmancook said...

I have made Marshmallow Fondant in the past. It tasted good, but it was rather dry and cracked. It was usable, but I wasn't that happy with it. So, I am a little gun shy about making it again, but your recipe looks great, so I think I will be trying it again. I think the cracking has to do with the dry climate in Las Vegas. Have you had the cracking problem? Thanks for the post!

Amy | She Wears Many Hats said...

Okay, I seriously may try this. Although it would be much easier (and fun) if you just come to my house and help me. ; )

sweetlife said...

Thanks for sharing my daughter would love this, she has been trying her hand with fondant.
thanks for sharing
sweetlife
ps, what program do you use to add words to your pics, thanks

Ashley H said...

Do you know how much Fondant this made? I*m making my daughter*s birthday cake this weekend and wanted to try this out before I spent $80 in pre made fondant!! How much did what you got weigh??

Lorraine said...

Looks great and sounds yummy! Excellent tutorial. I would never attempt it without your help..thanks:)

Lorraine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
cookies and cups said...

First, great tip with the kneading attachment! I will have to try that!

Not sure how much the sugar is in grams...it is 2 lbs, so I am sure you can find a converter somewhere..sorry :(

Jessica ~ I have stored the fondant in the fridge and out both and I tend to prefer it in the fridge, just a personal preference I suppose, but it certainly has never been ruined..it's how I always do it! Also, I have made using both brand name and store brand marshmallows and haven't ever noticed a difference, but there certainly is no harm in buying the name brand, I agree :)

Dag ~ I add coloring when I am done. I knead in the coloring after it is made, but like Emily P said, I am sure you can add it into the marshmallows when stirring, just as long as you need the whole batch one color.

Jenrn ~ I LOVE that corn syrup tip! I will definitely be trying that!

Teri ~ since you do have such a dry climate, I might consider adding 1 Tablespoon more water and make sure you seal it completely airtight!

sweetlife ~ I use photoshop.

Ashley ~ this recipe makes just under 3 lbs of fondant.

Anonymous said...

Hello!!
Love your blog !!
If i didn't find Crisco where i'm living, i could replace it by butter? or any other suggestion? thank you
I live in Morocco...
xx

Sophie

Heather @ Sweet Sins said...

I so badly want to make fondant but I am so scared of it at the same time!! I saw this the last time you posted and I really want to make it... maybe I will this weekend!!

Michelle said...

Do you use regular food coloring or special coloring? I have the drops on hand but saw gel at the store the other day. Does one work better than the other with fondant?

cookies and cups said...

Michelle ~ I would only use the gel...the liquid might make the fondant too sticky.

Angela B. said...

Ok. I'm convinced. I always make everything from scratch, except the fondant. I tried a recipe for marshmallow fondant once & it was a gooey, awful mess. Got a wedding cake in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to try this out. Thank you!

Unknown said...

I'm curious whether you've covered a cake in the MMF and then stored it in the fridge without the problems of it sweating?

I love the finish of fondant covered cakes but hate being limited to buttercream-type fillings that don't need to be refrigerated. I know Satin Ice can be refrigerated but the price is astronomical here in Australia.

Really well written tutorial - definitely filing it for a trial in the future.

Regards, Di-licious
www.di-liciouscupcakes.com

Renee' said...

I love to make my own fondant. This is a great recipe as well: http://cakecentral.com/recipes/5213/addendum-to-rhondas-ultimate-mmf

cookies and cups said...

Di-Licious ~ I don't store fondant covered cakes in the fridge...they do sweat and get sticky. I have used Satin Ice as well and it is a great product, but the cost is great too :) SO to answer your question, it wouldn't be my recommendation to store a covered cake in the fridge.

SydMorgan said...

I love this recipe so simple and inexpensive to make. I was wondering though if there is something I can add to or do to the fondant to make it more resilient to humidity?

cookies and cups said...

Syd ~ I wish I knew the answer to that.
I have used the store bought fondant as well as homemade and humidity is EVIL!
You shouldn't have too much trouble if the humidity is mild, but if it's high I would try and let the cake set up in a cool, dry place before releasing it into the elements.
Like let it set up overnight in your air conditioned house.
If you are making little figures, or decorations using the fondant I would give them a few days of drying time.
Hope this helps...I am not a pro-fondant person, either, so these are just my best tips from trial and error :)

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