okay, so I'm thinking ahead a little...
but, I'm looking for ideas on how to make realistic looking snowflakes to decorate cakes. I really like using MMF, but am willing to use BC if I have to. Are there snowflake cutters for fondant, something like that?
any ideas??
I would use royal icing for realistic looking snowflakes. Make a template and cover it with wax paper. Trace thickly with the royal and let harden for a few days before gently peeling the wax paper away.
First of all Lillybelle, those cats in your avatar are TERRIFYING, she looks like she's MAD!!
And the royal icing DOES make prettier snow flakes than the cutter's, kate714 look in my photos at the fondant present cake, there ae blue snow flakes cut out of fondant stuck to it. They are nice, but not nearly as pretty as royal icing flakes. The only other tip I would give you is if you make the royal icing flakes, make them on parchment, they don't stick quite as hard to it and are easier to remove after they are dried.
If you can get the superwhite candy discs (I think they're manufactured by CK, not CandyMelts), they make very nice snowflakes. I put these on the sides and top of a hexagonal cake, using lots of cornelli lace on the cake. You just have to melt the candy, rather than get the mixer out and hope you get the RI to the consistency you like. Another plus is that the buttercream doesn't affect the candy, the way it does RI.
Snowflake instructions -- ala Chef Theresa
Go to AC Moore and look in the seasonal department for the snowflake window cling that I bought there three weeks ago. It had a blue background, and snowflakes of all sizes.
Tape this item (do not remove clings from paper backing) to a large piece of cardboard.
Tape a piece of parchment or waxed paper over the cling.
Use royal icing to trace and pipe the designs. Allow to dry.
Peel and use as needed.
Chocolate is difficult to pipe, unless you make a very small parchment paper cone, and cut a very very small hole in the tip. And even then, there is no guarantee that it will not run or spread all over the place on you.
Theresa 
I put the melted candy into disposable decorating bags and use a #1 tip. I draw out the pattern and then make copies of it. I tape it down on a tray, cover it with wax paper, and pipe over the design with the candy. Once hard (it takes only minutes if you pop it into the refrigerator..not the freezer) you can peel the snowflake off the paper by sliding the paper to the edge of the table. Pull the paper down at the table edge, and support the candy as it pulls away from the paper. You can now flip the snowflake over, and re-pipe over it. (It makes it much sturdier.) I find that the more lines you have intersecting on the design, the less likely the final design will be to break. It's just like using RI, only it's candy instead. The important thing to remember is to make sure the candy is smooth and fully melted before putting it in the bags. With a #1 tip, it doesn't take much to plug it up.
You're welcome. Glad to be of assistance.
Theresa
Here's a link where you can get snowflake patterns to print off http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/dstredulinsky/patterns.html HTH
Hey, tiggy2 -
Thanks for the snowflake link. Those are really nice. And by the way, love your Betty!
Theresa
How can you make royal icing snowflakes and color them???? Can you paint them with luster dust or would you just have to sprinkle them with dust???
You can either color your royal icing or use dusts on them. I would use luster dusts, or better yet, super pearl with sparkle dusts (not to be confused with Wilton sparkles) over them. Sparkle dusts add just a bare hint of color. You could also use the colored edible glitter over them to give random dots of color.
Theresa
Don't forget to send us pictures!
Theresa
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