Play dough for mommy

I am honestly not a fondant fan.  I love the look of it but it usually isn't very tasty, in my opinion.  I am also terrible at getting frosting smooth on a cake, so I knew fondant was my only option when I was faced with making my sisters baby shower cake. (see the original post here)  I tried multiple fondant recipes and store bought fondants and didn't like any of them.  I finally ended up morphing several recipes into one to get a flavor I liked.  I've had several friends ask for the recipe so here it is:

Mommy's play dough fondant recipe. 
(because, hello, it's just like playing with play dough!) 


1 16oz package mini marshmallows
splash of water (little less than 1/4 cup
2 tsp clear vanilla (I use Bourbon vanilla, it has AMAZING FLAVOR, but gives it a slight ivory color)
1/4 tsp almond flavor
2 lbs powdered sugar
gel food coloring


Melt marshmallows in microwave safe bowl.  (Glass seems to work the best with the super sticky melted marshmallows.)  Add the water, vanilla and almond flavorings and stir until the liquid is incorporated and a smooth, but sticky batter forms.  If you want your whole batch of fondant colored now is the easiest time to do it.  Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, stirring thoroughly.  When you can no longer stir with a spoon grease your hands with butter and knead the remaining powdered sugar in, reserving 1/2 cup for rolling out the fondant later.  If you wish to color in small batches divide your fondant into smaller balls and make a well in the center, add the gel coloring and fold in sides sealing the coloring in the middle, then knead and knead untili color disperses.  If dough becomes too sticky wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate.  Once colors are blended in wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours or overnight.  When ready to use let warm so it is pliable and roll on a pastry mat dusted with powdered sugar, or mold into your desired shapes.  Don't forget to grease your hands! 

Oh and one last sidenote on fondant, don't forget to frost your cake with regular frosting before your roll out your fondant.  The fondant dries rather quickly and will crack if it sits and dries before going on the cake.  I learned this the hard way.  But I just pulled it off and balled it up and rolled it out again, the frosting that stuck to it just added some moisture back in.

Ok I'm off to work on plans for my grandmas 80th birthday party in July!  Have fun making some sweet creations!