5 steps to a tie dye (fondant) cake!

Tie-dye was this customer's favorite pattern, so what better way to take her birthday to the next level than by hand-painting a tie-dye pattern on the fondant? In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through how to create a vibrant and show-stopping cake using Chefmaster colors, vodka, and a bit of creative flair.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Cake: Any flavor will work! Bake your favorite cake recipe, crumb coat it in buttercream, and cover with fondant.
• Fondant: Choose a good-quality white fondant for the best painting surface. We prefer to use marshmallow fondant (find our free recipe here). Let it sit on the cake overnight for a nice firm surface.
• Chefmaster Gel Food Colors: Select a variety of bright and contrasting shades for your tie-dye effect (find our colors here).
• Vodka: Acts as a thinning agent to mix with the food coloring, evaporates quickly, and leaves no taste.
• Small Brushes: Use food-safe brushes of different sizes for various effects (find our brushes here).
• Paint Palette: A small plate or palette for mixing your colors.

 

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Cover the Cake with Fondant

Once your cake is frosted and ready, roll out white fondant to cover your cake, smoothing it with fondant smoothers. This will be the canvas for your hand-painted design. Ideally, let the cake rest overnight to let the fondant firm for easier painting. You can also roll out some extra pieces you can use to practice.

Step 2: Prepare Your Colors

In small dishes or on a palette, mix a small amount of each Chefmaster color with a few drops of vodka. The vodka thins the gel color, making it easy to paint on the fondant. Adjust the ratio depending on how saturated or diluted you want the color. For this cake I used rainbow colors.

Step 3: Begin Painting

Dip your brush into the prepared colors and practice on your extra piece of fondant, or on your cake itself (like at the back first). For a classic tie-dye look, try to get a circular pattern with short straight strokes, blending the edges of each color into the next. Create small spirals in the center and fan outward. The vodka will evaporate quickly, leaving the vibrant colors behind. We used different brushes for each color to keep the colors from bleeding into others. 

Step 4: Blend for the Tie-Dye Effect

To mimic the soft, swirling tie-dye effect, use a slightly damp brush to blur the edges where two colors meet. You can also layer lighter colors on top of darker ones for extra depth and dimension. Don't worry if it's not perfect; the fun of tie-dye is in its free-form style!

Step 5: Let It Dry

Allow your painted cake to sit for an hour or two, so the colors fully dry and set on the fondant. The alcohol in the vodka will evaporate, leaving only the bright, bold colors behind.

Step 6: Add Finishing Touches

Once the colors are dry, feel free to add more details or embellishments. For this cake, our customer handmade this really cute topper.You can create additional fondant shapes, edible glitter, or metallic accents to give the cake extra personality.

Tips for Success:

• Practice on a spare piece of fondant before painting your cake to get comfortable with how the colors blend (I decided that this pattern on the left was my favorite!)
• Use a steady hand for cleaner lines, or go for a looser, watercolor effect by adding more vodka.
• Work in layers: Don’t be afraid to let each color dry before adding more to create intricate designs.

With a little patience and creativity, you can transform a plain cake into a vibrant, custom work of art. This hand-painted tie-dye technique using Chefmaster colors and vodka is perfect for a fun birthday, a themed party, or any celebration that calls for a burst of color! So grab your brushes and get ready to amaze your guests with a cake that tastes as good as it looks.

Happy decorating!