Easy Fondant Snowman Cake Decoration

These easy-to-make fondant snowman cake decorations make great toppers for cakes, large and small.  Follow the step by step guide. They can easily be customised to your own ideas and are great fun to create.

The snowmen are easy to make and require no special tools or equipment. They are ideal to use as a single topper on Mini Christmas cakes but will also work well in larger quantities or combined for larger cakes. They look great arranged with some fondant snowballs ready for a snowball fight.

I've dressed Frosty with a matching green hat and scarf combo,  but use whatever colour you prefer or have available.  If making several snowmen, it would be fun to give them different coloured hats and scarves 

The Ingredients and Equipment 

Unless you are a prolific cake decorator, then it is likely that you only have a few tools and equipment for such activities.  Happily, though, these snowmen require no special equipment as the bulk of the shaping is done by hand.   You will only need things that you likely already have in your kitchen, such as a rolling pin and sharp knife, to complete the figures.

White fondant

You can buy fondant icing from most large supermarkets and food stores as well as from specialist cake decorating suppliers and online

Coloured fondant

You can either colour your own white fondant to the required colour or you can also get for packs of coloured fondant. This negates the need to buy different food colouring gels and saves on time.

As you only need small amounts of the coloured fondant, look out for multi-packs, such as Dr Oetker coloured fondant icing, which I purchased from our local supermarket. It comes in a pack of 5 colours: red, black, yellow, blue and green. 

This pack of coloured fondants weighed a total of 500g, which together with some white fondant, was more than enough to fashion several snowmen and some of my other figures, such as Santa or cute penguins.

A  little red and yellow fondant can be combined to create an orange for the snowman's nose.

You will also need

Icing sugar - to dust the worksurface to prevent the fondant sticking.

Sharp knife - non-serrated.

Cocktail Stick - to shape mouth

Or Fondant Modelling Tools (Optional)-  I purchased a set of plastic modelling tools cheaply, just a pound or two, from our local supermarket, though of course, you could spend a great deal more if you want.  They are also readily available cheaply online, I used just one or two of the tools.  They helped to prevent fingerprints from spoiling the character when repositioning something or ensuring a shape had adhered properly.

Rolling pin - Fondant rolling pins are super smooth to prevent marks from being left on the fondant and are smaller than a regular baking rolling pin, making them easier to handle when rolling small pieces of fondant, but a regular rolling pin will suffice.

Small paint brush -  Keep one to use specifically for food preparation only.

Clear alcohol - For 'gluing' parts. Boiled water can also be used if you prefer.

Edible glitter or dusting powders -  These are optional. I like to use them as a little extra shimmer and sparkle to add to the festive look.

How to make the Fondant Snowman Step by Step

Step 1

Shape the body and arms - Roll a ball of fondant icing for the snowman's body and a smaller ball for his head. For each arm, first, roll a small piece into a ball, then elongate it to form a sausage shape, and finally, roll it so that it is thinner at one end. Check for size against the body. Repeat with another piece of fondant.

Step 2

Fix the arms into position securing by dampening the fondant very slightly. Set the head aside. We will come back to that later, I like to roll the white fondant first before moving on to the coloured fondant.

Step 3

Make the scarf - Roll out a small piece of coloured fondant thinly and cut the a strip for the scarf. Check the length, then use a sharp knife to cut tassels at each end.

Step 4

Fix the scarf onto the body.

Step 5

Make the hat - Cut a thin strip of coloured icing, then roll a tiny piece into a ball which will form the hat's bobble. Next, take a small ball of coloured fondant and flatten it into a circle before pressing it onto the snowman's head.

Step 6

Fix the thin strip of fondant around the edge of the circle of fondant to form the rim of the hat. Then stick the bobble on top.

Step 7

Place the head of the snowman on top of his body secure by dampening the fondant. Roll two tiny pieces of back fondant for his eyes and a small piece of orange fondant into a carrot shape for his nose.

Step 8

Fix the eyes and nose onto the snowman, and make sure you do not dampen the fondant too much, or the colour will run. To complete the snowman use a cocktail stick or modelling tool to mark his mouth into a smile.

Have fun making your snowmen and if you enjoy making them you might like to try one of my other figures Santa, Penguins or Choir boys.

You could make a fun cake with snowmen on one side and penguins on the other having a snowball fight! Just let your imagination run free.

Pin for Later