Thursday, June 13, 2013

Easy Do-It-Yourself Marshmallow Fondant



This recipe for marshmallow fondant is from Cake Central's website where is has a rating of 9 out of 10!  It was just so good and so easy that I had to share it.

Rhonda's Ultimate Marshmallow Fondant

Ingredients
15 oz. mini marshmallows
2 T water
 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
2 tsp light corn syrup (helps w/ pliability)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp lemon extract
2 lbs (approx 7 C) confectioner’s sugar, sifted
1/2 C Crisco or vegetable shortening

Instructions

  1. Grease microwave proof bowl w/ Crisco. Also grease wooden or heat proof spoon. Pour marshmallows and water into bowl. Microwave for approximately 2 minutes stopping and stirring at 40 second intervals. Mixture should be soupy.
  2. Take out of microwave and immediately add corn syrup, lemon juice, salt and extracts. Stir well. Sift confectioner’s sugar into mixture, one cup at a time. After approximately 5 cups, grease your hands well with Crisco and knead the mixture in the bowl. Add the sixth cup and continue to knead. Now grease your work surface well and turn mixture out of bowl onto counter. Sift remaining sugar, regrease hands, and knead well. If mixture seems soft, add one additional cup of powdered sugar.
  3. Shape into a mound and put a coating of crisco on outside. Double wrap in cling wrap and insert into ziplock bag. Press air out of bag and seal. Allow to rest overnight, but, can be used after sitting for a few hours.


**Quick note, Princess Cake and Cookie emulsion gives this fondant a delicious flavor – even people who reportedly hate fondant like it!

Do you have a favorite cake, cupcake, or frosting recipe that you would like to have featured on our blog?  If so, please send to CupcakeStylist@aol.com.



Thursday, June 6, 2013

Who is making YOUR cake and cupcake toppers?

I have been blessed, truly blessed, to be called upon so many of you to make both standard and custom edible, fondant cake and cupcake decorations for your special celebrations.  Please know that I do not take your business lightly -- there are a number of people out there doing the same thing, and I consider it an honor whenever I am selected to be the one to make your toppers for your event, so thank you!

So when you order from Cupcake Stylist, who is making YOUR toppers?


Deborah Jeffrey, aka "Cupcake Stylist"

MY BACKGROUND

is in fine art, graphic design, children's book illustration, customer service management, marketing, and cake decorating.  I used to paint watercolor and digital portraits of life (of people, pets, places and favorite things), and I enjoyed cake decorating.




Due to an accident, followed by hand surgery, I lost strength and coordination in my dominant hand, and lost my ability to paint or squeeze icing bags.

I am creative soul at heart, so I put behind me the things I couldn't do, and looked forward to the things I could do, and found that working with fondant was both enjoyable and an artistic outlet.

Today working with fondant to create cake and cupcake toppers / decorations has become my passion!  I LOVE WHAT I DO!!!!




MY STUDIO

used to be my art studio, but after a recent renovation, is now my Cake and Cupcake Topper Studio. The light is great and I love the view.  There is a garden just outside the window, and beyond the fence a Eucalyptus grove, the water tower that used to hold water to replenish the old train steam engines, and birds galore.  I just LOVE my working conditions!  The studio is a stand-alone, dedicated outbuilding on our property -- smoke free, pet free, and conforms to California's requirements for a cottage food establishment.

My "topper" making portion of my studio


My clock (from Catching Fireflies.com)


My tools and supplies


Vintage ladies head vases hold my tools



A "Forked Up" art sculpture holds my business cards



Other sections of my studio include my computer station, my shipping station, storage, and everything I need to run my topper business = )

MY COMPLIANCE

is according to the State of California guidelines and requirements for establishments that make and sell food products, and I hold all of the necessary permits, registrations, certificates and insurance.

MY OFFERINGS

I offer three "styles" of toppers for both cupcakes and cakes...

STANDARD toppers -- these are the toppers that I offer in my Etsy shop (www.CupcakeStylist.Etsy.com) and on my website (www.CupcakeStylist.com).  I have already "figured out" HOW to make the various designs, and they are offered at the most economical price.

