Creating Fondant Wedding Cake Toppers: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fondant cake toppers are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding cake. Fondant, a type of sugar paste, can be moulded into any shape imaginable, making it perfect for creating custom designs. Learning how to make fondant cake toppers is easy, and with some practice, you can create any design you dream up. You can make a classic yellow duck by moulding three teardrop shapes for the body, head and beak, or a ballerina with pink slippers and an outstanding tutu. For a wedding cake, you could make a bride and groom topper, with the help of a tutorial.

Basic shapes

Fondant is a type of sugar paste that can be moulded into any shape imaginable, making it perfect for creating custom cake toppers. Basic shapes are easy to mould and can be combined to create fun wedding cake toppers.

For example, a classic yellow duck can be made by moulding three teardrop shapes for the body, head, and beak. The key to achieving this look is to ensure that the head is about half the size of the body and that the beak is tiny.

Another idea is to create a ballerina with pink slippers and an elegant pose. To create the tutu, use a circle cookie cutter and a frill tool to layer up the pieces.

You can also make a cute baby elephant by moulding the head and trunk from one piece of fondant. This ensures that the trunk does not fall off.

With a little practice and imagination, you can create your own unique and eye-catching fondant wedding cake toppers.

Sculpting

Fondant is a type of sugar paste that can be moulded into any shape, making it perfect for creating custom cake toppers. Sculpting with fondant is an exercise in creativity and attention to detail. For example, to make a classic yellow duck, you would need three teardrop shapes for the body, head and beak, with the head about half the size of the body and a tiny beak.

More complex figurines, like a bulldog, require a bit more work. First, you would carve the shape out of Styrofoam, and then cover it in fondant. To get the wrinkly look just right, you would need to create a muzzle out of a ball and a semicircle of white fondant, and then brush on black or grey edible dust for some realistic shading.

Another tip is to use a fondant roller to make cake layers about 2mm thick, cutting them into circles and stacking them. This is a great way to add height and complexity to your cake design.

Fondant cake toppers are a fun and unique way to add a personal touch to your cakes. With some practice and imagination, you can create any design you can dream up!

Painting

• Choose the right paint: When painting on fondant, it's important to use food-safe paints or dusts. You can find edible dusts and paints specifically designed for cake decorating. These come in a variety of colours, allowing you to create realistic details.
• Practice on a separate surface: Before applying paint directly to your fondant cake topper, practice on a separate piece of fondant. This will help you get a feel for the paint consistency and allow you to test out different colours and techniques.
• Start with base colours: Begin by painting the base colours of your topper. For example, if you're creating a bride and groom topper, you'll want to paint the skin tone, hair colour, and clothing colours first. Allow this base layer to dry completely before adding any additional details.
• Add shading and highlights: Once your base colours are dry, you can add shading and highlights to create depth and dimension. For example, you can use edible dusts to shade the folds of a dress or suit, or add blush to the cheeks of your topper figures.
• Use fine brushes for details: When painting finer details, such as facial features or intricate patterns, use small, fine-tipped brushes. This will allow you to create precise lines and add delicate touches to your topper.
• Let the paint dry completely: Before handling your fondant cake topper or placing it on the cake, ensure that the paint is completely dry. This will help prevent smudging or transferring of paint onto the cake itself.
• Seal the paint (optional): If you want to add a protective layer over your painted topper, you can use a food-safe sealant or spray. This will help protect your artwork and ensure that it lasts longer, especially if the topper is going to be kept as a keepsake.

Remember, when painting fondant wedding cake toppers, always use food-safe products and allow ample drying time between layers. With practice and patience, you'll be able to create beautiful and detailed toppers that will impress your guests and make your wedding cake truly unique.

Personalisation

One simple way to personalise a wedding cake topper is by adding the couple's initials. This can be done using alphabet cookie cutters and mounted on the cake with toothpicks. Another option is to create a monogram, which is a chic and easy way to add a personal touch.

For a more intricate design, sugar-crafted bride and groom toppers are a popular choice and can be customised to match the couple's features, hairstyles, and even the bride's gown. These toppers can be made in a classic sugar-crafted style or the more on-trend "peg-style", which uses wooden pegs painted to resemble the couple.

Fondant cake toppers can also be used to create fun and whimsical designs. For example, combining basic shapes can result in cute animals or objects that represent the couple's interests or hobbies. Adding small details, such as eyelashes or bows, can make the topper even more personalised and unique.

The possibilities for personalisation are endless, and with a bit of creativity and practice, anyone can learn to make fondant wedding cake toppers that are truly special and memorable.

Stacking

First, decide on the number of tiers or layers you want in your cake topper. Each layer will need to be individually cut and shaped before stacking. Use a fondant roller to roll out the fondant to your desired thickness; Craftsy recommends a thickness of about 2mm for each layer. You can also mix in a small amount of tylose powder at this stage to thin the fondant if needed.

Next, cut out circles from the rolled-out fondant. These circles will be your layers, so ensure they are all the same size and large enough to fit your desired shape when stacked. Carefully stack the layers on top of each other, using a small amount of fondant or icing as 'glue' between the layers to help them adhere.

For added stability, especially for taller or more complex designs, you can use wooden skewers or dowels as internal supports. Insert a wooden skewer through the centre of the layers, leaving a portion of it exposed at the top to act as a point of attachment for additional decorative elements. For example, Craftsy suggests using a skewer to attach the oversized head of a figurine to its body, preventing it from toppling over.

When stacking fondant layers, it is important to consider the proportions of your design. For example, when creating a classic yellow duck, the head should be about half the size of the body, with a tiny beak attached.

With these stacking techniques, you can create stable and visually appealing fondant wedding cake toppers.

Frequently asked questions