Nothing But Net: A Basketball Cupcake Topper in 7 Easy Steps

Are you ready basketball fans? It’s almost time for March Madness! From get-togethers to watch the cinderella-story wins to birthdays in honor of avid college sports fans, the opportunities to create sports-themed cakes and cupcakes is abundant. It’s even more fun to be able to customize your creations to specific team colors!

Ensure your sweet treats are a slam dunk this season with this step-by-step fondant basketball tutorial!

Materials needed:

• Fondant (orange, white, teal and black – replace colors as needed for your desired team)
• Water/edible glue and brush
• 1 1/4″ and 2 1/4″ circle cutters
• Fondant rolling pin with 1/8″ and 1/16″ guide rings
• 1/4″ wooden dowels
• Precision knife
• Small modeling stick
• Food scissors
• Rolling pastry cutter
• Dotted embossing mat
• Vegetable shortening

Basketball fondant tutorial:

Step 1:

With the rolling pin and 1/8 guide rings, roll out orange fondant and spread a bit of of vegetable shortening over the fondant. Place the dotted embossing mat over the fondant and use the rolling pin to impress the pattern onto it. Use the 2 1/4″ cutter to punch out a circle and set it aside.

Step 2:

With the rolling pin and 1/16″ guide rings, roll out black fondant and use the rolling pastry cutter to cut 4 long strips.

Step 3:

Fit them over the ball to form the basketball stripe markings, trim the excess with the precision knife and glue them in place with the water/edible glue.

Basketball sneakers tutorial:

Step 1:

Roll out white fondant thick with the rolling pin and wooden dowels as guides. Cut out a circle with the 1 1/4″ cutter.

Step 2:

Roll it into a ball, then shape it into an “L” shape with your fingers, making the bottom a big longer. Dip your fingers in shortening and round out the sides a bit.

Step 3:

Use the food scissors to cut 2 slits in the front to create the shoe tongue. Use the small modeling stick to make stitching indentations on the sneaker.

Step 4:

With the rolling pin and 1/16″ guide rings, roll out teal (or color of choice) and use the rolling pastry cutter to cut out different-sized strips for embellishing the sneakers. Fit them over the sneakers, trim them and glue them. Use the small modeling stick to make indentations for stitches as you did before.

Step 5:

With the rolling pin and n/16″ guide rings, roll out orange (or color of choice) and use the rolling pastry cutter to cut a very thin strip. With the precision knife, cut out small strips for shoelaces.

Layer them over the front of the sneakers, making “X” shapes, and glue them in place. Use the small modeling stick to create holes on each side of the shoelaces.

Step 6:

Cut one last strip of orange fondant to embellish the side and back of the sneakers.

Step 7:

With the rolling pin and 1/8″ guide rings, roll out teal fondant and spread out a bit of vegetable shortening over the fondant. Place the dotted embossing mat over the fondant and use the rolling pin to impress the pattern onto it.

Use the 2 1/4″ round cutter to punch out a circle and glue on the shoes. Repeat the steps above to create the second sneaker, making sure you are reversing the embellishments so that the finished product resembles a pair of sneakers. Allow to dry thoroughly.

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About Lynlee:

Lynlee founded Lynlee’s Petite Cakes in 2010, shortly after throwing her daughter’s 3rd birthday party, when her love of planning parties, crafting and decorating cupcakes culminated into an undeniable passion. After working in the fashion industry as an Accessories buyer for 10 years, Lynlee transitioned into the baking world, specializing in fondant cupcake and cake toppers. As a self-taught fondant artist, she now focuses on providing fondant and party inspiration and tutorials to others through her blog and publications and is the author of the book “Sweet & Unique Cupcake Toppers,” scheduled to be released in the Spring of 2014. Lynlee loves all things Parisian and her sweet family, consisting of her hubby, daughter and French poodle.