{Tutorial} Golden Egg Cake Pop

As promised, here's the tutorial on how to make golden egg cake pops!

First you'll need to make two batches of cake, one white and one yellow cake. I then added a small amount of yellow food dye to the yellow cake to enhance the yellow coloring.


Once the cakes are baked and cooled, break up the cake with your fingers and add about 3/4 to 4/5 of a canister of frosting to it to and mix well. I typically remove the harder, crusty edges of the cake before mixing it with the frosting so the cake pop is an even mushy consistency. This is especially important with the white cake. I removed all of the darker colored cake (top, bottom, sides) to keep the cake pop a clean white color. I used a white cream cheese frosting for both my white and yellow cakes. Next, form a small ball with the yellow cake pop mix, slightly larger than a dime in shape. Then grab a small amount of the white cake mix and place the yellow ball on top of it.


Slowly work the white cake pop mix over and around the yellow ball until it's completely covered and mold it into an egg shape. Repeat until you've used up all of one of the cakes (white or yellow). Place the cake pops onto a baking sheet and put them in the fridge to cool. This will make them easier to dip in the candy coating later.


The next step is to attach the lollipop stick to the cake pop. Take a lollipop stick (I use a 4" stick but you can use any size you'd like) and push it into the bottom of the cake pop to create a hole. Then pull it out and dip the end of the lollipop stick into some prepared yellow candy melt (melted per the instructions on the bag). Then reinsert the stick into the cake pop. You can then place it back into the fridge to keep cool while you assemble the rest of the cake pops.


Once all the cake pops have been attached to the sticks. You can then, working in batches, remove them from the fridge and slowly dip each egg into the yellow candy melt. Make sure to cover the entire cake pop, tapping it gently on the edge of the glass to remove any excess candy melt.



Stand each of the cake pops up in some Styrofoam to dry.


Next, take some yellow pearl dust and mix it into a small dish with some lemon juice, water or vodka. You can then paint this onto each of the cake pops to give it a glittery shine. Place the cake pop back into the Styrofoam to dry. Try and put the cake pops as close together as you can to make the next step a little easier.


The final step is to get a small strainer and place some of the dry pearl dust into it. You can then gently sift some of the dust over the top of your drying cake pops. This adds just a bit more glitter to the cake pops. The closer they are together on the Styrofoam the less dust that will be wasted. Make sure to start dusting the cake pops before they've finished drying so that the dust will have something to affix itself to when you sprinkle it over them.



You now have a shiny golden egg cake pop, complete with a yolk center. Enjoy!

{Tutorial} Frosting Glass/Mirrors

So I recently put together a table for Celebrations at Home's Vendor Challenge with a citrus theme. I decided to do something different than the standard banners on dessert tables. I found some super cheap full length mirrors at Target ($4.99 each) and I added my own custom frosted designs to them.


I wanted to share the super easy tutorial for decorating your own glass and mirrors. The first step is selecting the item you want to frost and then making sure it's completely clean and dry.

The next step is easiest if you own a machine like a Cricut. Even if you don't you can purchase vinyl cutouts of shapes and letters to create the design. I used my Cricut to cut lemon circles, a monogram and the wedding date into some vinyl. Next, remove all the vinyl that you want to have frosted onto your glass. In this example I removed all of the letters and numbers.

The white is the remaining vinyl and the blue is where I removed it

Next, just peel off the vinyl and affix it to the surface you'd like to frost. If the image you are using is delicate, large or has "floating" pieces of vinyl in the design (such as the center of the "&") which might be difficult to place exactly I recommend using transfer paper to move the vinyl from the backing to your project.


Once your design is placed just as you'd like it. Get out a small paint brush and your glass etching cream. I picked up "Armour Etch" from Michaels. It's a small 3 ounce jar but it goes a long way. I did all 3 of these mirrors and 3 other small projects and still have enough left for maybe 2 more small projects.


Using the paintbrush I brush the areas I want frosted with a thick layer of the cream. Make sure it's a good thick layer, otherwise you can get uneven patches. If you're frosting glass (instead of a mirror) I usually look at the backside to see if I missed any areas.

At this point all you do is wait. Follow the instructions on bottle of etching cream you purchased for how long you should wait. My brand suggested 5 minutes but I left it on for at least 15. Once it's ready just rinse it with water and remove the vinyl!


