How to Paint a Fondant Cake

Painting fondant is a fantastic way to add a finishing touch and intricate detailing to your cakes and cupcakes. By using luster dust, food-coloring powders, or other alcohol-based edible food paints, you can create a professional look to your cakes that will help to distinguish and personalize them. Painting fondant is also a good alternative to using edible pens or piping on messages in buttercream. In essence, painting fondant is an elegant way to express any message or decoration you'd like on a cake.

Things You'll Need

• Rolled fondant
• Edible paint (non-water-based)
• Decorating paintbrush
• Toothpicks
• Parchment paper

Instructions

1. Plan a design for the painted cake. Draw it out with pen and paper, and include color. Keep the design nearby for reference.

2. Use alcohol-based food coloring or edible alcohol-based paint. Alcohol-based color will not melt the fondant icing, and the alcohol will evaporate quickly.

   Another option is to use powdered food colorings mixed with a small amount of vodka. Mix until the coloring is smooth enough to paint but not too thin.

   Mix every color you will need for your cake right away so that you don't need to worry about replicating colors later.

3. Gather all of your supplies before you begin. Make sure the cake is already iced with fondant and that the fondant is secured with buttercream.

   Use a fine paintbrush for painting the fondant. A watercolor brush or other fine-tipped brush will work.

4. Lay your fondant on the parchment paper (unless you are painting directly on the cake). Keep a steady hand when painting fondant. Paint as you would a watercolor painting, and keep a Kleenex or damp paper towel around to quickly wipe off any color mistakes.

   Work on the general shape of the design before handling the details or saturating the design with color. Continue painting until the design is complete and each part of your planned paper design has been painted on the cake. Use a toothpick to fill in details and further saturate colors.

5. Let the designs dry before moving or serving the cake.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep fondant as still as possible while adding detail. Try to steady your arm while painting.

References

• Fun with Fondant
• Sponge Painting Fondant
• Decorating Cakes