I've shared this before, but that post was not read very much so I thought I'd share again How to Make Fondant Sugar Glue.
I used to use either water or “Tylo glue” (Tylose mixed with water to form a glue). The problem is, you have to be extremely careful with water alone because if you use too much and it drips or runs down your cake, it makes a mess in a hurry!
The Tylose glue really does work great – but it’s not ready in an instant. It’s best to mix up and let it sit (and sort of “congeal”) overnight in the frig. This is not always practical for us decorators who are super scatter-brained don’t always think that far ahead.
But recently, I’ve started doing a couple of new things that I like much better!
When I can get away with it (when the decorations are flat), I rub the entire surface of my cake with shortening and apply fondant on fondant. A good example of that is the Rainbow Chevron Cake up top! All of those stripes are adhered to the cake with shortening alone and it works great! I also use shortening almost all of the time now to put letters one. I can move them around without damaging anything if I discover that I’ve put a name on off-center or too high or low!
How to Make Fondant Sugar Glue
However, today I'm sharing my newest and most favorite method… melted marshmallow fondant with a little water! I learned this trick from CorrieCakes on Facebook and it’s a perfect, easy “glue” for all fondant decorations.
It only takes seconds to make and if you decorate with mmf, you have everything you need on hand to make this “glue”. It’s thicker than water, doesn’t “run” easily and well… it’s just a great solution!
See the picture up there… you just take a small ball of fondant, put it in a microwavable glass dish with a little water (less than a teaspoon) and microwave for 15-20 seconds. You’ll get a perfect, sticky sweet glue!!
If it's too thick, add a tiny bit more water, microwave for a few more seconds, stir and it's fixed! If it's too watery, you can microwave it more to thicken it up (just be careful... small glass bowls get really, REALLY hot!).
Need more ideas like this? Check out my post here: 4 Ways to Stick Fondant Decorations to Cakes!
And that’s that!! Any questions?
Josie
Great tip Rose! Thank you for sharing!
Deaby
Thanks for sharing I did this before not knowing it.
Julia
Looks amazing and fun like it real works!!!!
Sherri Hodges
Thanks for sharing! Will try this today 🙂
Rose
I hope you'll love it like I do!
Shannon
Thank-you! You have saved my son's Paw Patrol cake tower.
Melanie
Thanks for this, I'll be using it tomorrow!
Rose
🙂
Elinor
Thank you for sharing! Do you think a real lace ribbon will stick on the fondant cake using this paste?
Rose
Yes, but it might bleed through - I'd test a tiny spot before doing the whole thing.
Elena
If used same day to apply decorative peices of fondant to came will it dry same day or would it have to be done night before and left overnight ???
Rose
I've done it same day or the day before!
Marilyn
Thank you for the tip. Doing a cake lace on mmf today and this will make it so much easier
Cathy
I've been trying to make a fondant now, looks good, but I can't find anything strong enough to hold it together. Any advice?
Rose Atwater
Try melted candy melts or chocolate! I also have instructions for how to make a beautiful fondant bow here: How to Make a Poofy Fondant Bow.
Tammy
Thank for sharing!
Liz
This was brilliant, thank you so so much!!
Rose Atwater
You're very welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kristi
SO...I decorate in mostly buttercream, but like to use fondant accents. Would this work to adhere fondant pieces to BUTTERCREAM?
Rose Atwater
Hi Kristi - I actually have a whole post up about that and some readers left comments with other suggestions! Check it out here: https://rosebakes.com/4-ways-to-stick-fondant-decorations-to-cakes/
jason
after making this is there a way to save it for another time?
Susan at RoseBakes.com
Hi Jason! Thanks for stopping by the blog. Yes, you can store it in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
Gail
You're simply wonderful! I'm an artificial baker but an artist at heart! I'm making a cougar purse with makeup n pearls spilling out for my 4 birthday gal friends! I needed the sticky to make the "pearls" spill out the purse!
Love ya!
Gmomrocks!
Karen
Do you have to wait for the "glue" to cool before using it and once it is refrigerated for storage do you re-heat it to use again?
Rose Atwater
No, not really. And yes, it can be reheated, but I usually just wash it out and make fresh as needed. It only takes a small amount of time and fondant.
Zeina
Hello,
Can I use regular fondant instead of marshmallow fondant to make this glue? Does it work as well?
I want to attach flowers to the sides of the cake and looking for the best glue to do so.
Thank you
Zeina
Rose Atwater
I haven't tried it, but you could give it a try. Another great thing to use for heavier decorations is melted candy melts 🙂
Christal
Heya! I have the same question as you. Have you tried making it with regular fondant instead of marshmallow fondant as yet? Would love to know if it worked out. Thanks!
Susan
Hi Christal, I've used store bought fondant to make this glue and it works great. If you need to attach heavier decorations, melted candy melts would be a great option, too.
Christal
Thanks so much 🙂
Anne
Hi Rose, I just found your wonderful blog! I have a question, I don't know if this is the right place for it, but here goes. I'm a new cake decorator and I want to do a Pokémon character (Magnezone) for mygrandson's birthday. Is the sugar glue the best medium for gluing the different parts together and does it hold well? Thanks for your help.
Rose
It really depends on the application... if it's a flat character, it'll work great. If it's a 3D character, maybe not. I have a few other options here and you can check the comments for more ideas: How to Stick Fondant Decorations on Cakes.
Mozelle Ramos
I don't have a microwave so can I do this like when you melt chocolate? Double broiler?
Thanks
Rose
Ooooh, I'm not sure if that would work or not. It's such a small amount.
javad
i want to adhesive the sugar seed crystals on the stick ,to make crystal rock candy.
can i use the fondant sugar glue?
which glue is suitable?
joanne
Thanks a bunch. I'm gonna try this.
Kristian P McGuire
Would this work as a glue for chocolate coated strawberries, before adding sanding sugar?
Amanda Ragless
Rose, could i use this to glue sides of a gingerbread house together? I'm trying to do a bit in advance and all the glue recipes use raw white eggs, not sure how long this would last. Looking for an alternative? thank you
Rose
I don't think it would work for that - sorry!
Kim
Hi Rose.
What is the best choice for sugar flowers? Thanks!
Anna Marie Cirino
Thank you for the excellent instructions for making & working with fondant, as well as how to make a bow—very clear & very comprehensive as to the ins & outs, as to why /why not to use certain ingredients. And as you noted, it was good to know upfront that this is a 2-3 day endeavor.
Your cakes are such lovely creations! I especially like the horizontal ribbons circling the one cake & the vertical ones on the gender-reveal one.