This project also works well as a gift idea. I frosted a trifle container for my mom as a mother's day gift and a casserole dish for my brother and his wife with images from their wedding invitation as a house warming present. The sky's the limit! Happy frosting everyone!

{Tutorial} Lollipop Wand

Okay here's a super quick and easy tutorial for anyone interested in making their own lollipop wands.


Photo by Next Exit Photography
First you're going to need a dowel (approximately 3/16" thick and 12" long) and two foam sheets, one standard and one with an adhesive backing in any colors of your choosing. If you'd like you can spray paint your dowel to any color before starting to assemble the wands or you may leave it blond. In this tutorial I've spray painted my dowel blue.


Next find a round object to use as a template for your lollipop. I used a pot that was approximately 5" in diameter. Place the pot on each foam sheet and trace the shape with a pen or pencil. I used a glittered adhesive foam sheet so I traced on the backside of the sheet since the front side is difficult to trace on due to the bumpy texture of the glitter.


After you've traced your circles cut them out with standard scissors. You will be left with two circles of equal size preferably in different colors.

Next take the foam circle with the adhesive backing and starting from any point on the circle start cutting a spiral shape. Once you've cut to the center backtrack and cut a spiral parallel to the first until you reach the outside of the circle again. Your spiral should look like the one below.


You can then separate the spiral shapes so that you have two, a larger spiral and a smaller spiral.


You can then remove the adhesive backing of either of these spirals and and place it over the standard foam circle you made earlier. You may wish to use only one of these spirals or both depending on your preference. If you choose to use both you'll need twice as many standard circles as circles with adhesive backs.


You can then flip your lollipop swirl over and hot glue the dowel to the backside of the foam.


You now have a finished wand! These work great as party favors, ground stakes, centerpieces or anything else you can imagine for them!

{Tutorial} Bumble Bee Cake Pops

One of my friends sent me a wonderful video tutorial by Mayen of Way Beyond Cakes to make adorable fondant bumble bees. This video inspired me to attempt something similar with cake pops. Cake pops weren't quite as easy to work with but in the end I was very happy with the final product.

#1) Gather all of your ingredients.
- 1 batch of basic cake balls in an oval shape
- 4" lollipop sticks
- Yellow candy melts
- 1 Styrofoam sheet


#2) Melt your candy. I fill my glass up with candy melts and microwave it at 50% power for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. I then stir the mixture thoroughly. If your candy doesn't fully melt after stirring it for about 30 seconds, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds again at 50% power.

#3) Put a stick in it. Next I take one of the lollipop sticks and stick it into the bottom of one of the cake ovals. I then pull the stick out and dip it into the candy and reinsert it back into the hole I just made in the cake oval. I repeat this for all of the cake ovals and then put them back into the fridge.




#5) Cake pop. The next step I do in batches of about 10 cake pops, while I keep the rest in the fridge so they don't get too warm while I work. I dip each cake pop into the candy so that it is completely covered. I then gently tap the cake pop on the edge of the glass, slowly turning it, to remove any excess candy coating. Then stick your cake pop into some Styrofoam until it dries.

#6) Gather your decorating supplies.
- Black and white fondant
- Rolling pin
- Decorating brush and small dish with water
- Roller to make parallel lines or a long knife
- Icing tip 5


#7) Prep your bee parts. Roll out your black fondant to about 1/16"-1/8" thickness. Using the smaller hole of your icing tip, punch out two small circles for each cake pop you prepared. You may need to use a toothpick to pop the circles out from the icing tip if they get stuck. Next cut the remainder of the fondant into strips about 4" long (or whatever length will wrap around the cake pop that you created). Again you will need two strips for each cake pop. You might want to do this step in batches as well since your fondant will start to dry out and get brittle if it sits out for too long.


#8) Stripes and eyes. Next, dip your decorating brush in your water and brush one side of a stripe.


Then pick up the fondant strip and place it around the cake pop, removing any excess length. Repeat this step to adhere the small circles in the place of the eyes as well.


#9) Wings. Next roll out the white fondant to about 1/8" thickness. Using the larger opening of the icing tip, punch circles out of the white fondant (two per cake pop). You can then use a fondant shaper or your finger to make a small indent in the center of the circle. Squeeze each circle slightly on one end so that it has a slight point on one side. Brush the bottom side (side without the indent) of two of the white circles with water and place them side by side on top of the cake pop in the wing position. This completes your bee pop!

