It's that time of year again! The trees are up, the presents for the daughter are on the premises but as yet still in their hiding place and not wrapped. I had grand illusions that I'd be finished the Christmas prep this year by about 4th December and then I could just put my feet up for the rest of the month, watch Gremlins and Die Hard with my glass of Baileys and a cosy pair of socks on. I was clearly delusional :-D

It's always fun though despite the busy-ness to throw a few Christmas cupcakes together, so I thought a little tutorial would be good for a couple of quick and easy toppers - specifically the little Christmas tree and Rudolph that you see from this selection of four. 

• Fondant in white and green (about 20g per cupcake)
• Modelling paste in brown, green and red, with a little bit of black and white
• Small amount of royal icing, some white, some red
• Edible glue
• 4 circle cutters, approximately 7, 5.75, 3.75 and 1.5cm (doesn't have to be exact)
• Little star cutter
• Triangle cutter
• Gold edible pearls
• Gold edible paint and/or lustre dust
• Slim writing/piping nozzle (eg PME 2) & piping bag
• Texture/impression mat & rolling pin

• Roll out some white and green fondant to 3mm thick. Dust with icing sugar to stop the impression mat sticking then place the impression mat on top and roll over with your rolling pin. Cut 7cm circles from these.
• Roll the modelling paste to 1mm thick and cut the following: a green triangle; brown circles (1x 5.75cm + 2x 1.5cm); little brown rectangle (press some lines into this with a pallet knife); red circle (3.75cm) circle; white star; couple of thin black strips.

• With edible glue, stick the red circle onto the large brown one, lining them up at the bottom. Stick these onto the green fondant circle, lining up the top so it's just above half way. Use the 7cm cutter to trim off the overhanging bit.
• Glue the triangle, brown rectangle (tree trunk!) and white star onto the white fondant circle.
• Pinch the bottom of the 2 small brown circles to make ear shapes. Flatten the pinched bit and trim it off.
• Cut shorter sections from the black strips for Rudolph's antlers.
  

• Roll 2 little black circles for Rudolph's eyes and glue these in place along with his antlers and ears.
• Paint the star gold (if it's not bright enough add some lustre dust).
• Use a small celpin (or anything pointy) to make indents in the tree which will mean the gold pearls will easily find their intended resting place. Glue them in (leave gaps in between).
  

• Highlight Rudolph's eyes and nose with white royal icing.
• Squeeze red royal icing pearls in between the gold.
  

And there you have it! Easy peasy Christmas tree and Rudolph cupcake toppers. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and will have a go. You'll find lots more live tutorials in our Creative Cake Decorating Facebook Group, which you're very welcome to join if you would like to! Merry Christmas!