Fondant for Beginners: How to Make a Fondant Bow

The easiest and simplest way to add "wow" to your fondant cake is by adding a fondant bow. It is so versatile and is the perfect touch for elegant wedding cakes, baby shower cakes, wrapped gift-box cake and basically, any design needing that "celebration" feel.

The bow can be done by using fondant or gumpaste. I always use fondant and add just a little bit of Gum Tex to help my fondant to dry quicker.

You can always color your fondant or gumpaste to the shade you want. Just roll fondant or gumpaste into a ball, kneading until it's soft and pliable. Using a toothpick, add dots of icing color in several spots.Knead color into your ball until it is evenly bleaded.

I was about to throw out this leftover chocolate fondant I made weeks ago but decided to play with it before I do. So, please pardon the cracks that you see on the photos.


TOOLS

• Fondant or Gumpaste
• Smooth work surface or Rolling Mat
• Rolling Pin
• Clean stocking filled with Powdered Sugar (see video)
• Ruler
• Pizza cutter or Ribbon cutter/Embosser (to cut and emboss with designs)
• Paper Towel
• Metal Spatula to help lift off stuck Fondant
• Decorator Brush

INSTRUCTIONS

• Roll out the paste using a rolling pin to about 1/8" thickness. Here's where you can get extra creative by using an impression mat or a textured rolling pin to get those imprinted bows you see on professional cakes.

• Using a pizza cutter and with the ruler as a guide, cut 2 rectangular shapes of about 2" by 5". This measurement is only a guide you can make smaller or larger bows than this. You can also use the Wilton Ribbon Cutter/Embosser set to make a fancier bow.

 

• Brush one side of the rectangle with water. 

• Make some kind of a tube with the paper towel by rolling or folding it over. You will insert this inside the rectangle to open up the bow.

• Fold the rectangle from one end to the other and pinch the ends together. Fold the rectangle from one end to the other and pinch the ends together. 

• Make the tails of the ribbon bows by cutting 2 more rectangles. The width should be the same as the loops but the length can vary depending on the look that you want to achieve. Cut a V-shape on one end if you want a fish tail end. You can also cut it on a 45 degree angle. Pinch the uncut ends together. Cover the tails with plastic sheet over it to avoid drying too fast.

• For the "knot" middle of the bow, cut a piece roughly 2" by 2". Fold the two ends about 1/4" inside.

• Turn it over and make some creases in the middle. 

• Place the pinch sides of the loop facing each other. Brush the underside of the small piece of fondant with water or gum glue. Place it on top of the pinched ends of the loop and tuck it underneath.

• Let the finish bow dry until it holds it shape. Brush it with pearl dust to add some sparkle. 

• Place the tails on the cake. Then set the bow on top of the tails by using buttercream or royal icing. 

WATCH AND LEARN

Here's a video I watched that gave me a clear idea on how to make a fondant bow.

Fondant Cake Decorating - Making a Bow

Other posts in this series:

• Tools to start decorating with Fondant
• How to make home-made Marshmallow Fondant
• Preparing your cake to be covered in Fondant
• How to cover cake with Fondant