Finally here is the original video tutorial by Mayen. She does an amazing job showing you how to execute all the steps.


I actually used some fondant bees on wires (created by Fenella Higgins) to decorate my topiaries!


As an alternative to fondant, you could also pipe on the stripes,eyes and even a cute little smiley face using royal icing.

{Tip} How to Address Wedding Invitations

Here's a post for all the brides questioning the proper etiquette in regards to their wedding invitations.

Outer Envelope
The outer envelope should always be addressed by hand. The address is typically centered neatly with the guest name(s) and address on the front. Your return address would be printed on the back side at the top center of the flap.

Abbreviations should be avoided. The words Apartment, Post Office Box, Street, etc. and East, West, North and South should be spelled out as well as the name of the city and state. Single digit street numbers should be spelled out (i.e. One, Two, etc.).

Formal first names should always be used (i.e. Daniel not Dan). Use a comma before Sr. or Jr. as Mr. John Smith, Jr. Do not use a comma before the roman numerals II or III when it follows a name. The name should read Mr. John Smith III. If the capital letter "I" doesn't look like the roman numeral one in the script typeface being used, write it out as Mr. John Smith the Third or eliminate the suffix all together.

Here is a helpful chart in determining the proper way to address your guests on the outer envelope:

Single Guests

Unmarried Female	"Miss Emily Smith" or "Ms. Emily Smith"
Divorced Female, kept married name (Smith)	"Mrs. Emily Smith" or "Ms. Emily Smith"
Divorced Female, back to married name (Smith)	"Ms. Emily Smith"
Widowed Female	"Mrs. Emily Smith" or "Mrs. John Smith"

Children

Children under 18 if using an inner envelope	*Do not list children under 18 on the outer envelope if using an inner envelope. Only list the parents.
Children under 18 if using one envelope	"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith Daniel Smith and Emily Smith" *List from oldest to youngest
Children under 18 if using one envelope, more formal	"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith Mr. Daniel Smith Miss Judy Smith" or "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith Messrs. Daniel and Elliot Smith" or "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith Misses Judy and Mary Smith" *List from oldest to youngest
Child 18 and over	"Miss Emily Smith" *Children 18 and over should receive their own invitation.

Couples

Unmarried couples who do not live together	"Miss Emily Smith" *Only list the guest living at the address
Unmarried couples who live together	"Miss Emily Smith and Mr. John Jones" or "Miss Emily Smith Mr. John Jones"
Married couples	"Mr. And Mrs. John Smith"
Married Couple, kept maiden name	"Ms. Emily Smith and Mr. John Jones"
Married Couple, with hyphenated last name	"Ms. Emily Smith-Jones and Mr. John Jones"
Same sex Couples (list alphabetical)	"Mr. Fred Smith and Mr. John Jones"

Professional Degree, such as Doctor

Married Couple, she has a professional title and he does not.	"Doctor Emily Smith and Mr. John Smith"
Married Couple, he has a professional title and she does not.	"Doctor and Mrs. John Smith"
Married Couple, both are doctors	"Doctor Emily Smith and Doctor John Smith" or "The Doctors Smith"
Married Couple, both are doctors with different last names	"Doctor Emily Smith and Doctor John Jones"
Married Couple, he is a doctor and she kept her maiden name	"Doctor John Jones and Ms. Emily Smith and Doctor John Jones"
Non-medical PhD	*This title is not generally noted in formal addressing
Judge	"The Honorable and Mrs. John Smith"
Reverend (or Rabbi, etc)	"The Reverend and Mrs. John Smith" or "Reverend and Mrs. John Smith"
Attorneys	*Esquire is not used after a name on formal invitations.

Military

He is a commissioned officer (General)	"General and Mrs. John Smith"
He is a non-commissioned officer or enlisted man	"Mr. And Mrs. John Smith"
He is a retired commissioned officer (General)	"General (Ret.) and Mrs. John Smith"
She is a commissioned officer, he is not	"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" or "Captain Emily Smith and Mr. John Smith"

Inner Envelope
Traditionally formal invitations used an outer envelope and an inner envelope. Today this is not a requirement for a formal invitation. The inner envelope with its invitation is placed in the mailing or "outer" envelope The guest name is placed in the center of the face side of the inner envelope.

