Whether you want to surprise your dad, grandpa or an older gentleman in your life, there's no better way than with a modelled version of themselves! Thanks to fondant (also known as sugarpaste) you can create your very own character to stand proudly atop a cake, or as part of a display – perfect for birthdays, retirement celebrations and Father's Day. Simply adjust the skin tone colour to match the recipient.
Please note: As the model is constructed using wooden skewers it's not edible and is for decoration only.
Skill level: intermediate
Top tips!
- Make sure you wash your hands after working with different coloured paste to avoid colour transfer (especially with darker colours like black!).
- Resting the head in a cornflour pouch stops the paste from flattening at the back as you work.
- When shaping the individual fingers, be very gentle, so as not to risk breaking them off as you work.
- When adding the head to the model, you may need to trim the wooden skewer, to make sure it doesn’t poke through the top of the head!
Fancy making more of Grandpa's family? You'll find the below, fun tutorial by Julie Rogerson in the June 2022 issue of Cake Decoration & Sugarcraft magazine – pick up a copy, or subscribe for year-round inspiration!