How to Make a Polka Dot Fondant Bow (a Minnie Mouse Bow!)

I have made more Minnie Mouse bows over the years than I care to count and I'm always asked how I do them! Today I want to share with you How to Make a Polka Dot Fondant Bow (a Minnie Mouse Bow!).

It does take a few steps but they're actually pretty easy to make and in the end - everybody loves them! You can also make them bigger, smaller, with or without polka dots, more poofy or less... it's a very versatile bow! So let's get started.

Here's what you'll need:

• White gum paste
• Pink fondant (or gum paste) - I used homemade marshmallow fondant.
• Small Rolling Pin and large work mat
• Shortening
• Water or sugar glue
• small paint brush
• Small pastry wheel
• Xacto knife or scalpel
• Ribbon Cutter
• Mini Circle Cutter or a tiny circle cutter/plunger (my favorite!)
• Two bubble tea straws or dowel rods (not pictured)

Now you'r'e ready to get started... 

First up, you're going to roll out the white gum paste and then cut it into a rectangle using your pastry wheel and a ruler (if you need to).

The size can vary depending on how big of a bow you need, but for this bow, it was 9" long by 3" wide:

Now it's time to add polka dots!! I like to use shortening to adhere the dots to the gum paste. I brush down the entire surface with a very thin layer, then use a paper towel to wipe off any excess. Shortening is not as messy as sugar glue or water, but those would work too if you prefer.

(I notice below that my white piece of gum paste is not in fact cut into a rectangle here. I shot the tutorial twice and somehow mixed up those steps... so cut the rectangle, then add polka dots or vice versa - either works!)

So with your white gum paste rolled out (cut or not), also go ahead and roll  out your pink fondant or gum paste, then cut out lots of tiny circles and lay them on your gum paste. I tried to keep mine pretty evenly spaced but they don't need to be in a perfect pattern.

I love using a circle plunger/cutter because it makes the polka dots so easy, but you could also use a mini circle cutter or even the end of a frosting tip to cut the circles. Also, you can make them as big or as small as you want. These were just under half an inch.   

 Once the dots are in place, flip the white over and cut it into a rectangle (if you haven't already).

Now using water or sugar glue, paint then ends of the rectangle, then fold and pinch the ends together for what will be the center of the bow. Here are the 3 steps for that... (work with the polka dots face-down):

Now Flip the bow over then fold the ends together. (oops - one of my dots popped off!)

Now use your fingers to pinch the back of the bow down to match the front. The gum paste should still be pliable so you can manipulate it without cracking (assuming you're working at pretty reasonable pace).

Once you have it shaped, flip it back over.

Now it's time to make the center knot. Using some of the gum paste you trimmed when you cut the rectangle, cut out 2 smaller rectangles to add the knot at the center of the bow. These need to be around 3" long and about half an inch wide.

I cut two, then layer them together and wrap them around the center of the bow:

Use a little sugar glue to secure the knot on the back then use bubble tea straws or dowel rods to shape the loops while it dries. I like to put straws through the loops, then stand it up to dry because that's how it'll be on the cake.

Note:  if you're going to stick this to the side of the cake vs. standing up on top, you can shape it to the cake to dry (if it's already decorated) or lay it flat if it won't need to curve around the shape of the cake!

 Let the bow dry overnight or at least 12 hours, then slide the straws out and it's ready to go! I use melted white chocolate to secure mine to the cake!!

Here's the finished bow sitting on top of a 6" round:

And you're all set - a super cute with a super cute polka dot bow! If you'd like to know how to make the Minnie ears, I also have a tutorial for that here.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment! Thanks for looking!

Happy Caking!!

Rose

Here are some other Minnie Mouse cakes if you'd like to browse and a PIN-able image... thank you for sharing!

Minnie Mouse Pink Ruffles Cake

Chevron and Polka Dots Minnie Mouse Cake

Pink Minnie Mouse Birthday Cake

Pink Ombre Minnie Mouse Cake

Mickey and Minnie Mouse Birthday Cakes & Cupcakes for Boy & Girl Twins

Minnie Mouse 1st Birthday Cake + Smash Cake