It is also acceptable to use family or first names on the inside envelopes in cases where the recipients are close friends or family (i.e. "Uncle John and Aunt Emily", or "Emily and John Smith", or simply "Emily and John").

Here is a chart on determining how to list your guests on the inner envelope:

Single Guests

Unmarried Female	"Miss Smith and Guest" or "Ms. Smith and Guest"
Divorced Female, kept married name (Smith)	"Mrs. Smith and Guest" or "Ms. Smith and Guest"
Divorced Female, back to married name (Smith)	"Ms. Smith and Guest"
Widowed Female, recently widowed	"Mrs. Smith"
Widowed Female	"Mrs. Smith and Guest"

Children

1 Child under 18	"And Emily"
Children under 18	"Emily and John" *List from oldest to youngest
Child 18 and over	"Miss Smith and Guest"

Couples

Unmarried couples who do not live together	"Miss Smith Mr Jones"
Unmarried couples who live together	"Miss Smith Mr Jones"
Married couples	"Mr. And Mrs. Smith" or "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, John and Emily"
Married Couple, kept maiden name	"Mrs. Smith and Mr. Jones"
Married Couple, with hyphenated last name	"Mrs. Smith-Jones and Mr. John Jones"
Same sex Couples (list alphabetical)	"Mr. Smith and Mr. John Jones"

Professional Degree, such as Doctor

Married Couple-She has a professional title and he does not.	"Doctor Smith and Mr. Smith"
Married Couple, both are doctors	"The Doctors Smith"
Married Couple, both are doctors with different last names	"Doctor Smith and Doctor Jones"
Judge	"Judge and Mrs. Smith"
Reverend (or Rabbi, etc)	"Reverend and Mrs. Smith"

Military

He is a commissioned officer (General)	"General and Mrs. Smith"
He is a non-commissioned officer or enlisted man	"Mr. and Mrs. Smith"
He is a retired commissioned officer (General)	"Mr. and Mrs. Smith"
She is a commissioned officer, he is not	"Mr. and Mrs. Smith" or "Captain Smith and Mr. John Smith"

RSVP Envelope
The Response Card or RSVP is an item included with your invitation that is used by your guests to let you know if they will be attending your event. The response card envelope is usually pre-stamped with the appropriate postage. You can save little money by choosing a postcard style RSVP. You won't need to pay for envelopes and the postage will be cheaper.

The RSVP date should be one or two weeks prior to when you must notify your caterer of a head count. It is not uncommon for guests to forget to fill in the response card before returning it to you. It is a good idea to pencil in a small number on the reverse side of the card. This number would correspond to a number on your guest list, which in turn would enable you to identify who it is from should they have forgotten to fill it in. You can also pre-fill in the RSVP card with the Guests name which could also double as an indicator as to whom is invited -- "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe and Family", when an inside envelope is not being used.

It is acceptable to place a phone number or e-mail address on the RSVP card to receive responses via the telephone or internet.

Mailing Invitations
Four to eight weeks before the event is the general rule for mailing your invitations to ensure your guests receive their invitations and are able to respond with sufficient time.

Any envelope weighing over 1 oz., having an irregular shape (square, not flat because of adornments like bows, etc.), extremely large size, or smaller than 3 1/2"x5" will require extra postage, as well as invitations being sent out of the country. It is best to check with your postal service to determine the correct charges before mailing. Prior to shipping all of your invitations, consider putting a complete assembly together and having it weighed and sized at the post office to determine proper postage.

{Tutorial} Zebra Cookie Pops

At last I have the tutorial that I promised all of you for the zebra pattern cookie pops from my Zzzebra Slumber Party. These were very easy and inexpensive to make and really pop on a dessert table. Of course the most important quality ... they're yummy! I received a ton of compliments and my husband kept asking me how many I really needed for the party so he could steal a few extra.


#1) Gather all of your ingredients.
-1 package of double stuff cream filled chocolate cookies, such as Oreo
(Don't use the single stuff because there isn't enough room for the lollipop stick)
- 2 packages white candy melts
- 1 tall thin glass
- 1 Styrofoam sheet
- 2 tubes of black colored decorating gel
- 4" lollipop sticks (if you'd like to decorate the stick with a ribbon, as I did, check out Hostess with the Mostess' tutorial, which is where I got the idea. I recommend doing this step first to prevent any glue from getting on your cookie)


#2) Prepare your cookies. Pull apart all of the cookies so they are lying open faced in front of you. Make sure to keep all the matching top and bottoms together.

