My son's first birthday is next month. The party theme is sock monkeys, and I've picked out the cake design.

I want to make a relatively small sock monkey figurine for the top of the cake (tiers will be 6 inches and 10 inches).

It's been several years since I've had to make a figurine. Does it matter if I use gumpaste or fondant? Is one better than the other?

Don't use fondant alone. Mix it with tylose powder or Wilton Gumtex powder. They are different but really do the same thing with your figurines. They will be stronger and harder. If your sock monkey is standing, use a lollipop stick as an armature so it doesn't squish down.

I think either dependent on the need. If I want the figurine to have the same colours as the fondant coverings I'll use the same coloured fondant mixed with tylose powder - this allows for continuity of colouring. If I'm making figurines that are completely different and unique I'll mix colour into gumpaste. Fondant by itself has never worked for me - it's too pliable and wont hold shape when weight vs gravity kicks in. Hope that helps.

Thank you! I plan to have the sock monkey sitting on top of the cake, but I'll try the fondant + Tylose.

I typically use a blend of fondant and gumpaste but sometimes just use fondant with tylose mixed in.