Looking to add a unique touch to your cake decoration? Why not try making a garden trowel out of fondant? Fondant is a versatile icing that can be molded into various shapes and designs, making it perfect for creating edible cake toppers. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps of creating a realistic garden trowel out of fondant.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary materials. You will need fondant in various colors like brown, silver, and black for the handle, blade, and details of the trowel. You will also need a rolling pin, cornstarch for dusting, a small paintbrush, and edible glue or water for sticking the fondant pieces together.
Step 2: Shape the Handle
To create the handle of the trowel, roll out a piece of brown fondant into a rope shape. Make sure it is long enough to match the size of your trowel. Use your fingers to taper one end of the rope to resemble the handle’s shape. Set it aside to dry and harden a bit.
Step 3: Form the Blade
Next, take a piece of silver fondant and roll it out into a rectangle. Use a knife or fondant cutter to shape the rectangle into the blade of the trowel. To add texture and realism, use a toothpick to create lines and patterns on the blade’s surface. Allow the blade to dry and harden slightly.
Step 4: Assemble the Trowel
Once both the handle and blade have hardened a bit, it’s time to assemble the trowel. Apply some edible glue or water to the tapered end of the handle and attach it to one end of the blade. Press gently to secure the pieces together. Allow the trowel to dry and set for a few hours before using it as a cake decoration.
Step 5: Add the Details
To complete the realistic look of the garden trowel, you can add some details using black fondant. Roll out a small piece of black fondant into a thin rope shape and wrap it around the handle in a spiral pattern. This will resemble the rubber grip on a real trowel. Use a small paintbrush to brush on some silver luster dust to give the trowel a shiny metallic appearance.
There you have it! You’ve successfully created a garden trowel out of fondant. Now you can place it on top of your cake to add a touch of gardening charm and impress your guests with your cake decorating skills. Enjoy!
Materials for your fondant garden trowel
To create a realistic fondant garden trowel, you will need a few essential materials. These tools and supplies will help you achieve a professional and detailed look for your sugar art.
Fondant:
- Fondant is the main material you will need to make your garden trowel. It is a pliable icing that can be formed into various shapes. Make sure you have enough fondant to create the desired size of your trowel.
Food coloring:
- If you want to add color to your fondant trowel, you will need food coloring. Gel or paste food coloring works best for achieving vibrant and true colors.
Rolling pin:
- A rolling pin is an essential tool for working with fondant. It helps you roll out the fondant evenly and to the desired thickness to create the different parts of your trowel.
Knife or fondant cutter:
- You will need a sharp knife or a fondant cutter to cut out the various shapes required to build your garden trowel. A small, straight-edged knife is best for precise cutting.
Ball tool:
- A ball tool is a useful tool for shaping and thinning out the edges of your fondant pieces. It can be used to create realistic textures and details on the trowel.
Fondant smoother:
- A fondant smoother is handy for achieving a smooth and polished finish on your fondant trowel. It helps to eliminate any wrinkles or imperfections on the surface.
Powdered sugar or cornstarch:
- You will need powdered sugar or cornstarch to dust your work surface and prevent sticking. It is essential for keeping the fondant pliable and easy to work with.
Paintbrush:
- A small paintbrush will come in handy when applying food coloring or edible dust to add realistic finishes and accents to your fondant garden trowel.
These materials will set you on the right path to creating a stunning fondant garden trowel. Get ready to bring your sugar art skills to the garden with this unique and creative design!
Preparing the fondant
Before you can begin shaping the fondant into a garden trowel, you need to prepare it properly. Follow these steps to ensure your fondant is ready for sculpting:
Step 1: Kneading the fondant
Start by kneading the fondant with your hands. This will help to soften it and make it more pliable. If the fondant feels too dry, you can add a small amount of vegetable shortening to moisten it.
Step 2: Coloring the fondant
If you want your garden trowel to have a specific color, now is the time to add food coloring. Use gel or paste food coloring as it won’t water down the fondant. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you achieve the desired shade. Remember to wear gloves to avoid staining your hands.
Optional step: If you want to create a marbled effect, you can leave some parts of the fondant without coloring.
Once you have finished coloring the fondant, knead it again to ensure the color is evenly distributed.
