A Snappin' Tutorial: How to Make a Fondant Lobster Cake Topper

By Lynlee North Beckett

With the arrival of the warm weather comes the opportunity to entertain outdoors, where nautical themes often take center. As a cake decorator, I love finding ways to incorporate the “clambake-type theme” into my designs for summertime events. Lobsters are in fact an increasingly popular motif. Ever since Friends made it known that these creatures mate for life, popularizing the phrase, “He’s her lobster,” they’ve become more prominent at bridal showers and weddings.

Claw your way over to check out this step-by-step fondant lobster tutorial, perfect for embellishing your summer cake and cupcake designs!

Snappy Fondant Lobster Tutorial

Materials needed:

  • Fondant (red and black)
  • Fondant rolling pin & 1/8″ guide rings
  • Water/edible glue and brush
  • 7/8″ & 1 1/4″ round cutters
  • Round decorating tip #7 and #12
  • White flower stamen
  • Scissors
  • Red soft gel paste
  • Vodka (optional)
  • Brush
  • Parchment paper
  • 2 wooden dowels
  • Knife tool
  • Small ball tool
  • Precision knife
  • Large flower forming cup
Lobster tutorial step 1

Step 1:

Prepare red soft-gel paste to utilize for painting. If too thick, add a little bit of vodka (the alcohol will evaporate).

Step 2:

Cut the ends of the white stem off with scissors, then cut the stem in half.

Step 3:

Use a brush to paint the two stems red for the antennae, then set them on a piece of parchment paper to dry. Lobster tutorial step 2

Step 4:

Roll red fondant thick with the rolling pin and wooden dowels as guides, then cut out a 1 1/4″ circle.

Step 5:

Roll the red circle into a ball, then into a sausage shape, narrowing both ends just a bit for the head and lobster tail.

Step 6:

Using the knife tool, make an oval indentation to differentiate the head. Then, make three more indentations with the knife tool towards the end of the lobster, leaving enough room at the very end for the tail. With the precision knife, make two cuts on the tail and press it down a bit.

Step 7:

Using round decorating tip #12, indent a little smile and use the small ball tool to make indentations for the lobster’s eyes. Make sure to leave enough room for the antennae.

Step 8:

Insert the two painted antennae in the front of the lobster’s face, between the eyes and the smile. Lobster tutorial 3

Step 9:

Roll red fondant thick with the rolling pin and wooden dowels as guides. Cut out a circle with the 7/8″ round cutter.

Step 10:

Roll the red circle into a ball, then form it into a teardrop shape with your fingers.

Step 11:

Use the precision knife to cut a diagonal slit on the larger side of the teardrop to create a lobster claw. Use the knife tool to make two indentations on the inside of each claw.

Step 12:

Use the knife tool to make two indentations on the opposite end of the claw, then shape it on the side of the lobster’s body.

Step 13:

Repeat the steps above for the opposite claw. Lobster tutorial step 4

Step 14:

Roll red fondant thick with the rolling pin and wooden dowels as guides. Cut out six circles with round decorating tip #12.

Step 15:

Take one of the circles and roll it into a ball, then roll it out into a longer sausage shape.

Step 16:

Make a small indentation at one end for a leg.

Step 17:

Pinch the indented end of the leg and curve the entire fondant a bit. Flatten the opposite end with your finger that will later be glued to the bottom of the lobster.

Step 18:

Repeat the above steps for the remaining five circles (make sure you are curving three of the legs in the opposite direction). Lay the legs on your work surface and when you’re happy with the placement, apply a bit of glue on the end you flattened to glue the legs to the bottom of the lobster’s body. Glue the claws in place as well. Lobster tutorial step 5

Step 19:

Roll out black fondant with the rolling pin and 1/8″ guide rings and cut out two circles with round tip #7.

Step 20:

Roll the two circles into balls to create the eyes.

Step 21:

Glue the two eyes on the lobster. If you are planning on placing the fondant lobster over a cupcake, turn a large flower forming cup upside down, sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top and place the lobster on it to allow it to dry in a slight dome shape. Lobster tutorial step 6

Step 22:

Use the remainder of the red mixture to paint the entire fondant lobster to give it some shine and depth to the red. Allow it to dry thoroughly. Lobster fondant cupcake topper

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