Hi, I'm getting ready to do a luau themed birthday cake for a 2 year old. Her mother wants a hula dancer cake with a coconut bra, in fondant. I'm wondering if anyone had any tips on how to make my brown fondant look more like a coconut shell (texture)?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Well off the top of my head I'd say first form the cups over the mini ball pan for the right shape. Then let it harden and brush with cocoa powder. That will give it a more rustic look. Now, I don't know what this instrument is called but it's a handle with a few scraggly wires off the end of it -- usually found in the clay depts of hobby stores -- before the fondant is hardened over the form, brush a few strokes of the wire tool over it to give it that "stringy" look. Go lightly though, you don't want shredded coconut shell! If I find a picture of the wire tool I'll post it. Hope that helps!

Okay I found a picture for you: it's halfway down the page, called a wire texturing brush:

http://www.shavkin.com/GumPaste%20and%20Fondant%20Tools.html

http://www.shavkin.com/Wire%20Brush.jpg