Step 3: Rolling out the fondant
Dust your work surface with powdered sugar or cornstarch to prevent the fondant from sticking. Take a small portion of the fondant and roll it into a ball. Flatten the ball with your hands, and then use a rolling pin to roll it out into a thin, even sheet. Make sure the fondant sheet is large enough to cut out the shape of a garden trowel.
Repeat this step with the remaining fondant, working in small portions to make it easier to handle.
Now that your fondant is prepared, you can move on to shaping it into a garden trowel shape.
Shaping the trowel
Once you have gathered all the necessary materials and prepared your fondant, it’s time to start shaping the trowel.
First, take a small portion of fondant and roll it into a smooth ball. This will be the handle of the trowel. Use your fingers to shape it into a cylindrical shape, making one end slightly thicker than the other. Flatten the thicker end slightly to create a comfortable grip.
Next, take another portion of fondant and roll it into a small oval shape. This will be the blade of the trowel. Use your fingers to flatten one end of the oval, creating a wider shape similar to the tip of a trowel.
Attach the blade to the handle by gently pressing the flattened end of the blade onto the thinner end of the handle, making sure it adheres well. Use your fingers to smooth out any visible seams or edges.
Now, it’s time to add some details to make the trowel look more realistic. Take a small piece of brown fondant and roll it into a thin strip. Attach it to the top edge of the blade, creating a border. This will mimic the metal part of a real trowel.
Finally, use a toothpick or small ball tool to create indentations and texture on the handle and blade, imitating the wood grain and metal texture of a real trowel. Be gentle and precise with your movements to achieve a polished look.
Allow the fondant trowel to dry and harden for a few hours or overnight before using it as a decoration for your cakes or cupcakes. Store it in a cool, dry place to maintain its shape and texture.
Adding Details
Once you have shaped the basic form of your fondant garden trowel, it’s time to add some details to make it look more realistic. Here are some steps to follow:
- Handle: Use a modelling tool to create the texture on the handle of the trowel. Make small diagonal lines on the surface to mimic the look of wood or a textured handle. You can also add small indents or grooves to make it look more authentic.
- Blade: To add texture to the blade of the trowel, use the pointed end of a modeling tool or a toothpick to create small lines or grooves. This will give the illusion of a metal blade. Be careful not to press too hard and distort the shape of the trowel.
- Logo or branding: If you want to add a logo or branding to your trowel, you can use small cut-out fondant shapes or edible decorations. Attach them to the handle or blade using a small amount of edible glue or water.
- Painting: If you want to add color to your trowel, you can use edible paints or food coloring mixed with a bit of water or alcohol. Apply the paint with a small brush to the desired areas, ensuring the paint is fully dry before handling the trowel.
By adding these details, your fondant garden trowel will look more realistic and professional. Have fun with the process and don’t be afraid to get creative!
Final touches for your fondant garden trowel
Once you have shaped and assembled your fondant garden trowel, it’s time to add the final touches to make it look even more realistic. These details will take your creation to the next level and impress your friends and family.
1. Texture and color
To achieve a realistic garden trowel appearance, you can use a texture mat or a small toothpick to create lines and grooves on the surface. This will imitate the texture of a real metal trowel. Additionally, you can use edible food coloring or dust in shades of gray or silver to give your trowel a metallic effect.
2. Handles and logos
Garden trowels often have wooden or rubber handles, which can be easily represented with fondant. Shape a small piece of brown fondant into a cylinder and attach it to the handle of the trowel. You can also add details such as brand logos or markings using edible food-safe markers or by cutting small shapes out of colored fondant and attaching them to the handle.
3. Highlighting and shading
To enhance the depth and realism of your fondant garden trowel, you can use edible petal dust or food coloring powders to add highlights and shadows. Apply a small amount of white or light gray dust to the raised areas of the trowel to create highlights, and use a darker shade such as black or dark gray to add shadows in the grooves and crevices.
4. Edible varnish
To give your fondant garden trowel a shiny and polished appearance, you can apply a thin layer of edible varnish. This will not only make your creation look more professional but also protect it from drying out and cracking. Edible varnish can be found in most baking supply stores or online.
By adding these final touches to your fondant garden trowel, you will create a stunning and realistic edible masterpiece. Whether you use it as a decoration on a cake or as a standalone treat, it will definitely be a showstopper!
