Create Delicious Fondue Cowboy Hats: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fondue Cowboy hats are a fun and creative way to add a western twist to your cakes and cupcakes. Whether you're throwing a cowboy-themed party or just looking for a unique cake topper, these hats are sure to impress. The process of making fondue cowboy hats can be broken down into a few simple steps. First, you'll need to shape the hat's brim using fondant or a fondant and gumpaste mixture. This will take some time to dry, so it's best to start a few days in advance. You can use a real hat brim as a template to draw the shape onto a poster board or a large gift bag, and then cut out the brim using your template. To give the brim a curled shape, you can place it over an upside-down cake or use something to lift its sides until it dries. The next step is to create the top of the hat, which involves shaping rice cereal treats or fondant into a generic cowboy hat shape. Finally, you can assemble the hat by covering the top with fondant or chocolate and placing it on the brim. You can also add decorations like a fondant ribbon, a sheriff's star, or a gumpaste belt buckle to give it that extra touch. With some time and creativity, you'll have yourself a fondue cowboy hat that's perfect for any occasion!

Shaping the hat

Firstly, you need to focus on creating the brim of the hat as it will take some time to dry. This can be made using fondant, a fondant and gumpaste mixture, or gum paste. Roll out the chosen medium and cut out a circle that is larger than the cake, which will form the centre of the hat. If you want to add extra detail, use a fondant sewing wheel to mark a 'seam' around the edge of the brim.

To shape the brim, you can use a real hat brim as a template. Draw around the brim onto a sturdy surface such as a large gift bag, a shirt box, or a poster board. Place your rolled-out fondant or gumpaste mixture over the template and cut out the brim shape. Alternatively, if you don't have a template, simply cut out a circle that is larger than the cake.

Now, it's time to give the brim its distinctive curl. Place the gumpaste or fondant brim over an upside-down cake to hold its shape. If you don't have a cake, you can place the brim over any surface and lift its sides by placing something underneath to hold the curl until it dries. You can use something like a hat block or a bowl to help shape the brim. Make sure to spray your chosen tool with non-stick spray or rub it with butter to prevent sticking.

Once you have the brim in place, continue to press and shape all sides of the hat to ensure a tight fit. At this stage, you can place the hat in the refrigerator to chill and harden.

While the brim is drying, you can start working on the top of the hat. Roll out a long rope of fondant or gumpaste, about 1 inch in diameter. Cut this rope into sections just over an inch long. Shape each section into a smooth, round ball. If the mixture starts to dry out and crack, you can knead in a small amount of shortening to smooth it out.

To form the indentation for the top of the hat, use a ball tool and rub it back and forth while pushing down gently. This will also help the ball take on an oval shape, similar to the top of a cowboy hat.

Finally, it's time to assemble the hat. Paint a small amount of sugar glue in the centre of the brim and attach the top of the hat, pinching it slightly to achieve the desired cowboy hat shape. Place the assembled hat back into the flower form and allow it to dry thoroughly. Depending on the humidity and the amount of tylose used, it may take 2-3 days to dry completely.

Covering the top of the hat with fondant

Now that your rice cereal shape is getting cold, it's time to mix some tylose into your fondant so that it'll dry and harden. Add about 1-2 teaspoons per pound of fondant. Use a small rolling pin to roll it out to a thin 2-3mm thickness.

For the brim of the hat, use a 6" round cake pan as a guide to cut out a circle of fondant. You could also use a pastry ring or a cake board of a similar size. This circle will form the bottom and bill of the hat. Place your hat shape onto the circle of fondant, ensuring you have plenty of extra fondant on the edges to make the brim.

Take some bubble tea straws and coat them with a little shortening. Use these to roll up the edges parallel to the indention you made. The shortening will help the straws stick and hold, but will also ensure they don't stick so they can easily be removed later. Briefly place the hat shape on the circle to make sure you haven't rolled the fondant in too far, then put it back in the fridge.

This part will need to dry and harden, which can take 2-3 days. Place it on a paper towel or a flat tray dusted with a little corn starch so it doesn't stick.

