Simple Shortcut Fondant Recipe

There's just something about a gorgeous, decorated layer cake that can elevate the average gathering into something extraordinary. While frosted layer cakes are special enough, there's a simple way to take it to the next level. Fondant, the extremely polarizing cake decoration,  is a type of sugar paste that can be molded like clay into various shapes and used to decorate cakes, cupcakes, and even mini layer cakes. Aside from decorations, it can also be rolled into a thin sheet and laid over the top of a cake to keep it from getting dry.

Recipe developer Taylor Murray brings us this simple shortcut fondant recipe that uses just three ingredients (plus any food coloring you might like to use). So if you're ready to start making beautiful baked goods, dust off the rolling pin and get ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious and easy fondant recipe.

Making fondant at home is incredibly simple. First, gather the ingredients. Start with a 10 ounce bag of mini marshmallows. "The mini marshmallows are essential as they melt more quickly and evenly than their larger counterparts," says Murray. You'll also need plenty of powdered sugar, which you'll use in the fondant itself, though you'll also need some for dusting your work surface. And, if you want to make things colorful, be sure to have food coloring on hand.

Place the marshmallows and 3 tablespoons of water in a microwave-safe bowl and melt on high 1 minute at a time, stirring occasionally, until the marshmallows are melted. 

Start adding powdered sugar to mini marshmallows 1 cup at a time. Once the dough starts getting stiff, it may become easier to knead by hand. "If you have a stand mixer, you can save yourself some effort and mix the fondant in that," says Murray, "but it's not necessary and you can definitely make this by hand." 

Once the fondant comes together in a ball, turn out onto a surface dusted with extra powdered sugar and continue to knead until smooth and no longer sticky. 

At this point, the fondant is ready to eat or use. If you want to add coloring, now is the time to do it. Simply add a few drops and keep kneading until the color is completely incorporated.

Once you've got the color you want, the fondant is ready to use as desired. You can roll out large, ⅛-inch thick sheets of fondant to cover entire cakes, or you can use a cookie cut-out to yield smaller pieces. Whichever way you use the fondant, there's no doubt that it will add that special something to your next baked good.