So Many Questions...
Okay, so the cake makes me look more amazing than I am. It really wasn't all that hard. I'll fill you in on the secrets... that curly-q's are made out of fondant. It is the consistency of taffy and comes in a big square brick of white. Then I took it and divided it up into equal parts and dyed the fondant with food coloring. I cut the colors into strips and wrapped it around straws until it hardened and then slid them off. Thats all there was to it. I actually thought the hardest part was frosting the cake, since the frosting was pulling crumbs of the cake...what a pain! The cake only took me a long time because I could only work on it while Jackson was napping.
PS...I've had a few people ask where I actually bought the fondent...check in your yellow pages for cake or candy decorating stores. I also know that our Walmart sells some fondant, so check there too. I used Wilton brand fondant, not sure if there is a difference between brands, but I just thought you might like to know.
11 comments:
That actaully sounds like a lot of work. That is neat that you learned how to do that. Jackson sounds like so much fun to have around. I bet it is fun to see his personality more and more as he grows older. I am so excited to see you and your family soon.
Thanks for the directions. I'm probably going to put the curly q's on Bri's cake. I love the list of what Jackson's doing. He is so similar to Brianna in some ways...and then so different too. Bri has never tried to dance, no matter how much I try to shake her hips!
Love it! I may copy your tradition!!
you're so cute michelle!
Thanks for the tips Michelle. I think it still sounds difficult and complicated, and you really are as amazing as we all think! I loved your 15 things about Jackson. It sounds like he is at a really fun stage.
About the Foulgers...Mark's mom is Clayton's older sister. Her maiden name is Anne Foulger. I wouldn't be surprised if your parents have met her at some point--the Foulgers all live right next to each other and do so many things together, have the same contacts, etc. It's such a small world! What is your maiden name, or your dad's name? I will ask Mark's mom about your dad.
Thanks for sharing...I'm excited to try it!
Hi Michelle - I just saw a comment of yours on my friend Jessica's blog. I saw your parents names and thought - what a small world!
You have a cute cute little boy. And by the way, even with those cake tricks I could NEVER do something like that. Bravo!
-melissa (shelley)
Where did you buy the fondant? At a local bakery? online? etc. I can't find any here!
Hey Michelle,
I saw your blog as a link on Lindsays site so I thought I'd visit. Wow, you only live a street away and I don't think I've seen you in over a year- how sad! Anyway, your little guy is getting so big! Time flies. We have a link on Lindsay's blog as well if you ever want to see pictures of our little girl. Hope to see you soon!--- Stefanie
Thank you so much for doing that research for me! You're the best! You didn't have to do that! I'll be sure and check those stores out! I can't wait to make her cake!
For those who live on a tight budget - like us - fondant is an expensive splurge - so I found this easy easy fondant recipe that I used to make Ashley's rubber ducky birthday cake
-Marci
MM (Marshmallow) Fondant Recipe
16 ounces white mini marshmallows (use a good quality brand)
2 to 5 tablespoons water
2 pounds icing sugar (please use C&H Cane Powdered Sugar for the best results)
½ cup Crisco shortening (you will be digging into it so place in a very easily accessed bowl)
NOTE: Please be careful, this first stage can get hot.
Melt marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave or double boiler: Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, open microwave and stir, back in microwave for 30 seconds more, open microwave and stir again, and continue doing this until melted. It usually takes about 2 ½ minutes total. Place 3/4 of the powdered sugar on the top of the melted marshmallow mix.
Now grease your hands GENEROUSLY - palms, backs and in between fingers, then heavily grease the counter you will be using and dump the bowl of marshmallow/sugar mixture in the middle. (By the way, this recipe is also good for your hands. When I’m done, they are baby soft.)
Start kneading like you would bread dough. You will immediately see why you have greased your hands. If you have children in the room they will either laugh at you or look at you with a questioning expression. You might even hear a muttered, “What are you doing?”
Keep kneading, this stuff is sticky at this stage! Add the rest of the powdered sugar and knead some more. Re-grease your hands and counter when the fondant is sticking. If the mix is tearing easily, it is to dry, so add water (about ½ tablespoon at a time then knead it in). It usually takes me about 8 minutes to get a firm smooth elastic ball so that it will stretch without tearing when you apply it to the cake.
Its best if you can let it sit, double wrapped, overnight (but you can use it right away if there are no tiny bits of dry powdered sugar). If you do see them, you will need to knead and maybe add a few more drops of water.
Prepare the fondant for storing by coating it with a good layer of Crisco shortening, wrap in a plastic- type wrap product and then put it in a re-sealable or Ziploc bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible.
MM Fondant will hold very well in the refrigerator for weeks. If I know that I have a cake to decorate, I usually make 2 batches on a free night during the week so it is ready when I need it. Take advantage of the fact that this fondant can be prepared well in advance.
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