#3) Melt your candy. I fill my glass up with candy melts and microwave it at 50% power for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. I then stir the mixture thoroughly. If your candy doesn't fully melt after stirring it for about 30 seconds, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds.

#4) Create your cookie pop. Dip one end of a lollipop stick into the melted candy.


Place the end with the candy into the cream filling of one of the cookies and replace the top. Set the cookie aside so that the candy can cool. Do this for all the cookies.


#5) Candy coat your cookie. If you're making an entire package of cookies, by the time you finish inserting all the lollipop sticks, the cookies which have been sitting the longest will be ready for dipping. Pick up the cookie by the stick and dip it into the melted candy. Make sure the entire cookie is covered.


When you pull the cookie out tap it a few times on the edge of the glass to remove any excess melted candy. Then stick your cookie into the Styrofoam to dry.


If you candy level is too low to fully coat the cookie, stop and melt some more candy in your microwave.

Once all of your cookies are covered if you're not happy with the smoothness of the coating you can dip your cookies a second time to get a smoother look. White candy melts won't cover a chocolate cookie as nicely as another color. For my party I dipped each cookie twice. It also depends on your taste as well. Some people prefer not to have such a heavy candy coating and prefer the taste of the single dipped cookies.

#6) Zebra stripes! Now it's time to add the final touch to the cookie. Get out your black decorating gel and squeeze on zebra stripes. I recommend looking at some examples of zebra stripes to see how they look and what pattern you'd like to use on your cookie.


For fun you can swap up the colors! Try picking out a fun color of candy melt instead of white or pick out a different color of decorating gel to give your zebra cookie a bit of pop. I used a black decorating gel with some glitter in the Zzzebra party to give my cookies some glam. Have fun and enjoy!

{Tip} How to Change Your Name

I wanted to write up a little "how to" for all the brides and newlyweds out there. Most women still choose to change their last name after the wedding, whether it be taking their husband's name or hyphenating it. Changing your name is one of those tasks that can get put on the back burner. It's something most of us have never done before getting married, so it's a big unknown. After planning a big exciting wedding, researching what needs to be done to change your name isn't nearly as much fun. So make a New Year's resolution to get it done and hopefully this post can help make it a breeze!



If you haven't gotten married yet there are a few items that you can take care of before the wedding.

1) Tell your employer
-Change your work email address
-Order new business cards

2) Reserve new personal email addresses, if you'd like one with your married name (Yahoo!, Google, Hotmail, etc)

3) Make your honeymoon reservations using your MAIDEN name. You won't have identification in your new name until a few months after you are married.

4) Determine how many marriage license copies you will need for your name change. Usually just 1 or 2 extra will suffice since an unofficial copy of the license is all that is usually needed for most companies. It's very easy to request extra copies when you send off for the original so make sure you get enough to save yourself the hassle of requesting more at a later date.

After your wedding it usually takes a few weeks for your marriage license to arrive in the mail. Once you receive it, you can start the process of changing your name.

1) Social Security Card
-This link will take you to the SS-5 form.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf
With this form you will also need your official marriage license you can then mail this off or take it to your local Social Security office to get your new card.

2) DMV
-Driver's license
-Car registration
-Check with you local DMV and see if they need your new Social Security Card, if not you can do this with just your marriage license. Here's the link for the California DMV website:
http://dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm

3) Passport
-The form you need is dependent on how recent your current passport was issued. You will also most likely need to get new photos taken and need to send in your current passport. You can check all the requirements at this link:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/correcting/ChangeName/ChangeName_851.html

4) Employer/School
-Make sure you HR department or your school administration has made all the necessary changes in their system.

5) Bank accounts
-Make your name changes on all of your accounts.
-Order new checks with your new name.
-If you go with your husband you can also add each other to any accounts that you'd like to have you both listed on or open new any new joint accounts.

6) Insurance policies
-Home/Life/Car/etc.
-Change everything to your new name and request benefactor changes if you'd like them to list your husband. Don't forget to remind your husband to do the same for any policies he wants to list you as the benefactor.

7) Credit cards
-Again change your name and add your husband (or open a new card) to your existing account if you'd like to.

8) Creditors/Bills
-Utilities/School Loans/Mortgages/Car Loans/etc.

