Hello- My name is Renee and I am a former Fondant hater.... ;)

I used to be of the opinion that fondant was pure evil. Sure, it looked pretty, but it was totally gross... a waste of time, and in a way kind of an easy way out.  Please don't hate me.  I have since changed my ways :).  

So about 6 months ago, I broke down and finally tried Marshmallow Fondant - and it is a-mazing.  While it is sweet, it tastes infinitely better than store bought, and also is MUCH cheaper (like I mentioned before, I am all about cheap ;))and looks just as beautiful.  I know there are a ton of recipes out there for it, but this is the one that I use- and it has worked pretty well for me so far.  Not that I won't change it in the future if I find a better one... 

Try it- I hope you will love it just as much as I do :) This recipe is adapted from a few different recipes on Cake Central.

Marshmallow Fondant

1 16 oz bag of marshmallows

2 TB water

1/4 cup Crisco (approximate)

powdered sugar ( approximately 2 lb... I have found that different batches used less, so go by feel not by measurements!) 

2 TB corn syrup (helps with pliability)

1 TB any flavor extract you wish :)

1/4 tsp popcorn salt- or salt ground in a coffee grinder (no I don't drink coffee- but I use the grinder for spices and other such emergencies :))  

2 TB Dream Whip (dry powder) You don't have to use this, but it adds a nice flavor...

(***Please note, if you are coloring the whole batch the same color, you can add it to the original melted marshmallow mixture before putting it in the sugar.)

Let me first say that if you have a KitchenAid or other comparable stand mixer- this is SO much easier :) Use the dough hook, and grease the bowl and the hook before making this recipe... trust me. 

Grease a large bowl (larger than you think you will need because the marshmallows do puff up when cooking) and add the marshmallows and water.  At this time, you can add any flavoring you wish... (vanilla is good, but try 1 tsp almond (clear), 1/2 tsp butter extract (clear), 1/2 tsp lemon extract and 1 tsp vanilla... I know it sounds funny but it's really good :)) Cook in the microwave at 45 second intervals stirring until completely melted. Remove and add the corn syrup. 

Sift half of the powdered sugar, salt and Dream Whip powder onto a piece of waxed paper.  Pour the powdered sugar (remember this is just half) in the greased stand mixer bowl, making a small well in the middle.  Take the marshmallow and add this mixture to the sugar.  

Turn on your stand mixer (LOW of course, unless you want to clean powdered sugar off your walls and ceilings...) and knead the mixture, adding more powdered sugar and the Crisco in small amounts as it is incorporated until you have a soft pliable ball. Pinch a small ball off and play with it- it should be soft and stretchy - be somewhat gentle.  You may take it out of the bowl before this point and knead it by hand so you can get the feel of it as well... I do this to make sure I dont add too much sugar. If you are not coloring the whole batch, you can split it and color the separate balls with your desired color- using gel food colors:)

Once you are done kneading, shape it into a ball and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap (put a very thin coat of shortening over the ball) It's best if you can store it overnight, but I have used it as soon as 3 hours after making it and it's ok.

** If you feel your motor is straining, you have added too much sugar so be careful... (I did blow my Kitchenaid making a batch last Christmas) 

(I used the same recipe with the two cakes in the previous "glitter" post just in case you were wondering :)) Here is the first cake I made with it- for two of the sweetest little 4 year old twins ever!  It is just like Playdough- only more fun- I didn't have a closer picture of the little firefighters in the bottom left corner, sadly, but the firefighters, the hose, and the fire hydrant and all of the decorations on the firetrucks are made of fondant :) One of the birthday boys came up and pointed saying "that's me!" There is nothing like seeing a child's face light up like that... it makes it all so worth it to me!

Hope you all enjoy- and as always Sweet Dreamz to you!!!

Renee :D