Fondant can be made at home easily using a few simple ingredients like marshmallows, powdered sugar, water, and vegetable shortening. The most common method involves melting marshmallows with water, then mixing in powdered sugar gradually until it forms a smooth, pliable dough that can be kneaded and colored as desired.

Basic Steps to Make Fondant:

• Melt about 1 pound of marshmallows in the microwave in short bursts with a small amount of water until fully melted.
• Pour the melted marshmallows into a mixing bowl and add vegetable shortening.
• Gradually add powdered sugar (about 8 cups sifted) one cup at a time while mixing until the fondant becomes smooth and starts to pull away from the bowl.
• Knead the fondant on a surface dusted with powdered sugar until it is soft, stretchy, and not sticky.
• If coloring the fondant, add food coloring and knead thoroughly to mix evenly.
• Store fondant wrapped in plastic and airtight to prevent drying out.

This method is inexpensive, quick (around 10 minutes), and produces fondant that's easy to roll out for cake decorating or sculpting.