How to Make a Fondant Trilobite
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An extinct sea creature made of tasty sugary stuff? Yum!
Trilobites are extinct marine creatures that looked kind of like pillbugs - the little fellas that roll up in a ball. They are cool looking creatures that have left some amazing fossils. But why make fondant trilobites?
Trilobites are also associated with steampunk to some degree (at least mechanical trilobites are!) and I plan to make a steampunk cake shortly so I had to come up with a method to make some trilobites. For now, the tutorial only covers how to make a regular trilobite, but, I assure you, I'll be adding new templates and instructions on how to make a steampunk trilobite soon!
Contents at a Glance
What You Will Need to make a Fondant Trilobite
* Fondant in your choice of colors
* A rolling pin to roll out fondant
* Non-stick cooking spray
* Waxed paper
* A craft knife (such as an Exacto knife) or other sharp knife
* A metal spatula
* A printout of the Fondant Trilobite Template
* Food coloring and gold or silver Pearl dust or Luster dust(optional)
Fondant Trilobite Template

Print out this image to the desired size for use as your fondant trilobite template.
My Favorite Fondant Recipe
Step One - Cut Out the Base

Roll out your fondant to about a quarter of an inch thick on a piece of waxed paper that has been sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray using a rolling pin that has also been sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
Cut out the egg-shaped base for the fondant trilobite by laying your printed template over the fondant and using a craft knife to cut the fondant.

Fondant Trilobite Base
Step Two - Cut Out the Head Base

Roll out your fondant to about an eighth of an inch thick and cut out the curved head base of the trilobite.

Trilobite Head Base
Step Three - Cut Out the Head Center

Roll out your fondant to about an eighth of an inch thick and cut out the head center of the trilobite with a sharp knife.

Head Center
Step Four - Cut Out the Body Detail

Roll out your fondant to about an eighth of an inch thick and cut out the detailed body piece of the trilobite with a sharp knife.
This is the most difficult piece to cut out, in my opinion. It is helpful to spray the knife with non-stick cooking spray, wiping the knife clean and re-applying whenever any fondant sticks to the blade.

Body Detail
Step Five - Cut out the Eyes and Face Detail

Roll out your fondant to about an eighth of an inch thick and cut out the eyes (the part that looks kind of like a mushroom) and the face detail (the part that looks like a little egg shape) using a sharp knife.

Eyes and Face Detail
Step Six

Pick up the individual pieces of the trilobite by gently sliding a metal spatula between the waxed paper and the fondant and carefully transferring them to your hand to position them.
Apply the body detailing piece to the fondant trilobite base as pictured. As long as the fondant is still flexible, it should stick together if gently pressed.
Step Seven

Apply the head base next, slightly overlapping the body detail piece.
Step Eight

Apply the head center on top of the head base.
Step Nine

Apply the eyes (the mushroom shaped thing) on top of the head center as shown.
Step Ten

Apply the head detail piece (the little egg-shaped bit) between the eyes.
Step Eleven

Use a knife to score the body detailing piece as shown to make the center look as if it is made of segments.
Optional Steps

To give your fondant trilobite a bit of sparkle you can make a paint of edible Pearl dust or Luster dust and food coloring. Use about three drops of food coloring to about six drops of water and add a sixteenth of a teaspoon (just a tiny pinch) of Pearl dust or Luster dust. You can use a pastry brush, clean art paintbrush, or cotton swab to apply this paint.
For more detailing you can make tiny prick marks in the eyes of the trilobite using the very tip of your craft knife or a toothpick.
Fondant Trilobite Front View

Fondant Trilobite Top View

Edible Pearl Dust and Luster Dust
Was This Page about How to Make a Fondant Trilobite Helpful?
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What Do You Think about Edible Trilobites?
What are your thoughts on edible trilobites, fondant or otherwise?
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TrainYourDogHere
Feb 5, 2011 @ 1:37 am | delete
- You did a fantastic job. The little guy looks like he could just swim away!
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tandemonimom
Sep 25, 2010 @ 5:20 pm | delete
- These are fantastic! I called my kids over and they all got a real kick out of it!
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Kate-Phizackerley
Dec 9, 2009 @ 5:03 pm | delete
- Another fantastic lens. Blessed.
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MiaBellezza
Sep 11, 2009 @ 3:48 pm | delete
- Oh what fun; 5* and lensrolled your how to make a fondant trilobite into Dragon Masks and Hats. I'm sure somebody would love to make this weird and wonderful, yet kinda creepy cake for their next Dragon Party!
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JELewis
Aug 6, 2009 @ 8:08 pm | delete
- Really weird, but really cool!
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Fun Fondant Tools
by Kylyssa
I am a "retired" florist turned freelance writer. I enjoy cooking, keeping saltwater fish, and baking fun cakes. I have had some unusual life-experien... more »
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