Beginner Guide to Using Fondant Toppers
Editorial TeamTable of Contents
- Why Fondant Toppers Are the Easiest Way to Decorate a Cake
- How to Attach Fondant Decorations to a Cake Without Cracks or Sliding
- When to Put Fondant Toppers on a Cake (and When It Is Too Early)
- Fondant Cupcake Toppers: Small Decorations, Big Impact
- How to Store Fondant Toppers Before and After the Party
- Choosing Fondant Toppers for Allergies and Dietary Needs
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: 7 October 2026
Why Fondant Toppers Are the Easiest Way to Decorate a Cake
Fondant toppers are pre-made edible sugar paste decorations that you simply place on top of a cake or cupcake, with no piping bag, no steady hand, and no decorating course required. For anyone who has ever stared at a plain buttercream cake wishing it looked like the ones in the bakery window, this is the shortcut that actually works.
At Simply Toppers, we have been hand-making sugar paste decorations since 2013, and our award-winning designs exist for one reason: to make home bakes look professional without the stress. We have watched complete beginners produce party-ready cakes in minutes, simply because the decoration was already made for them.
Here is the honest truth. Most cake decorating fails not because people lack talent, but because they attempt techniques that take years to master. Fondant toppers remove that problem entirely.
Below, we explain exactly how to attach them, when to add them, how to store them, and how to choose options that suit everyone at the party.
How to Attach Fondant Decorations to a Cake Without Cracks or Sliding
Attaching fondant decorations takes seconds once you know the trick: support the topper, set it gently, and never press downwards.
A common mistake is pushing the topper into the surface to make it "stick". That is what causes cracks and sliding. Sugar paste is firm but delicate, and it holds best when it rests on a tacky surface rather than being forced in.
Working on Buttercream, Fondant, or Royal Icing
Buttercream is the most forgiving surface. It has a slight tack that grips the base of the topper, so a light placement is usually enough. Chill the cake first if the buttercream feels soft, as a firm surface stops the topper sinking.
Fondant-covered cakes need a tiny dab of water or edible glue on the base of the decoration. Use the smallest amount possible. Too much moisture softens the sugar paste and makes colours bleed.
Royal icing dries hard, so it offers no natural grip. Add a small dot of edible glue where the topper will sit, then hold the decoration in place for a few seconds.
When to Put Fondant Toppers on a Cake (and When It Is Too Early)
The best time to add fondant toppers is as late as possible before serving, ideally within a few hours of the party and after any chilling or transporting is finished.
Adding them too early is the single most common cause of disappointing results. If a decorated cake sits in the fridge overnight, condensation forms on the sugar paste. The toppers go soft, colours run, and fine details such as painted faces lose their definition.
Work backwards from the party instead:
| Timing | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Day before | Bake, fill and cover the cake; store it plain |
| 2-4 hours before | Add toppers at room temperature |
| Just before serving | Final check and any last adjustments |
If you must decorate in advance, keep toppers in their packaging and add them on the day. A cake that travels by car should be decorated at the destination, not at home.
Fondant Cupcake Toppers: Small Decorations, Big Impact
Fondant cupcake toppers turn a tray of plain cupcakes into a themed centrepiece, and they are the fastest win available to a beginner. Because each cupcake is small, a single decoration does all the visual work.
The maths is simple: one pack of six toppers decorates six cupcakes in under a minute. Compare that with piping individual designs by hand, and the time saved is enormous.
Our Food Standards Agency guidance on food additives and colours is worth reading if you are decorating for a large event, as it explains how edible colours are regulated.
Size matters more than people expect. A topper between 3.5cm and 4.5cm sits neatly on a standard cupcake without overbalancing. Anything larger looks crowded and tips over when the cupcake is lifted.
Mermaid Cake Topper - Fondant Birthday Edible Cake Decorations →
For a coordinated look, match the topper colours to your cases and napkins. It is a small detail that makes a home bake look styled rather than assembled.
How to Store Fondant Toppers Before and After the Party
Storing fondant toppers correctly keeps them firm, bright and ready to use, whether that is for a week or for next season.
