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How to Make Fractal Cupcakes

Nov 22, 2011 08:08 PM

Last post, we looked at fractal cookies based off of the recipe by Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories. In this post, we'll follow their recipe for fractal cupcakes based off of the Koch Snowflake, which we used previously to decorate pumpkins for Halloween.

Blue and white star-shaped cupcake topping

This past Sunday, I decided to try their method with another fractal, the Sierpinski Triangle.

Decorative cookies arranged in a star pattern on a plate.

If you're going to make these, I strongly suggest you read the Evil Mad Scientist's post on fractal cupcakes and fractals from clay carefully.

Materials and Tools

Cupcakes (I used a devil's food cake recipe)
Fondant
Sharp knife

Making the Fractal Cupcakes

Roll out a tube of fondant.

White cylindrical object on a red surface.

Start forming an equilateral triangle by pinching the sides and squeezing down the base.

Blue modeling clay rolled into a stick shape on a red surface.

Roll over and do the above step repeatedly until you are happy with your evenly formed equilateral triangle prism. Use a sharp knife to trim edges and cut into three even pieces.

Blue chalk pieces arranged on a red surface.

Repeat the above steps using fondant of a different color. You will need as many pieces of this color as iterations of the fractal. Form the fractal using these four pieces. You might want to use a tiny bit of water to make the pieces stick together.

Block of light blue and white modeling clay on a red cutting surface.

Stretch the triangular prism out to 3 times the original length, being careful to keep the equilateral triangle shape. You will need to rotate this often.

Blue modeling clay on a red surface.

Use a sharp knife to trim the edges and cut into 3 equal pieces.

Colorful triangular soap dish on a red surface.

Form the next iteration by combining the three pieces with another piece of a different color in the middle.

Colorful origami paper sculpture on a red surface.

Stretch to 3 times the length, and cut into 3 equal pieces.

Blue triangular-shaped food item on a red surface.

Form the next iteration of the fractal.

Folded origami shaped like a mountain.

Stretch it out just a bit more so that the pieces merge together. Cut into thin slices with a really sharp knife.

Triangular blue and white patterned geometric shape on a red background.

Ready for cupcakes.

Hamantaschen cookies arranged on a red surface.

Put the fondant pieces on the cupcakes.

Chocolate cookies with blue patterned icing arranged in a floral design on a plate.

Show Off Your Work

If you make the cupcakes or any of the other previous Math Craft projects, please share with us by posting to the corkboard. I'd love to see someone make the Koch Snowflake ones.

If you like these types of projects, let me know in the comments. If you have any other ideas you would like to pursue, let me know in the forum.

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