PERSONALIZED toppers -- these are the toppers that are based on the "standard" designs above, but are personalized to match your color scheme, or to add a name, number, hat, flower, bow, etc. to make it your own.  These designs are a little bit more than the standard items above.

CUSTOM toppers -- these are designed just for you and can be made to match your party theme, color scheme, inspiration photo or board, etc.  Custom designs are developed as you share your vision for an unforgettable cake or cupcakes, to serve as the centerpiece of your special event.  Custom designs include:
A sketch of your design, so you can envision how your final cupcakes and/or cake will look, and regular updates to let you know that all is under control, freeing you up to attend to all of the other details involved in planning an awesome celebration.  Custom toppers are more of a white glove service and as a result are the most expensive.  You can leave the details to me and I will do all that is necessary behind the scenes to ensure that you receive a fabulous, one-of-a-kind sugar art topper or set to grace your cake and/or cupcakes at your special celebration.


MY PROCESS

I am often asked, "How early should I order?" To which I respond, "As early as possible."  And here's why...

I have a full time day job, so I can accept only a limited number of orders each week. As a result, my schedule fills pretty quickly.

When I receive your order, I don't actually make your toppers right then, but add your order to my scheduling calendar.  For orders shipping within the United States, I add your topper order to my calendar to make 2-3 weeks before your event date, and ship out 1 week before your event date.  This ensures that your toppers are the freshest possible, yet have adequate time to dry, which ensures their stability during shipping.  For orders shipping internationally, the time is increased, as the shipping time alone can add an additional 1-2 weeks to the schedule.

Given the above, I recommend ordering a minimum of 5-6 weeks before your event date, but again, you can never order too early.  In fact, I currently have orders scheduled that aren't due to ship for another 4 months.


MY PASSION

Is making edible cake and cupcake decorations to not only free you up to attend to the other details required to make your party memorable, but to give you the means to create a truly fabulous cake and/or cupcakes that will be the talk of your party.

I would be honored to work with you and invite you to contact me to make your fondant dreams come true.

I make it easy for YOU to make it fabulous!


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving, from the Cupcake Stylist

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

I approach this day with a very thankful heart -- Creating fondant cake and cupcake toppers has opened me up to a number of people that I wouldn't have met otherwise, and I want you to know that I appreciate each and every one of you.  Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being involved in your special celebrations of life.  I LOVE what I do, and I don't take it for granted...

Following is a "Happy" card I made when I used to paint.  The inspiration was from my friends David and Melba, who sent a Christmas card in February -- it wished us a Merry Christmas, Happy New Years, Happy Valentine's Day, and a few other special occasions along the way = )  


And so, today, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving...May you and your family be blessed today...and always!

Deborah Jeffrey
Cupcake Stylist
www.CupcakeStylist.com
www.CupcakeStylist.Etsy.com
 


Sunday, November 18, 2012

Cupcake Stylist Fondant Topper of the Day - Jungle Jill Cake topper set

Like the Pink Mod Monkey and Monkey Girl toppers shown yesterday, the "Jungle Jill" fondant toppers by Cupcake Stylist are made to complement "Jungle Jill" party and nursery decorations.  Perfect for the girlie-girl safari themed party...







 
Happy Styling!
Cupcake Stylist
 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Cupcake Stylist Fondant Topper of the Day - Mod Monkey Girl Cake and Cupcake Toppers

This set of is made to complement "Mod Monkey" and "Monkey Girl" baby shower and birthday decorations...




These toppers are available in my Etsy shop (www.CupcakeStylist.Etsy.com)

Thanks for stopping by!

Cupcake Stylist
www.CupcakeStylist.com

Friday, November 16, 2012

Cupcake Stylist Fondant Topper of the Day - Helicopter and Airplanes

This was a fun little set of fondant airplanes, helicopter and name sign made to celebrate Waylon's birthday...

 


 

3" long helicopter pictured on 6" diameter cake tier
 
Thanks for stopping by = )
Deborah
Cupcake Stylist
 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Cupcake Stylist Fondant Topper of the Day - Circus Animals

The following fondant circus animals were made to go with the fondant circus clown featured yesterday.




2" tall fondant circus elephant, monkey, zebra, clown & 3" tall giraffe

by Cupcake Stylist
www.CupcakeStylist.com