Today we’re sharing an easy, charming idea for Father’s Day cupcakes: colorful fondant “Ties & Tees” toppers. These playful designs work well all year long, and they’re a simple way to celebrate the dads in your life with a personal touch.
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Our Father’s Day Cupcake Toppers
I chose a theme of neckties and t-shirts because both are versatile and fun to personalize. Neckties make adorable cupcake toppers, and t-shirts let you add sayings, logos or simple doodles to suit any dad—whether he likes golf, gadgets, or a good dad joke. This theme is flexible, easy to make, and a great way to add humor or personality to your cupcakes.
How to Make Father’s Day Cupcakes
This design focuses on colorful ties and funny t-shirts. You don’t need specialized cutters—a 1½-inch square cutter works well for t-shirts and collared shirts. Roll out fondant, optionally kneading in a little tylose powder to speed drying, and cut squares that will become your shirts.
Trim the lower corners of the square to form short sleeves, then turn the sleeves down slightly for a natural look. For a t-shirt neck, press a piping tip into the top edge to create a rounded neckline. For a collared shirt, make a small vertical slit and fold down both sides to form the collar—this creates a polo or short-sleeve button-down appearance depending on how you shape it.
Let shirts dry on a surface lightly dusted with cornstarch or powdered sugar to prevent sticking. For ties, roll fondant and cut out necktie shapes—using one tie as a template helps keep sizes consistent. If you prefer, create a paper template from cardstock and use it to cut multiple ties quickly.
Attach the tie to the shirt by dampening the back with a tiny bit of water and pressing into place. Add a small dot of fondant at the top to create the knot and smooth the joint. If you want faster drying, work with a little tylose mixed into your fondant.
Food Coloring Pens
Food coloring pens are ideal for adding text, logos, or small illustrations once your fondant pieces have set. Brands like Americolor and edible ink pens work well, but if you don’t have pens you can make edible paint by mixing a tiny amount of vodka or lemon extract with gel food coloring and applying it with a fine brush or toothpick. Use pens or paint to write short phrases, draw patterns, or add small details that make each topper special.
Try simple themes: sports, hobbies, silly slogans, or inside jokes. Small, readable text and bold icons tend to look best on tiny t-shirt toppers.
A Note About Airtight Containers
A word about storage: I don’t recommend sealing fondant-topped cupcakes in completely airtight containers. Moisture trapped inside can soften liners or fondant accents. It’s safer to let your cupcakes breathe a bit—using a bakery box or a lightly vented container works well. If refrigerated, a standard bakery box in the fridge keeps decorations safe without risking softened fondant or peeling liners.
Have fun!
That’s all there is to it—simple, customizable, and delightful. These toppers are easy to adapt for birthdays, baby showers, or any occasion that calls for a playful, personalized treat. Try out different tie patterns, t-shirt slogans, and color combinations to match the recipient. If you like this idea, consider also trying a coffee mug topper or other themed decorations to complement your cupcakes.
