Butterfly Cookies, Butterfly Cakes {Wafer Paper Tutorial}
I know I promised a tutorial on those edible wafer paper butterflies from L’s first birthday. And I haven’t forgotten, I’ve just been busy. You know, making rose cakes.
My first glimpse of wafer paper butterflies was on this cake by Martha Stewart a few years ago. Have you seen it? It’s just gorgeous. I love the simplicity of the white undecorated cake with the butterflies cascading up the side. Ever since I saw this cake I have been wanting to try wafer paper. I finally got the chance for L’s birdy/Springtime birthday party, and found it was an easy process. Time consuming? Yes. Difficult? No.
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| Martha Stewart |
The delicate butterflies remind me of a display I saw a few years ago at Neiman Marcus. There were hundreds (thousands?) of strands of sparkling butterflies hung from the ceiling. Does NM still have this up? Hello… I have two small kids, I am not shopping at NM just to have my cashmere barfed on.
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| flickr photo |
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| L’s birthday cookies. Try this Lemon Sugar Cookie recipe. Really. Try it. |
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| Butterflies come printed with edible ink on wafer paper sheets. They look rather dull at first, but come to life after a coat of writing gel and glitter. |
If you make your own wafer paper baking creation I would love to see it!
Want more butterflies? Click here to see my fave butterfly girl! And stay posted, I’ll have a very special butterfly and food related giveaway to share with you very soon.
Materials for 24 edible wafer paper butterflies
Wafer paper sheets. I got mine at Fancy Flours. $10 for two 8 x 10″ sheets.
Clear writing gel
Scissors
2 empty egg cartons
Edible glitter (I used shimmer dust for fondant I had on hand)
Spread a thin layer of clear writing gel over one butterfly. Carefully cut out. Sprinkle with edible glitter or shimmer. Gently bend the wings toward each other and place in an egg carton well to dry. Repeat until all the butterflies are finished. Butterflies can be made as far in advance as you like. I made mine weeks in advance and stored in a glass container. Before serving, use a little of the writing gel to “glue” your butterfly to your cookie or cake.
What a beautiful cake!
I love this idea! So gorgeous! Not to mention, the “Martha Stewart” cake is insane! I'm definitely going to give this a try?
Are there any other options besides the butterflies? If so, where might you suggest I go to find additional designs?
I love your blog!
Baby Talk without the Babble
Your cookies look beautiful and so impressive. The “icing on the cake” is that they are pretty simple too:)
Amazing. So stylish and delicate. In my nest life I'd like to come back as Martha 😉
Very special, and delicate. That cake is shockingly gorgeous…I would hate to even slice in!
Wow, I would never guess that something so pretty was that easy to make! You've got me dreaming about a butterfly cake for my little girl some day. Hey thanks for taking the time to go over and read my guest post!!
Totally beautiful, love the colors on the butterflies. Thanks for passing by my blog, will visiting from now on. 🙂
Your blog is absolutely beautiful!! I love it!! I am your newest follower! Thanks for the support and sweet comments!!
XOXO
Sadie Jane
btw, i just finished reading a good bit of your blog and i'm adding you to my bloglist. your posts are just beautiful!
xo
janet
this is really interesting. I am so happy i stumbled on your blog (via thedoctorscloset.com, I had commented just below you on a post over there), I am def adding you to the blogroll!
Have a beautiful Easter weekend with your beautiful girls.
xx
Christina
christinaandcompany.blogspot.com
Hi there@
Gorgeous Blog! C- told me about it today! I love the photographs you are taking so so great! You will love Sunday- Suppers Blog- Check it out.
So fun to see these Butterflies! I heard all about them@
x From Chicago
Hi, I just found your blog and I love it!! I have a quick question for you. Is 'writing gel' the same as 'piping gel'? if so, what brand do you use or where do you find writing gel?
Ok, thank you and have a wonderful day!
Rosie
Hi Rosie! Thanks so much for the kind comment 🙂
I got the “writing gel” at Fancy Flours online. Here is the link: http://www.fancyflours.com/product/Clear-Writing-Gel/s
I'm not sure where else you could get the clear. Maybe craft or baking stores? Hope that helps!
Hello did you have to have a special kind of printer to print them out? These are just beautiful! I really want to try and make these for my friends birthday in February.
Hi Ann, I didn't print anything out. I ordered the butterfly wafer paper from Fancy Flours here: http://www.fancyflours.com/category/s?keyword=butterfly+wafer+paper
Aren't they pretty?! It's totally edible rice paper.
Very cool! I'm headed there now to have a look. Thanks and yes they are beautiful!
Thanks for sharing. I will try to do this, but i think Joseph is right , you need eggs butter and little bit anise seed. and then it will be More tastier .Thanks for sharing. I will try to do this, but i think Joseph is right , you need eggs butter and little bit anise seed. and then it will be More tastier . But the photo looks cool, thank you very much! But the photo looks cool, thank you very much!