How to Color Marshmallow Fondant Black

Cocoa and marshmallows are not just a drink. They are the ingredients needed to make black fondant.

Marshmallow fondant is an edible, smooth coating for decorating cakes. The fondant gives the cake a smoother finish than regular frosting. Regular food coloring will not darken marshmallow fondant to a pure black hue. To get a solid black coloring, use food coloring paste added to the fondant during the preparation. This combines with a Dutch cocoa-tinted marshmallow fondant to create a truly dark black color.

Things You'll Need

• 8 oz. marshmallows
• 2 tbsp. water
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Heatproof spoon or spatula
• Cooking spray or vegetable shortening
• 2 tbsp. Dutch cocoa powder
• 2 oz. black icing coloring paste
• 2 lb. powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Melt the marshmallows and water in the microwave-safe bowl on high power for two minutes.

2. Coat the heatproof spoon with cooking spray or vegetable shortening to keep the marshmallows from sticking to it as you prepare the fondant.

3. Stir the cocoa powder into the melted marshmallows. You can add more to create a darker brown color.

4. Mix half of the black icing coloring paste into the melted, brown marshmallows. Add more paste by drops if needed to turn the marshmallows black.

5. Sift half of the powdered sugar into the marshmallows and stir. Add more powdered sugar by tablespoonfuls until the fondant comes together as a dense dough.

6. Cover a work surface with cooking spray or vegetable shortening.

7. Knead the fondant on the greased surface until it feels pliable. It is now ready to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Black icing coloring paste is found in baking supply stores with the cake decorating items.

• Dutch cocoa powder lacks the red tint of natural cocoa powder. Look for it in the baking aisle of supermarkets.

• Wear disposable gloves when kneading the marshmallow fondant to keep the black coloring from staining your hands.

References

• Cake Journal; How to Make Marshmallow Fondant; March 2008
• Wilton: Add Color or Flavoring to Fondant