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Tutorial: How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers

by Rose 8 Comments

Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers

 

I recently had an order for a cowboy themed party and I had to come up with a plan for How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers.

After brainstorming a little bit, I realized they were going to be pretty easy to do and super, duper cute!   I hope you think so too!

How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers 01

Here’s what you’re going to need (not everything is pictured):

  • Brown fondant or gum paste
  • Tylose (if you’re using fondant)
  • Corn starch
  • Ball tool
  • 2″ round cookie cutter or pastry ring
  • Knife
  • Ball tool
  • Rolling Pin
  • Flower form tray
  • Shortening

Step 1: If you’re using fondant, start by mixing in some tylose (about 1 tsp. per pound).  This will help the fondant dry out and hold it’s shape. If you’re using gum paste, just skip that and jump right in!

First thing, roll out the fondant to about 2-3mm thick and cut out the 2″ circles. I only show one here, but I actually rolled out a big piece and cut several at once.

How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers 03

Here’s a picture of the 2″ pastry ring I used…

How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers 02

Step 2: Sprinkle your flower form tray with corn starch (to keep the fondant/gum paste from sticking) and lay the circles into the form to give it the curved shape of the brim of a cowboy hat. Allow them to begin to dry while you make the top of the hat.

How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers 04

Step 3: Take a ball of fondant and roll it out into a long rope – about 1 inch in diameter.

How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers 05

Step 4: Cut the rope into sections just over an inch long. The mat I’m working on has half-inch grid lines, so you can get a good feel for exactly how big my rope and sections were.

How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers 06

 

Step 5: Roll each section of fondant into a smooth round ball. You might want to knead in a little shortening to get the ball really smooth (or if it’s started to dry out – this will help cover any cracks).

How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers 07

 

Step 6: Using a ball tool, rub back and forth while pushing down to make an  indentation for the top of the hat. This will also cause the ball to begin to take an oval shape.

How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers 08

Step 7: Paint a little sugar glue on the center of the circle that you’ve been drying. You can see in the picture below that it it is already starting to hold it’s shape and it had bee less than 5 minutes.  (note: I used fondant with tylose for my hats)

How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers 09

Step 8: Push the top onto the bottom, pinching it in a little bit to give it a good “cowboy hat” shape. Place it back in the flower form and allow it to dry for at least 2 hours (overnight would be best, but I was able to put these on my cupcakes a couple of hours later and they held up beautifully).

How to Make Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers 10

Step 9: Place on a freshly frosted cupcake and they’re done!

Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers

Note: If you go ahead and put these toppers on the cupcakes, DO NOT put them in a closed container!! As moisture evaporates from the cupcake, if it cannot escape, the hat’s will absorb it and begin to get soft or ‘melt’. If you’re making them ahead of time, just place them in a box without a lid or cover them lightly with a paper towel.

And that’s it!!

Happy Caking!

Rose

Previous Post: « How to Make a Castle Cake for Girl’s Birthday (Full Tutorial)
Next Post: How to Make Autumn Cupcake Toppers (Tutorial) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Catherine

    June 1, 2015 at 3:02 AM

    Hi,
    These look fabulous. Planning to try it for my father’s 70th birthday next weekend. Can you please let me know what cake receipe and frosting you have used ? Thanks so much!

    Reply
  2. Amy

    April 2, 2015 at 8:22 PM

    I love these! I made them for my sons 1st birthday party only I made them out of caramels instead of fondant. They turned out great – I bet you could make them out of Tootsie Rolls too.

    Reply
    • Rose

      April 8, 2015 at 5:35 PM

      Oh what a great idea!

      Reply
  3. TP Hogan

    October 22, 2014 at 1:05 AM

    Love these. They are so cute that is true, The best part is that they are so easy…and look great.

    Reply
    • Rose

      October 29, 2014 at 5:50 AM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. linda

    October 21, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    This is so neat and looks easy. Do you have any tutorials on cupcake toppers for Christmas?

    Reply
  5. Ana

    October 21, 2014 at 4:52 PM

    I love your Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers. A greeting from Spain 😀

    Reply
    • Rose

      October 29, 2014 at 5:48 AM

      Thanks so much!!

      Reply

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