Design a beautiful, edible butterfly out of rice paper and edible paint.
Butterflies add a touch of magic, springtime and whimsy to anything they adorn. Incorporate the beauty and enchantment of butterflies in your next party or event with edible pieces that make lovely additions to a birthday or party cake. Does this Spark an idea?
Icing Butterflies
Edible butterflies made from icing add to both the visual appeal and sweet flavor of a cake. Fresh icing butterflies are easy to create, even for beginning cake decorators. Royal icing works best because its stiffness makes for bold, thick butterfly embellishments. Use a piping bag with a pointed tip to form a thin, long butterfly body. For the wings, make four teardrop shapes, slightly overlapping two outward-pointing tear drops on each side of the body, so the upper and lower wing portions protrude from the thin body. Use a toothpick to create a small head and spiral or wiry antennae at the top of the body, and finish with a dusting of edible cake glitter or colored sugar for an extra-special touch.
Sugar Butterflies
Sugar butterflies have a delicate look and are relatively simple to make. Fresh gum paste, a soft, pliable sugar dough, is easy to mold and form in any shape or size. If you have artistic skill, sculpt butterflies from a ball of soft gum paste using your fingers or a thin paintbrush. An easier method is to press the soft paste into a plastic butterfly mold and carefully lift and remove the flower with a small butter knife or flat toothpick. Use a fine paintbrush and edible decorating paint to add small details to butterfly cake pieces.
Candy Butterflies
Hard candy butterflies are a playful, gem-like alternative to icing and gum paste cake decorations. Purchase candy butterfly pieces from a confectionary or candy shop and apply to the cake surface using royal icing as a bonding agent. You can also make your own candy butterflies with a simple sugar candy recipe and candy molds. If you choose ready-made butterfly candy, gummy or bubble gum butterflies also add a playful, creative and yummy touch to cake.
Butterfly Pops
Butterfly pops are easy to make and can add a touch of playfulness and whimsy to an otherwise ordinary cake. Make chocolate butterfly pops with butterfly candy molds, long lollipop sticks and chocolate melting chips in bright or pastel colors. Heat the chips on the stove in double boiler, pour into butterfly molds, place the sticks in the ready-made grooves and refrigerate until pops are hardened. Or, use a sugar candy recipe to make translucent, gem-like butterfly pops. Insert the sticks into the cake for a unique decoration that doubles as an additional party treat.
Tags: butterfly candy, candy butterflies, candy molds, candy recipe, soft paste, sugar candy, sugar candy recipe