Marshmallow Fondant

Last week my oldest daughter turned 9 and she had a very specific request for her birthday cake. Normally I just ask them what flavor they want, but she had seen a cake at Sam's Club that she really liked and asked me if I could make one just like it. I told her I couldn't promise anything, but I would do my best. It looked simple enough, except I had never used fondant before so I wasn't sure how that would go.

The day before her birthday I went to the store to buy the fondant and about died when I saw the price. $22 for a box of 3 different colors! I don't think so. For that price I would have just bought her the cake from the store.

So I did a little Internet searching (actually my mom did it for me while I was on the phone with her and on my way to the store) and it turns out there are many different recipes out there. They can basically be divided into two different categories though, traditional fondant and marshmallow fondant. Since the marshmallow fondant seemed much simpler and more kid friendly taste wise, we went that route, and I was very pleased with the results. It was very easy to make and work with.

I'm glad I didn't take a picture of the cake from the store, because it would make mine look that much worse, but for my first fondant attempt and considering I had help from a nine year old and three year old, I would say it turned out pretty good.

I will say it was a little bit of a messy, sticky project, but that was part of what made it so fun.

I would definitely recommend giving this a try if you are looking up your cake decorating game a little. Keep in mind that this makes a HUGE batch (I didn't even use half of it) and it does need to sit in the fridge over night so you have to plan ahead.

Marshmallow Fondant (recipe adapted slightly from This recipe)

16 oz Mini Marshmallows
4 Tbs Water
1 tsp Vanilla Extract (or other flavor of your choice)
2 Pounds + 2 Cups Powdered sugar (You may need a little more or less than this)
Butter or Crisco for greasing your hands
Food Coloring

Place the marshmallows in a large bowl and microwave in 30 second increments until completely melted. Carefully stir in the water and vanilla and mix until smooth.

Slowly stir in some of the powdered sugar until you have sticky dough.

Grease your counter or table with butter and then generously sprinkle with powdered sugar. pour the dough onto the counter. Grease your hands well, and knead the dough adding more powdered sugar until the dough is no longer sticky.

Add a few drops of food coloring and continue to knead until it is uniform in color.

Form the fondant into a ball, lightly grease with butter and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Put the fondant in the fridge to sit over night, and then let it sit out on the counter until it is room temperature before you use it.

Sprinkle the counter with more powdered sugar to roll it out and then get creative!