How on earth do I get the perfectly looking half round top for a christmas ball cupcake made out of either fondant or gumpaste?

I think there is a tutorial in the article section...Some used the wilton mini ball pan to achieve the domed look.Cut off the cupcake flat and attach the half ball.Then cover in fondant...

Someone once posted they uses a half circle chocolate mold, melted the chocoalte and poured it into the mold and then once it was set around the the outside they poured the remaining chocolate out so they had kind of like a chocolate dome left and placed this on top of the cupcake... does that make any sense? I know it was posted here last year so I will try and find the post for you because I don't think I explained it very well

Thanks for your suggestions!

I wasn't on the site yet last Christmas but am intrigued! I'd love to see a picture of what op is trying to achieve!

There's also these little baking molds. One of those sizes I think it's the size of the top of a cupcake.

http://www.pastrychef.com/HEMISPHERE-MOLDS_p_1228.html

ajwonka, these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44563616@N02/4097444657/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmalyan/5287345842/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44563616@N02/4097444019/

I have a few examples in my gallery and used the mini half ball. They all came out perfect, every time.

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1896355
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1174943

Here is a pic

I ordered this silicone hemisphere baking tray to make ornament cakes this coming holiday.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004G2VXEK/?tag=cakecentral-20

I'm still not sure how I'm going to be able to cover them with fondant in a smooth fashion. Anyone have any ideas s to techniques?

It is actually very easy. don't use too thick of a layer of BC on the surface. The more BC the more likely it will pick up dimples. The half balls are smooth and the fondant will shape to the surface.

That silicone pan is exactly like the Wilton half ball, but Wilton is metal.

And actually, before I tried on actual cupcakes, I turned the pan upside down and practiced on the pan. Once I was comfortable and found the right amount of fondant to use, then I covered the actual cupcake.

gscout73, thank you so much for the great info. As always, the CC members are generous beyond belief in their help.

Did you then place the hemisphere on top of a flat cupcake top or did you "glue" the two halfs together to get an actual ball? I like the concept of the ball but wonder if perhaps the bottom cupcake shape is easier to eat. I have to have some practical way for people to eat the final product.