Movember Cupcakes - A Topper Tutorial

Shave the date and stand up for men’s health awareness with this Movember fondant cupcake tutorial! Movember (the combination of “mustaches” and “November”) is an entire month dedicated to raise consciousness regarding men’s health issues, including prostate and testicular cancer, as well as challenges with mental health concerns. Participants, known as “Mo Bros,” begin the month with a clean shaven face and proceed to grow a mustache for the entire month to support the cause. In addition, events to MOVE in Movember promote exercise and physical activity to decrease the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Photos via Lynlee’s Petite Cakes

Follow this tutorial to create fondant mustaches.

Materials:

• Black fondant 
• Water/edible glue and brush
• Small and large round circle cutters (approx. 5/8″ & 2 1/2″ respectively)
• Fondant rolling pin
• 1/4″ wooden dowels
• Rolling pastry cutter
• Knife tool
• Small modeling stick
• Vegetable shortening to soften your fondant
• Powdered sugar/dusting pouch for your work surface
• Lollipop sticks and/or paper straws

Directions:

Step 1:

Roll out black fondant thick (approximately 1/2″) with the rolling pin.

Step 2:

Use the rolling pastry cutter, trim the top and bottom of the black fondant in a straight line so that it measures about 1 1/2″ in length.

Step 3:

Carefully insert a lollipop stick through the center by gently twisting it upward until it protrudes a tiny bit from the top.

Step 4:

Trim the right and left sides with the rolling pastry cutter so that the width of the black fondant measures about 1″ across. Use the knife cutter to straighten out each side as necessary, creating the pants.

Step 5:

Use the knife tool to make an indentation lengthwise, from the bottom of the rectangle, almost toward the top to visually separate the pant legs. Make sure not to press too hard or it will cut through the fondant and the lollipop stick will then be visible.

Step 6:

Make a horizontal indentation with the knife tool at the top of the pant, as well as two smaller vertical ones to create a belt and buckle.

Step 7:

Use the small modeling stick to make seam indentations on the perimeter of the pants and the pockets.

Step 8:

Roll out additional black fondant 1/4″ thick with the fondant rolling pin and wooden dowels and cut out two small circles with the round cutter.

Step 9:

Roll the circles into balls, then into a sausage shape.

Step 10:

With your fingers, start shaping the fondant in a reverse “L” shape, then flatten out the top and bottom to create shoes.

Step 11:

Mirror the process for the opposite foot and glue them back to back on your work surface. Allow them to dry enough so that they will hold their shape, then glue them to the bottom of the pants, over the lollipop stick.

Step 12:

Roll out black fondant 1/4″ thick with the rolling pin and guide rings and punch out a large circle with the round cutter.

Step 13:

Roll the circle fondant into a ball.

Step 14:

Begin to roll out the ball into a sausage shape, but then proceed to only roll the sides thinner, forming the ends of the mustache.

Step 15:

Coil the ends of the mustache into each other toward the center, adding some water/edible glue in the process.

Step 16:

Use the knife tool to indent the top center of the mustache and smooth it out as necessary.

Step 17:

Shape the mustache over the top of the pants, inserting the protruding end of the lollipop stick through the bottom and gluing it all together. Allow it to dry thoroughly and insert through the center of your cupcake when decorating. Trim the lollipop stick to sit just over the icing.

Optional step:

• Make additional mustaches in different sizes and shapes to add to lollipop sticks or utilize paper straws for added interest. Have fun using them as photo props and trim the sticks or straws as necessary.

In an effort to raise awareness and spark conversation about men’s health issues, join Craftsy in making November “Movember Crafting Month” by sharing the projects you’ve made for an important man in your life. Learn more here.

How will you participate in the Movember movement to promote men’s health?