Graduation Cap Cupcake Toppers

Graduation season is upon us.  Save money and make your own Graduation Cap Cupcake Toppers like a professional!

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A special day like “Graduation Day” deserves a special cupcake! I made these Graduation Cupcakes for Paul’s oldest daughter this past weekend.  The cupcakes were two of her favorite flavors that I make.  My Cookie Dough Cupcakes and my Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes with Chambord Ganache.

After 5 long years as a double major in Vocal Performance and Music Business Management she did it! Boy did she do it! She graduated Summa Cum Laude and showed that her talents go beyond her incredible voice and stage performance.  All that hard work definitely deserved some delicious cupcakes with some special Cupcake Toppers!

It’s been so much fun watching all of her performances over the past 5 years.  This year’s performance was my favorite! She definitely saved the best for last and totally nailed it!   Here’s the link to her final performance as a student at the Hart School of Music starring in Orpheus in the Underworld.  She plays Eurydice. Enjoy!

Now back to the Graduation Cap Cupcake Toppers!  Here’s a tutorial on how I made them.  If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments below.

To make your Graduation Cap Cupcake Toppers you will need the following items:

• Black Fondant or gum paste. (I used fondant) You can also buy white fondant and add gel food coloring to tint it yourself however it gets messy and when tinting it a dark shade like black requires a lot of color. You will also need another shade of fondant for your tassel.  I used pink.
• Shortening. I use a little on my hands to prevent the fondant from getting too sticky.
• Powdered sugar or corn starch.  This is used on your counter to prevent the fondant from sticking to the surface.  I put mine in a shaker.
• Twinkle Dust or Disco Dust. I added a little to the top of the cap to add a little sparkle but this is optional.
• Vodka, rum or clear lemon extract.  I used this to wet the surface for applying the twinkle dust and also to attach the different parts together.  I use them in place of water because they dry very quickly.
• A cookie sheet with wax paper. You will put your cap top on this to dry.  You’ll need to let them sit over night so that they can harden.
• Rolling Pin. I just used a regular rolling pin.  They do sell special fondant rolling pins that you can buy but you don’t really need one.
• Paint Brush. You need to make sure it’s a clean small artist style paint brush that has not been used to paint with.
• A ruler. I use a ruler for measuring the width of of the cap top and for cut a straight line.
• A mini Roller cutter like a small pizza cutter. You could also use a sharp knife but when you drag the knife through it, it can pull on the fondant a bit.
• A small glass for your Rum or extract.
• Two plastic cups. I use these to keep my fondant under while I’m working so that it doesn’t dry out.

Once you have all your supplies set up this is what you’ll do: Start by making the cap tops because they’ll need to dry out and harden overnight.  You could even do this a week ahead.

Knead your fondant until it’s soft and pliable. It should feel warm in your hands. You’ll need to add a little bit of shortening to your hands so that it does not stick.

Once it’s softened place it on your powder sugared surface.

Then use your rolling pin to roll it out. You can add a little bit of powdered sugar to the top if it’s sticking to your rolling pin.  I also lift and turn the fondant each time I roll over it to make sure it’s not sticking to my surface.

Once you have it the right thickness (about 1/8 of an inch thick) cut the edges so you have straight lines.  It should form a square or rectangular shape.

Now you’ll want to cut strips the width of the ruler both horizontally and vertically.  You should end up with small squares.

Place all your cut out squares on your wax paper lined cookie sheet to dry.

Once they are dried you can apply your twinkle dust if you are using it.  Dip your brush in your vodka.  Don’t get it too saturated. Brush the top of the cap then sprinkle it with the twinkle dust.  Lift it and shake off excess.

Once your tops are dry you’ll be ready to make the base and attach the tops to them.  You’ll need to soften your fondant again and roll a piece into about a 1/2 inch ball.

Now you’ll need to shape it into a cap shape by flattening out the bottom.

Brush the top of the cap with a little bit of vodka or rum to moisten it then attach the cap top and apply a bit of pressure to the center so it sticks.  Continue the process until you have all your caps applied to a base and let them dry for about an hour or so. (My picture is just a sample below.  I hadn’t let my cap top dry yet so it’s not hardened.)

While your caps are drying you can make your tassels.  Soften your pink…or whatever color you’re using and roll it out.  Cut a long thin rectangular strip about an 1-1 1/2 inches long.  Then cut one end of it into about 3 or 4 strips.  Be careful to cut in a straight line and don’t go all the way up.

Apply a dab of vodka to the top of your cap and press your tassel on and hold until it sticks.  Then roll out a small black piece of fondant to add to the top of the tassel as a button.

Once you have all your caps put together place them on your lined cookie sheet until you’re ready to place them on your cupcakes.  It’s best to let them sit overnight.  Place them on your cupcakes right before you serve them and do not store the decorations in the fridge.

There you have it!  Graduation Cap Cupcake Toppers made by the professional! You!

If you have any questions just leave them in the comments below and make sure you let me know how yours come out!

Congratulations M for all your hard work!  It’s been so much fun watching you “Bloom” over the past 5 years!  I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!

Here are some of our other favorite cupcake recipes for you to try.  Just click on the picture for the recipe.