Holiday Recipe Idea: DIY Snow Globe Cake Topper

The holidays are nearly here, and in the spirit of our new Snow Globe Wonderland Collection, we’ve got a DIY recipe idea that’ll help bring the magic of the season into your home. This recipe from our friend Janine Waite @happyhappynester features cake toppers that look like mini snow globes — with adorable fondant penguins inside!

You Will Need

Gelatin Globes — Gelatin Sheets Method:
• 7 sheets of Platinum Gelatin
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cold water
• water balloons
• baker’s twine
(Makes about 6-7 snow globes.)

Penguin Toppers:

• fondant: white, orange, black
• rolling pin
• parchment paper
• toothpick
• paring knife
• pen
• small bowl
• watercolor brush

Snow Globe Gelatin Sheet Instructions

1. Soak gelatin sheets in cold water for five minutes. Squeeze excess water out of gelatin and place in a saucepan.
2. Blow up the balloons and knot the end. Tie a string to the end of each balloon.
3. Place gelatin in a small pot and pour the 2 1/2 tablespoons of cold water over gelatin. Place pan on low heat and stir until melted. Make sure to avoid overheating. Gelatin takes about two minutes to dissolve.
4. Dip balloons in gelatin until fully covered. Tie balloon strings to a hanger and allow to dry for 24 hours.
5. After the gelatin has dried, pop balloons and gently remove the snow globe from the balloons. If the bottom edge of the gelatin snow globe is uneven, trim it with scissors.

Fondant Penguin Instructions

Gloves are recommended to ensure dye from fondant does not transfer to hands.

1. Roll the black fondant into an egg shape to create the penguin’s body, roughly 1” x 1”. Next, make a tiny pair of eyes and a pair of wings. The wings are about half an inch long.
2. Create three small balls of orange fondant for the penguin’s beak and feet, with the two feet slightly flattened.
3. On parchment paper, roll the white fondant out into a thin sheet. Next, with a paring knife, cut a small heart-shaped pattern for the penguin’s white stomach.
4. Fill a small bowl of water. Using your paintbrush, wet the backside of the white stomach and attach to the penguin’s black body. Repeat with beak, feet, eyes, and wings.
If the penguin topples over, push down on the penguin’s body. The pressure will mold the feet so that they become balanced.

For more DIY holiday inspiration, check out yankeecandle.com/inspirations and visit Janine’s blog at happyhappynester.com.