After posting the Teddy Bear Picnic cake and the How to Make Fondant Basketweave Tutorial, the question that's been most asked is how to make a fondant checkered blanket like the teddy bear was sitting on. So here it is.. How to Make a Fondant Checkered Blanket.
This is another tutorial that's fairly easy to pull together with some basic supplies! Nothing really special needed (just the way I like it).
Here's what you'll need:
- White and red fondant (I used homemade marshmallow fondant for the white and Satin Ice Red Vanilla)
- Clear Quilting Ruler (you could get by without this, but I use it often and it's an inexpensive tool)
- Pastry Wheel
- Rolling Pin
- Miniature Square cutter
- Shortening (or you could use sugar glue, but it might get messy)
How to Make a Fondant Checkered Blanket
Step 1:
First, you're going to need to know what size you want your blanket to be. For today's tutorial, I was going to put it on a 4" round (dummy) cake. I wanted the corners of the blanket to hang down about an inch on the sides of the cake, so I opted to do a blanket approximately 5" square. Using my clear acrylic sewing ruler and a small pastry wheel, I cut out a 5" square.
Step 2:
Next I covered the square with a thin layer of shortening. It looks pretty thick below, but I did that just so you could see it in the picture. I wiped it down with a paper towel after the picture and left only a thin coat.
Note: you could also use sugar glue to do this, but I don't recommend it. Personally, I think it would be a mess and it would be difficult to shift the squares around to get them just right... but you can give it a try if you like the idea better!
Step 3:
Roll out red and white fondant (or whatever colors you want for your blanket). I rolled it pretty thin - but not so thin that it would stretch and tear or get distorted when moved.
Step 4:
Using a tiny square cutter (mine is between half an inch and an inch square), cut out lots of squares for the blanket. I didn't count or calculate how many I'd need, I just cut out a bunch and got started.
Step 5:
Now just start lining them up on the blanket - alternating colors. The shortening will act as a adherent, but it's not so sticky that you can't shift them around if needed.
Step 6:
When you get it completely covered, you may have to trim the edges a bit if the squares don't completely line up with the edge of the square underneath.
Step 7:
At this point, I use my rolling pin to gently roll over the blanket. I try to not squish it too much, just enough to smooth everything out.
Step 8:
Now it's as simple as this... lay it over the top!
When you begin to smooth down the corners, the squares may pull apart a bit (see below), but because they're not firmly attached, you can smooth them and adjust them to get it looking nice.
Step 9:
Once it's all smoothed and the squares are lined up - you're done!
For this cake, I wanted to add something to give it a finished look, so I made a "1" from white chocolate and covered it in disco dust to use as a topper on my little (fake) cake. The tutorial for this is also coming soon!
And that's it.... this is how I made the fondant checkered blanket for the teddy bear picnic blanket!
Do you have any questions about making this blanket? Leave me a comment and I'll see if I can help!
Yaneri
YEY!!!
I LOVE IT when you are in “tutorial mode” hahaha!!!
Thanks for doing this tutorial Rose!
Can't wait to see the other ones you have planned!!!!
Rose
🙂 Love ya Yaneri - you know I had you in mind!
Yaneri
Awwww, honey! You are so sweet! Thank u for thinking of me!!! Your the best!!!!
I have a Cars Lightning McQueen I have to make, an actual car cake! I've been googling and have some kind of idea. I even looked at your Truck cake tutorial! Learning how to carve is what scares me!! I'm so anxious when the time comes when I'm about to make it. So Scared I may take off more that what i'm supose and what the end results may look like!!! LOL!!!!!
Su Murillo
Rose, I LOVE sooo much your work and all the tips, techniques and tutorials.
I have used your designs several times as inspiration for my cakes and have used your tutorials countless of times.
