How to Make Gerbera Daisies From Fondant

Fondant is a sweet dessert ingredient that has the consistency of artist's clay. It is used in cake and candy design by professional culinary artists. You can make your own fondant at home to use in a wide range of edible crafts. For example, gerbera daisy fondants serve as ornamental and tasty candies to garnish a homemade cake or set of cupcakes. They can also be served as simple candy treats.

Things You'll Need

• Double boiler
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup shortening
• Gerbera daisy candy molds (24 molds, 1 ounce)
• Food coloring
• Clean paintbrush (fine)

Instructions

1. Fill the bottom reservoir of the double boiler with water and place it on the stove. Set it to a low simmer.

2. Add the marshmallows, 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon water to the double boiler. Cover and allow it to simmer slowly for 15 minutes. During this time, the sugar, marshmallow and water will blend together into a fluffy, creamy marshmallow base.

3. Line the gerbera daisy candy molds, liberally, with shortening. Also coat your hands well with the shortening. This allows you to work with the fondant without it sticking to your fingers.

4. Pour the hot marshmallow fondant cream into each gerbera daisy candy mold. Fill each mold all of the way with the near-liquid mixture. As it cools it will harden into a chewy fondant. Leave about 1/4 cup of fondant in the pan.

5. Pour the remaining cup of powdered sugar onto your counter. Immediately pour the warm marshmallow cream from the pan onto the sugar. Use your hands to work the fondant into the sugar until you have kneaded it into a firm yet squeezable ball of fondant. This ball will only be about 3 inches in diameter. Tear the large ball into a series of smaller balls.

6. Slide each gerbera daisy-shaped fondant candy from the molds. Dip the tip of a clean, fine-bristled paintbrush into a cup of clean drinking water. Brush it along the center of the daisy-shaped candies. Affix one of the rolled-up fondant balls directly to this spot, creating a three-dimensional effect.

7. Add 40 drops of your choice of food coloring to a glass of water. Add more if you want a bolder tone, and less for a more pastel hue. Dip the paintbrush into it and delicately swipe it across the surface of the fondant daisies. This tints them with color for enhancement.

Tips & Warnings

• Gerbera daisy candy molds can be found in bakery supply shops and online.

Resources

• Wilton: Covering Round Cakes With Rolled Fondant