Marshmallow Fondant

You see beautiful wedding cakes decorated with fondant all the time, but it doesn’t always taste as good as it looks.  Baking instructor, Nancy Burgeson shows us and easier and tastier way!

16 ounces white mini-marshmallows (use a good quality brand)
2 to 5 tablespoons water
2 pounds powdered sugar (please use C&H Cane Powdered Sugar for the best results)
1/2 cup Crisco shortening

Directions:

CAUTION:  Please be careful, this first stage can get hot.

Melt marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave or double boiler. To microwave, place the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, open microwave and stir, back in microwave for 30 seconds more, open microwave and stir again, and continue doing this until melted. It usually takes about 2 1/2 minutes total.

Place ¾ bag of the powdered sugar on the top of the melted marshmallow mix.

Now grease your hands GENEROUSLY (palms, backs, and in between fingers), then heavily grease the counter you will be using and dump the bowl of marshmallow/sugar mixture in the middle.

Start kneading like you would bread dough. You will immediately see why you have greased your hands. Keep kneading, this stuff is sticky at this stage! Add the rest of the powdered sugar and knead some more. Re-grease your hands and counter when the fondant starts sticking. If the mix is tearing easily, it is to dry, so add water (about 1/2 tablespoon at a time and then knead it in). This will take about 8 minutes to get a firm smooth elastic ball so that it will stretch without tearing when you apply it to the cake.

It is best if you can let it sit, double wrapped, overnight (but you can use it right away if there are no tiny bits of dry powdered sugar). If you do see them, you will need to knead and maybe add a few more drops of water. 

Prepare the fondant icing for storing by coating it with a good layer of Crisco shortening, Wrap in plastic wrap very tightly.  If you are going to use this within 2-3 days just leave at room temperature.

Marshmallow Fondant icing will hold very well in the refrigerator for weeks.