Marshmallow fondant

If, like me and mine, you don't like the regular fondant used to decorate cakes but you like the look of it, there is an alternative: marshmallow fondant. I am not fond of marshmallow, but I must admit I prefer it to regular rolled fondant. To counter the extra sugary taste of marshmallow, I used ganache icing or an icing with a more bitter taste. That way, our teeth don't ache after one bite of cake.

Here's how to make the marshmallow fondant:

16 oz of mini marshmallows (usually comes up to almost a bag, give or take a few mini marshmallows)
2 pounds of icing sugar
Water
Shortening

Grease up a large pyrex bowl with shortening. Put in the marshmallow and add 2 to 5 tablespoons of water. Put in the microwave for about a minute. Stir and put back in the microwave until melted. Make sure you grease everything because it is incredibly sticky. When all the marshmallows are melted, you can either pour it into the icing sugar or you can add the icing sugar in one cup at a time. I prefer the second option. You will have to knead it as some point so it becomes like a dough. Grease your hands and the surface with the shortening. I haven't found a way for it not to stick to the surface or my fingers yet, despite the shortening. When it is kneaded, grease it with the shortening and wrap it well so it won't dry. You can use it after a little period of rest (15 minutes), but I usually leave it for the night. If there is too much icing sugar, it will be friable. If there is not enough, it will be sticky. It needs to be elastic enough so it can be rolled and put onto a cake. Color can be added either when it's made or after.

Here's one of our creation made out of marshmallow fondant, made for our nephew's birthday:

The newest cake

I'm not really good at this blogging thing. I didn't even see the time go by. I log in and so much has been posted on the other blogs I suscribe to.

I have to say I haven't baked that much. I baked about a hundred little pies for my boys at work and my latest creation is my friend's birthday cake.

In the process of making the cake, hubby and I have learned to make gum paste flowers as well. We're not that good yet, but it'll come.

So, here's the cake, made with lots of love and last minute decisions (she loves flip flops! haha).

The first picture is of a gum paste flower we decided not to use after all.