Once the brim is dry, it's time to cover the hat with fondant. Roll out another circle of fondant to cover the hat. Lay it over the finished hat shape and begin smoothing it down. Then, cut off any excess fondant, leaving a small skirt around the edge. Flip the hat over and tuck the skirt under the bottom. Be sure to trim off any excess fondant so that the hat will sit relatively flat once flipped back over.

Making the brim of the hat

Step 1: Create a Template

Start by using a real hat brim to draw a template. You can trace the outline of the brim onto a large gift bag, a shirt box, or a poster board. This template will be your guide for cutting out the brim shape from fondant or gum paste.

Step 2: Prepare the Fondant or Gum Paste

If you're using fondant, mix in some tylose powder (about 1-2 teaspoons per pound of fondant) to help it dry and harden. If you're using gum paste, you can skip this step. Roll out the fondant or gum paste to a thickness of about 2-3 mm.

Step 3: Cut Out the Brim Shape

Using your template, cut out the brim shape from the rolled-out fondant or gum paste. If you don't have a template, you can simply cut out a circle that is larger than the cake that will be the centre of the hat. You can use a 6" round cake pan, a pastry ring, or a cake board as a guide.

Step 4: Create the Curl

Place the cut-out brim over an upside-down cake or another curved surface to create the curl. If using a cake, make sure it is the same size as the cake board you will be using for your final hat. If you don't have a cake, you can lift the sides of the brim by placing something under the edges to hold the curl until it dries. This will give the brim its characteristic shape.

Step 5: Add Details (Optional)

You can use a fondant sewing wheel to mark around the edge of the brim to create the appearance of a seam. This step is optional but adds a nice touch to the final hat.

Step 6: Let it Dry

The brim will now need to dry and harden. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the brim holds its shape when you assemble the hat. The drying time may vary depending on the humidity and the amount of tylose used, but it is generally recommended to let it dry for at least 2-3 days. Place the brim on a paper towel or a flat tray dusted with a small amount of corn starch to prevent sticking.

Covering the hat with chocolate

Prepare the Hat Shape:

Before you begin, ensure that your rice cereal hat shape is thoroughly chilled and hardened. This step is essential as it provides a stable base for the upcoming steps.

Melt the Chocolate:

For this step, you will need to melt your chosen chocolate. Place some candy melts or chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in short intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. If you prefer, you can also use a double boiler on the stovetop to melt the chocolate.

Spread the Chocolate:

Once your chocolate is melted, it's time to spread it over the entire surface of your chilled hat shape. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to evenly coat the hat. Don't worry about making it neat; the goal here is to cover any holes or imperfections and create a smooth base.

Chill Again:

After coating the hat with chocolate, place it back in the refrigerator to let the chocolate harden. This step ensures that the chocolate sets and becomes firm, making it easier to handle in the next steps.

Smooth and Scrape:

Now, grab a potato or vegetable peeler to start scraping and smoothing the chocolate. You can also use your hands to gently smooth out the chocolate, as the warmth from your hands will help create a seamless finish. If needed, repeat the process of spreading, chilling, and smoothing the chocolate to fill in any remaining holes or dips for an even smoother surface.

Final Touches:

Before proceeding to the next step, ensure that your chocolate-covered hat is completely smooth and free of imperfections. At this point, you can add any additional details, such as a fondant ribbon or other decorations, to complete the look of your fondue cowboy hat.

Remember, this process takes time and patience, so don't rush through the steps. By carefully following these instructions, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious and visually appealing fondue cowboy hat!

Assembling the cowboy hat

Now that you've shaped the fondant and allowed the brim to dry, it's time to assemble the cowboy hat!

Roll out another circle of fondant to cover the hat. Lay it over the finished hat shape and begin smoothing it down. Then, cut off any excess fondant, leaving a small skirt around the edge.

Flip the hat over and tuck the skirt under the bottom. Be sure to trim off any excess fondant—you'll want the hat to sit pretty flat once it's flipped back over.

When you're ready to assemble the hat, put a small amount of melted chocolate in the centre of the brim. Attach the top of the hat to the brim and let it dry in a cool, dry place with no direct sunlight. You can also use bubble tea straws or dowel rods on the outside of the brim for extra support and to keep it from unrolling.

After about two days, gently remove the straws and add the finishing touches!

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