How to Create Individual Fondant Bow Cakes

Fondant creates an extremely polished, professional look to cakes, but simple fondant creations, such as this gift bow, are not particularly difficult to master, even for the beginner. Here are the steps to creating lovely individual fondant bow cakes for a bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, or other special occasion.

Supplies: The supplies you will need to make the fondant bow individual cakes are:

One cake mix and ingredients to make the mix

Buttercream Icing (www.wilton.com has a great recipe. Canned frosting will not work well. You can, however, purchase Wilton Decorator's Icing in a can to save time.)

Fondant (One box of Wilton brand fondant will be sufficient.)

Small disposable plates for serving

Icing spreader

Waxed Paper

Muffin Tin

Cake leveler or sharp serrated knife

Paring knife

Icing color (if desired)

One decorating bag and star tip (if desired)

Procedure: Making the fondant bow individual cakes does take several steps, but you will look like a pro when you reveal your finished product. Here are the steps:

1. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions for cupcakes. Make your cupcakes in a muffin tin WITHOUT paper liners. Be sure to grease your tin very carefully. Remove the baked cupcakes and allow to cool.

2. In the meantime, knead your fondant and roll it out to an even ¼ inch thickness. Using a paring knife, slice thin strips that are about 2 ½ inches long and about ½ an inch wide. You will need about 10 strips for each cake. You may need to roll out your fondant several times to get enough strips. Once you have as many strips as you need, fold each strip over on itself and seal together with a small amount of water, leaving a loop. Lay the loops up their sides to dry (so they do not droop).

3. Once your cupcakes have cooled thoroughly, you need to level the tops. This is easily done with a cake leveler, or you may use a sharp serrated knife. You will lose quite a bit of cake here but it is important to have a level surface. You can save the scraps for a punch bowl cake or other dessert. Once you have leveled your cakes, you will be decorating them top sides down.