Now I have found an amazing tutorial on how to make black, red and chocolate colored home made fondant. It's AMAZING and since am like you, in regards to making everything from scratch. When I made it and tried it the first time it was WONDERFUL, AMAZING and the taste is sooo good and much better than Satin Ice brand and the way that it streches and covers cakes, is beautiful. NO TEARS!!!! 🙂
Here is the link of the tutorial, hope you like it 🙂
http://vivalasugarcake.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-to-making-chocolate-fondant.html
Thanks again 🙂
Rose
Thanks so much for sharing Su!! I can't wait to try it 🙂
Yaneri
Hey Rose! You know what be a great idea?
How about a blog post adding some of your viewers favorite tutorials? That way, everyone can add they're fave tutorial on your blog. There is always something interesting and fun to learn from other viewers! 😀
I just read Su Murillo's fondant blog post and thought how fun it would be to share our own tutorials on Rose Bakes.com!!
What'cha think????
Rose
Do you mean like a linky party? Where I let readers share links to their favorite tutorials?
Yaneri -Sweet Baker
Yes, exactly!!!!
Just a fun idea i throw out there!!! hehehe!!!!
jan
Thank you, Rose. I was so excited when I saw this pop up on my news feed today!
Angelia S.
Aww that looks easy! I thought it was going to be more complicated! As usual, you did a great job on the tutorial. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Heather - Chickabug
This makes me want to go on a picnic and have cake! I love that icing pattern. Thanks for sharing! : )
Terry Carter
Makes me want to take up sewing and not baking, so don't worry about competition from me. 🙂
Raquel Cuellar
But I wanted to thank Rose for everything she shares so generous, it brings joy to my heart. I have been going for very difficult times, but looking at her work it just brings a smile to my heart and makes me forget about my problems. Thank you very much. God bless,
aranea
Hi... I have to make blanket for this Sutarday, how early can I start...blanket that I would like to do is a lot of work and I was wondering if I can make it 1 day before covering cake in fondant
Elana
Cute cake!
Once the cake is assembled, do the checkerboard pieces stay in place?
Do you use the same process when you cover an entire cake with a checkerboard?
Thnaks
Rose
I didn't have any trouble with mine coming off, but you could use sugar glue instead of shortening to more firmly attach them!
Theresa Kraus
I just wanted to thank u for sharing your tips. I have to make a baby blanket with a checkered blanket n needed some advice. I appreciate your suggestions! : )
r sylakowski
The lard trick for 'glueing 'down the fondant is a great tip! I made a checkered napkin using very small squares and it worked like a charm!
Rose Atwater
Great!! So glad to hear it!
Gina D
I made a black and white checkered floor for a 50s diner cake I did. Same concept. But since it was a "floor" I just left it flat until it dried hard.
I wish I could post a picture.
I love your tutorials and website. Thanks for being so willing to share.
Rose Atwater
Hi Gina - I'd love for you to send me a picture to rose@rosebakes.com! Thanks for commenting!
Regina
How far in advance can you make the blanket before it will begin to harden? Can I wrap or cover it several days before? Up to a week before?
Susan
Hi Regina, thanks for stopping by the blog. If you leave it to air dry, it'll start to harden after a day. If you want to keep it pliable for weeks, I would wrap it in plastic wrap and place in an air tight container and store in a cool place out of the sun. I have also wrapped it and put it in the freezer, and once it thaws, it'll be pliable again, too.
Claire
I really liked this tutorial and it was very helpful, only thing I was wondering how much fondant did you use?
Rose
I'm sorry - I don't weigh or measure my fondant in any way.
esther stern
Hi Rose-I absolutely love ur website and tutorials as im obsessed with baking. Just started selling fondant cookies and luv getting tips from u:) was looking to make a cookie honey jar with a red checked top, so found this. thanks so much!!
Jacqueline
Hi thank you for your excellent advise. I am about to make a birthday cake with the 'Zelda' logo on top. Since fondant is not popular I will use the least possible and wonder how I can keep the shape. Could I freeze it before placing it on the cake?
Rose Atwater
You could but it will become soft again when it thaws so I'm not sure how much it would help in the longterm.