9) Membership organizations
-Voter Registration (forms available at your county elections office, library, or U.S. Post Office)
-Frequent Flier Programs
-Paypal
-Any other clubs or organizations you are registered with

10) Stationery, if you like to use stationery with your name printed on it

{Tutorial} Ghostly Cupcakes

So my good friend Gwynn over at Gwynn Wasson Designs asked me to make these ghost cupcakes for one of her Halloween tables (next week I'll share pictures of how she incorporated them into her amazing design). I was super excited to help her out! The original idea came from Martha Stewart. She has a tutorial on her site, but I modified it a bit to make the assembly a bit easier and of course added pictures.


Ingredients
1) 1 box of cake mix (flavor of choice)
2) Standard and small cupcake tins
3) 1 canister of frosting (flavor of choice)
4) 2 lbs of white fondant
5) Black fondant, or black icing coloring
6) Water and a small brush

Follow the instructions on the box of cake mix for baking cupcakes. Make an equal number of standard and small cupcakes. I use cupcake liners for my standard sized cupcakes so it's easier to handle them once assembled. I recommend baking them at 25 degrees less than the box recommends (so if the box recommends 350 degrees I'll set it to 325 degrees). This will require a longer baking time but the cupcakes will bake up flatter and more evenly.



Next I take one standard sized cupcake and one small cupcake and I cut the tops off of each one.


I then take the icing and spread a thick layer onto the top of each cupcake. I prefer to pipe my icing using a 12 or 2A tip, but spreading it on with a knife or spatula will work just as well.


Next turn the small cupcake upside down and place it on top of the standard size cupcake so that the two layers of icing are touching.


Then spread more icing over the small cupcake so that it's fully covered. Again you can pipe this or spread it with a knife.


You're now ready for the fondant! If you haven't used fondant before it's very easy. It's very similar to play dough in consistency. You can either make your own fondant or buy one premade like Wilton's. Premade is easier but more much expensive and in my opinion not as tasty as a homemade fondant. I prefer to make a homemade marshmallow fondant when I have the time (see below for the recipe).

Roll out your fondant with a rolling pin until you get your desired thickness (about 1/8"-1/4"). Then cut a 6" circle out. I used a 6" round cake board to get a perfect circle.



Once you have your circle of fondant, pick it up and drape it over the top of your cupcake tower. You can then arrange the bottom of the fondant into the soft folds of the ghost. If it's not long enough play with the edges a bit to thin out the fondant and create a bit more length.


Next, you will need a small amount of black fondant. If you didn't buy it premade you can make some by adding black icing coloring to the white fondant. I recommend wearing some gloves while kneading the color into the fondant unless you don't mind staining your hands. Start with a little coloring and add more as you knead it until you get the desired color.

Then, break off a tiny bit of the black fondant and roll it into a circle in your hands. Flatten it with a finger so you have a small disc of black fondant. Take your brush and dip it into the water and brush it onto the backside of the fondant disc. Place the disc onto the ghost where you'd like the mouth to be located. Repeat this step two more times for the eyes with slightly less fondant. You can also use chocolate covered sunflower seeds but these you should affix with royal icing and I think it's easier just to make some black fondant instead of a batch of royal icing. Plus with fondant you can get creative and make different shaped mouths and eyes!



Marshmallow Fondant
1 lb white mini marshmallows
2-5 tbsp water
2 lbs powdered sugar
½ cup vegetable shortening

Place marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave the marshmallows on high for 30 seconds. Stir the mixture and microwave again on high for 30 seconds and stir again. Continue doing this until the mixture has melted, usually about 2½ minutes.

Place ¾ cup of the powdered sugar on top of the melted marshmallow mixture. Now generously grease your hands with the shortening (palms, backs of hand, and in between fingers), then heavily grease the counter you will be using and dump the marshmallow mixture onto it.

Knead the marshmallows as you would bread. Add the rest of the powdered sugar slowly and continue kneading the fondant. Re-grease your hands and counter as needed. If the mixture is tearing easily, it is too dry, so add ½ tablespoon of water at a time until it softens up. It usually takes about 8 minutes to get a firm smooth elastic ball.

Double wrap the fondant in plastic wrap and let it sit overnight.

Prepare the fondant for storing by coating it with a good layer of shortening, wrap in a plastic wrap or Ziploc bag.