Mar 14, 2010

finally...homemade marshmallow fondant (and swirly pops)

While I've always proclaimed the virtues of store-bought fondant (it's ready made and easy to use), I'm not fond of the taste. So finally.... I tried my hand at homemade marshmallow fondant. I'll likely never give up store-bought, but I'll admit, marshmallow fondant is easy to make, easy to use, and did taste better. I still find the fondant too sweet for my taste, but I can't begrudge the stuff. It is made of sugar and marshmallows after all.

This marshmallow fondant recipe is not mine. I compiled the advice and recipes found from these sources:
how I made marshmallow fondant:
2 cups mini marshmallows
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 pound confectioner's sugar
Crisco or vegetable shortening

Grease a microwave safe bowl with Crisco. Pour 1 cup marshmallows in bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon extract over marshmallows. Heat in microwave until marshmallows puff a bit, about 20 to 30 seconds. Stir well until fully melted and smooth and runny. Put confectioner's sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer with the flat beater (I greased the beater with Crisco. I'm sure a handheld electric mixer will work, too). Pour marshmallow mixture into the sugar and blend on low speed. Clean marshmallow bowl and repeat with another cup of marshmallows, 1 tablespoon water, and 1 teaspoon extract, melted and stirred. Pour into sugar and continue blending until dough forms. Knead briefly on a surface dusted with confectioner's sugar. Wrap in plastic and let sit about half an hour. NOTE: I did the marshmallows in two batches because I thought one batch would be enough, but the dough was too dry. Next time I make this, I'll try melting the marshmallows all at once.

to make colors:
Simply take about an egg size wad of fondant, add a few drops of coloring (start with one or two and add more as desired), and knead very well. A warning if you have an event to attend where non-stained hands are important: your hands will get stained. You can use the concentrated pastes from the craft store, though I prefer Americolor soft gel pastes (click the link, then click "Links" for tips where to buy.) The colors I used here are: Electric Green, Sky Blue, Orange, and Electric Pink.
to make swirly pops:
fondant in various colors
wax paper

rolling pin
confectioner's sugar for dusting
sharp knife or pastry scraper
ruler
light corn syrup
lollipop sticks

Roll fondant about 1/4 inch thick between two pieces of wax paper (dust with confectioner's sugar if sticky). Using the knife or pastry scraper and a ruler, cut out strips. For each pop, you'll need two strips, one 1/2 inch by 4 inches and one 1/2 inch by 6 inches. Dab light corn syrup on top of both strips to help everything stick. Lay the smaller strip on top of the larger strip, centered. Start from one end and roll into a coil. Insert lollipop stick where outer strip ends and set aside on wax paper to dry.






23 comments:

  1. I just made marshmallow fondant this weekend as well. I agree the taste is not bad and it was easier to make than I thought. I greased my KitchenAid mixer and used that. It worked really well.

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  2. Alexandra and I will have to give this one a whirl. It looks much faster than the way we have been doing it. Thanks for sharing! :0)

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  3. What a reat idea. These will look adorable in a candy cake.

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  4. I love the idea of making fondant from ready bought marshmallows. Your recipe makes it sound so easy and I bet it tastes much better than a store bought fondant. Thanks for this very cute recipe!

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  5. I used MM fondant last year for a cake. It's too sweet for me as well, but I prefer it to the store bought stuff. I guess you either like the taste of fondant or you don't!

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  6. I have recently been hearing alot about marshmallow fondant and i have always just made regular fondant maybe since you tried it I will too. :)

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  7. 1. Our kitchen wall colors have to be the same brand

    2. Must come visit and get creative together

    3. Must sell your sets in my shop--must

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  8. They are really sweet, they look like souped-up versions of oldfashioned sugar candy lollies!

    Made in miniture, they'd look gorgeous on a cupcake.

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  9. YEAH!! Thanks for posting this... I have been wanting to try making my own but am just too chicken... I think with your easy instructions I might attempt it! SUCH fun lolli pops too!

    Blessings-
    Amanda

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  10. Hello Meaghan~Thank you for sharing this recipe. I use fondant in many of the confections I create. This will be a wonderful (tastier)change from the commercial brand I'm using now.

    Sweet wishes,
    Sara

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  11. Thanks for the easy instructions! I've always wanted to try MM fondant, but thought it was too complicated. This looks easy and quick!


    Just wondering if you've tried kneading the food coloring in your kitchenaid with the dough hook? I suppose I could always wear plastic gloves if I had somewhere to go, right?

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  12. I'm sure you could do that (I've mixed icing colors that way), the dough hook should be strong enough for the tougher consistency. I've never simply because I only mix tiny batches of color at a time, so it was less of a hassle to knead. They sell gloves for cake decorators, though. I think I even saw them at Michaels maybe?? Not sure how they are different from plain rubber gloves, but I thought about getting some...

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  13. Yay! Thanks for the recipe and tutorial! I featured this on my blog. Come and check it out...
    jandeecrafts.blogspot.com

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  14. I am going to have to say that I have done months of research on the easiest and better way to make homemade fondant and have been unsuccessful! But I have made your fondant recipe today with an extra doze of the marshmallows... and it is the best fondant I have ever made! Thank you so much for being that break threw!!!!

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  15. Oh, sniffle, thank you Anonymous! I have to give credit to all the marshmallow fondant makers before me (see the links above!) But I'm also going to try and add a wee bit more marshmallows next time, too!

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  16. My daughter is very fond of marshmallow and fondant, she uses to make it ...Your recipe looks so easy and tasty.She read it and wants to give it a try... thanks a lot for sharing..
    Hope you would like to spare a little time on me at

    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  17. these are soo cute...ishould try this out....
    Happy new year!!!

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  18. I tried to make this by myself. It didn't work out too well. I've never made it before, but all my family loved it! thanks for the recipe. I will try again. (P.S. I put it on a cake and it worked really well)

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  19. I enjoyed reading this post! I've been thinking about trying out some marshmallow fondant myself on my painted cookies because like you, I don't like the taste of the store bought variety.

    Anyhow, some people have suggested I try this kind of fondant so it was great to read you post on it.

    How smooth would you say this fondant for painting on?

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  20. yep! Should be plenty smooth for painting. After topping whatever you're topping, I'd let it sit at room temperature for a few hours to stiffen though, before painting.

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  21. Thanks so much for answering my question! I've got all the stuff to give marshmallow fondant a try! Thanks again!

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  22. My kids are going to love these, deliciously colourful!

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