This original idea is not my own, it is actually from my favourite new magazine collection – Cake Decorating. I have just heard that they will be selling in New Zealand this year as well so that is very exciting for our lovely seaside neighbours. I love these little cuties. I kept some to use on cupcakes on their own but they look very pretty flying above the cake. This cake was for my little neice’s Naming Day.
I do recommend that you start this little project about a week before they need to be put onto a cake. If you are running short on time, you can place a cardboard box over them to absorb some of the moisture. It works and I think it is a great tip. I hope it helps all of my last minute friends 
You Need:
Ingredients
- 150g sugar paste
- 1 tiny dab baby pink gel food colouring (I use wilton)
- 1 tablespoon pure icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon edible glitter
- 1 tiny dish of cold water
Royal Icing
- 1 egg white, from 59g free range egg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cup pure icing sugar
Equipment
- rolling pin
- small flat pallet knife
- 2 white cake decorating wires
- A4 sheet cardboard, folded 4cm apart
- small paint brush (new)
- Prepare the cardboard resting tray by bending it every 4cm. One forward, one back until you have completed the sheet. Set aside on an oven tray or chopping board so it is easy to move.
- Take the sugar paste and blend the food colouring through it using a kneading motion in the palm of your hand. Knead until it forms an even colour or if you want it like mine, just until it marbles.
- Dust a clean bench surface and the sugar paste ball with the icing sugar and place onto the bench to begin rolling.
- Roll the sugar paste out until it is approximately 2mm thick. I found that the thinner the better for the butterflies that will go on the wire because they are much lighter.
- Using the cookie cutter, cut the butterflies out and place them onto the cardboard tray with a wing on each side of the carboard crease. Gently, using the pallet knife, push the centre of the butterfly down to form a small indent where the body will be iced. Repeat until all are created and allow to stand in a cool dry place for 1 week.
- Dip the paint brush into the water and then into the glitter and then brush gently onto the butterfly until it has the pattern that you want.
- I did a few variations of the wing glitter but my favourite was the all over glitter.
- To make royal icing: whisk the egg white using an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add the lemon juice and icing sugar and whisk until whipped and fluffy, approximately 4 minutes. Pour into a piping bag with size 4# piping tip attatched.
- To pipe the body of the butterfly, pipe one dot and then a thin strip of icing approximately 10mm long. Allow to dry for an hour. To make the flying butterflies, turn the butterflies over on a piece of paper towel and pipe a 10mm strip along the back. Cut the wires to the desired length and place into the icing. Allow to set for 2 hours.
Cass, that is incredible. Such a work of art. The butterflies are beautiful, as are the little alphabet blocks – are they cubes of fondant? I’m guessing you were a very popular Auntie!
She was more worried about her bottle but everyone else loved it
they are little cubes of sugar paste. Modeling paste is the best!
My goodness Cass – these are amazing! They would take any cake from average to outstanding
Thanks Kari
I’m going to use some for cupcakes soon!
That cake looks amazing – this is just the sort of thing I see and love and never do because I am not so good with fiddly and I can imagine a small girl at our place would be all over these before they dried if given half the chance – but I love how easy you make it look and am still keeping this in mind for the right cake!
I’m so glad you like them
So pretty for little girls!
Thanks for the tutorial, Cass. I am always trying to improve my cake decor skills and this is so useful.
It’s not much compared to your stuff Mich but I’m trying new things!
just love this!! what a perfect way to top of a cake or cupcake! must try this
Thank you! I will be doing more in other colours now.
These are so lovely. The step by step pictures are really useful. I even feel like I could be successful at these!
Thanks Caroline
You are one talented girl. I love this!!!
Thanks Asmita
These are absolutely beautiful my friend, well done
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks Uru!
A beautiful cake! I love the pretty decorations.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa
Wowza! These are too pretty. I’ve never done anything so ambitious in my decorating career, but this looks pretty doable thanks to your step-by-step photos.
Hopefully it’s easy to follow Sydney
wow! This is beautiful! where were you when I got married
Hehe I would have loved to make your wedding cake!
These are just so beautiful. What a gorgeous addition to a cake or cupcakes. Thank you for sharing another beautiful post. I hope you are having a joyful week. You certainly made mine a bit brighter!
Oh thanks Monet
I hope everything is going really well with you and your bubba!
Cass, I adore these butterflies! Of course, all over glitter is the way to go, one can never have too much glitter!
I agree Kari!
You are an artist!!! Look at that pretty cake – I am sure it was delicious
Thank you Anne
It was really yummy!