Forming Fondant With Makin's Push Molds

I have a favorite new discovery: Makin's Push Molds. According to the packaging, they're intended for use with clay, but I recently found them near the gum paste department of Sugar 'N Spice in Daly City. As much as I love gum paste, I'd prefer to make cute little things like this out of something more delectable. I had a small amount of a recent batch of fondant left over, so I gave it a try. Other than fondant, all you really need is a mold, a dusting pouch filled with a 50/50 mix of powdered sugar and cornstarch, and a gum paste storage board (the flip side of which makes a great work surface). 

Start by dusting the cavity on the mold you're going to use.

Roll a ball of fondant the approximate size of the mold (you can always add more or less if it doesn't fit; just pry out the first attempt, adjust the size, re-dust, and try again).

Press the fondant into the mold.

Flip the mold over; you can see right through to any overages that should be wiped away.

To make the underside of the mold really flat you might want to press it flat against the storage board.

Push the mold and the piece should pop right out.

Some shapes will deform during the "pressing out" step (especially those that are thicker). For these I dusted the cavity extra generously, molded quickly, and slapped the mold against the counter; the shape popped right out. Allow them to rest on the storage board to dry (or on a piece of parchment paper on a cake cooling rack).

When the shapes are dry, you can dust them with Color Dust…

…and maybe also a layer of Pearl Dust…

 …or just straight Pearl Dust.

 You could also color the fondant, marble it, draw on the pieces with food-safe markers, paint them with paste food coloring dissolved in a tiny amount of clear vanilla extract; you're limited only by your imagination!