“I’m borrrrrred!  There’s nothing to dooooooo!”  If you have heard that plenty this summer and are looking for a few last things to do before the  kids head back to school then this will be sure to please!

But one of the most kid and mom-friendly activities ever is to whip up a batch of this incredibly easy marshmallow fondant, and spend a summer afternoon making cakes and molding custom decorations with your kids.  It’s easy enough for even toddlers to help color and cut the fondant, requiring the very skills they’ve learned while mooshing together mounds of play-doh, and is equally enjoyable for tots and tweens.  Better yet, you’re just minutes away from having a kitchen table full of happy summer kids.

Marshmallow Fondant
1 8 oz. bag of marshmallows
2 Tbsp. water
1-2 lbs powdered sugar

Pour the marshmallows in a large, microwave-safe bowl and pour the water over the top of the marshmallows.  Microwave for 1-2 minutes, until the marshmallows become very puffy (but not burnt and sizzling).  Stir the marshmallows until smooth.  Add in the powdered sugar a little at a time (use a little bit of Crisco to keep your spoon from sticking to the dough).  Add just enough powdered sugar to make the dough non-sticky and pliable.  *One batch of this fondant will ice approximately one 9-inch cake.

Separate the fondant dough into several pieces.  Invite your kiddos to color the fondant by kneading in gel food coloring until desired consistencies have been reached.

To ice cakes with your prepared fondant: Prepare several small cakes or cupcakes, allowing them to cool before icing.  Roll fondant out, using a rolling pin, until approximately 1/8?-1/4? thick.  Frost each cake with a small amount of buttercream frosting.  Immediately drape rolled marshmallow fondant over buttercream layer on cake.  Use scissors or a sharp knife to trim any mangy edges.

Decorate cakes by rolling out additional marshmallow fondant, and using cookie cutters to cut shapes (or encourage your kids to mold free-hand–playdoh style), using buttercream to “glue” small pieces of marshmallow onto your cake.

Be sure to take photos of your kids creations before eating them!  They are certain to be proud of their incredible, adorable masterpieces!