Easy Sugar Paste Santa Cake Decoration

It wouldn't be Christmas without a Santa with his red coat and long beard, Father Christmas is recognisable the world over. 

Easily fashioned out of sugar paste (fondant), this jolly little Santa Claus is fun to make and requires no special equipment to make him just follow this easy step by step guide.

The basic shape was made in a similar way to my sugar paste snowman, though rather than a round ball for the body, I made it a little more oval and narrower at the top so he wasn't too podgy.

Santa is ideal to use as a single topper on Mini Christmas cakes or use with other cake decorations to decorate a larger cake. You could make him a sack from the some red sugar paste or surround him with a few sugar paste parcels. let your imagination go and have fun.

The Ingredients and Equipment 

This fondant Santa requires no special tools or equipment to make as he is mostly shaped by hand.   You will only need things that you likely already have in the kitchen.

White fondant (sugar paste)

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

Coloured fondant (sugar paste)

Red fondant - I recommend you buy this ready coloured.

Black fondant - I recommend you buy this ready coloured.

Pink fondant - you can make this by mixing a little red fondant in with some white.

If you are making a selection of Christmas figures look out for multi-packs of coloured fondant, such as Dr Oetker coloured fondant icing, which I purchased from our local supermarket. It comes in a pack of 5 x 100g of coloured fondants : red, black, yellow, blue and green.

You will also need

Icing sugar - to dust the work surface if required to prevent the fondant sticking.

Sharp knife - non-serrated.

Cocktail Stick  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 'glueing' parts. Boiled water can also be used if you prefer.

How to make a Fondant Santa Step by Step

Step 1

Shape the body- Roll a ball of red fondant icing into a ball, then make it more oval and slightly narrower at the top (egg-shaped).

Step 2

Roll out a little black fondant and cut a thin strip to make a belt. Secure around the centre of the body.

Step 3

For each arm, first, roll a small piece of red fondant 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. Fix the arms into position securing by dampening the fondant very slightly.

Make Santa's boots- Roll two small balls of black fondant and make them narrower at one end.

Step 4

Attach Santa's boots, then take two small pieces of white fondant and roll into balls. Attach to the end of Santa's arms and fluff up with the tip of a cocktail stick or skewer to make a fur effect.

Next, roll two small pieces of pink fondant and shape them into a flattened ball shape for hands. secure to the white fondant. If you like you can snip into the pink a bit to form a thumb as if he was wearing mittens.

Step 5

Take a small ball of white fondant roll so it is thinner at one end and flatten to form his beard. Rough up the fondant with a skewer to give the beard texture.

Step 6

Fix the beard on top of this body, then top with a ball of pink fondant for his head. Make a tiny ball of white fondant and press it onto the centre of his belt.

Step 7

Use another piece of white fondant and form into a moustache shape, press it onto his face, and use a skewer to add texture.

Roll a tiny piece of pink fondant for his nose and two tiny balls of black fondant for his eyes and fix in place

Step 8

Roll a ball of white icing and flatten before pressing on top of his head. This will form the fur trim to his hat.

Step 9

Next, shape a piece of red fondant into a cone. Press your thumb into the base to make a curved dent into the base and then fix it onto the white Fondant on top of his head.

Shape the hat, then roll a small ball of white fondant and fix it on the end of his hat for the bobble. Ruff up the texture of fondant for the bobble and at the base of his hat. Your Santa is now complete.

If you enjoy making these fondant Santa, you might like to try making my fun Choir boy figures which are made in a similar way.

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