Before use, keep toppers in their original packaging in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct sunlight. Sugar paste absorbs moisture from the air, so an airtight container is better than an open box. Do not refrigerate them, and do not freeze them.
After the party, edible toppers that have been on a cake should be discarded. Once they have been in contact with buttercream or fresh cream, they are no longer safe to keep.
Unused toppers from an opened pack are a different matter.
- Keep in original packaging until the day
- Store in a cool, dry cupboard, never the fridge
- Seal opened packs in an airtight container
- Keep away from windows and radiators
- Discard any topper that has sat on a cake
Choosing Fondant Toppers for Allergies and Dietary Needs
Choosing allergen-friendly toppers comes down to reading the ingredient list and buying from a maker who is clear about what goes into their sugar paste. For anyone planning a party where a guest has a food allergy, this is not a detail you can guess at.
This is where Simply Toppers was built to help. Our handmade decorations are 100% vegan and vegetarian, and free from dairy and gluten. That combination matters when you are catering for a child with coeliac disease or a guest avoiding animal products, because it removes an entire category of worry from the party planning.
Our product range covers most celebrations:
- Mermaid Cake Topper - Fondant Birthday Edible Cake Decorations for underwater-themed birthdays
- Easter Baby Shower Cake Toppers Set Mother and Baby Rabbits for spring celebrations and new arrivals
- Extra Large Glittered Rose Cake Topper for weddings and milestone occasions
- 6 Cute Baby Elephant Cake Toppers and 6 Baby Teddy Cupcake Toppers for baby showers and christenings
For broader guidance on allergen labelling and what "free from" claims mean in practice, the NHS advice on food allergies is a sensible starting point.
Conclusion
Decorating a cake for a party with dietary requirements can feel like one complication too many, especially when you are already juggling timings and guests. The good news is that the decoration does not have to be the hard part.
Simply Toppers makes handmade edible decorations that are vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free, with over a decade of experience behind every design. Browse the range, choose a design to match your theme, and add it to the cake on the day. Get started with Simply Toppers and give every guest a slice they can actually enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you put fondant toppers on a cake?
Wait until your cake is fully cool and your icing has set. Add a small dab of water, sugar glue, or a little buttercream to the base of the topper, then press it gently into place. For toppers with a flat back, rest them against the side of the cake. Handle them with dry hands and food-safe tweezers if they are small, and avoid pressing too hard or the sugar paste can crack.
Do fondant toppers need to be refrigerated?
No. Fondant toppers should be kept at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Fridge condensation makes sugar paste go sticky and soft, which can ruin the detail and colour. If your cake itself needs chilling, add the toppers after the cake comes out of the fridge and has reached room temperature, ideally shortly before serving.
How far in advance can you put fondant toppers on a cake?
For best results, add fondant toppers on the day of the event, or the evening before if you are short on time. Sugar paste decorations hold their shape well, but humidity and fridge time can soften them. If you need to prepare ahead, store the toppers separately in an airtight container and place them on the cake once it is fully set and ready to display.
Can you put fondant toppers on buttercream?
Yes, fondant toppers sit happily on buttercream, which is one of the easiest surfaces to work with. Chill the buttercream first so it firms up, then press each topper in gently. For heavier decorations, add a small blob of buttercream or a dab of sugar glue underneath to stop them sliding. Avoid pressing too deep or the buttercream will squash around the base.
How do you store fondant cake toppers before using them?
Keep them flat in an airtight container lined with baking paper, somewhere cool and dry, away from windows and radiators. Stack them in a single layer or with paper between rows so the details do not press together. Stored this way, handmade sugar paste toppers stay fresh for several weeks. Once they are on the cake, eat them within a day or two for the best taste and texture.
Can fondant toppers be used on cupcakes?
Absolutely. Fondant cupcake toppers are one of the simplest ways to make a batch of cupcakes look professional. Choose smaller designs, around 2.5 cm to 4 cm, so they sit neatly on the swirl of icing. Press them in gently just before serving, and mix and match colours or characters to tie the whole batch to your party theme.