The end of Flower Week is here. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, don’t worry because you can head back at any time to check out the tutorials for easy, stunning, dimensional flowers. Simply click on an image below to go straight to the tutorial for that flower.
Today we move on to a new summer favorite… butterflies! If you’re not a fan of all the color mixing and cleanup that are typically a part of decorating cookies with royal icing, this is the cookie design for you. “Why?”, you ask. (I know you were asking!) It’s all thanks to the beautiful wafer papers that you can find at Fancy Flours.
What on Earth is wafer paper? (I can read your mind!) It’s an edible paper made from potato starch that contains a printed image made using USDA approved food coloring. Basically, wafer paper allows you to create incredibly detailed designs on cookies (and other baked goods) that you otherwise could not create. Well, maybe you could if you’re Arty McGoo! (Consider that a hint that you’re missing out if you haven’t seen Arty McGoo’s cookie decorating blog.)
Gotta have some wafer paper of your own? (Of course you do!) Well, stay tuned after the tutorial to enter for a chance to win 3 sets of edible wafer paper from Fancy Flours.
How To Make Wafer Paper Butterfly Cookies
To make wafer paper butterfly cookies, you will need:
- Cookies made from your favorite sugar cookie recipe and cut using butterfly cookie cutters
- Icing made from your favorite royal icing recipe in blue and green (or other colors matching your wafer paper butterflies)
- Butterfly wafer paper from Fancy Flours
- Clear piping gel
- Rainbow disco dust***
- Ziploc bags (or icing bags or bottles, couplers, and tips)
- Toothpicks, scribe, or boo-boo stick (optional)
- A food safe paint brush (optional)
- A pair of food safe scissors
Typically when I decorate cookies using royal icing, I use icing bags with decorating tips. Since these wafer paper butterfly cookies don’t require any detailing, I decided to keep it simple by using Ziploc bags instead.
Use gel food coloring to dye your royal icing to match the colors in your butterfly wafer paper. Water down your icing to a 10-count consistency and then load each color into a separate Ziploc bag.
If you need help with icing color or consistency, check out the How To Make Royal Icing section of 101 Essential Cookie Decorating Resources.
Snip off the corner of a Ziploc bag and pipe a border around the edge of a butterfly cookie. Immediately fill the entire cookie surface with icing. Run a toothpick, scribe, or boo-boo stick through the icing to help smooth it out and pop any air bubbles.
While the icing is still wet, sprinkle the surface with rainbow disco dust. To ensure that I don’t overdo it, I like to dip a food safe paint brush into the disco dust, hold it above my cookie, and tap it with my finger. This method gives my cookies a light dusting of disco dust with plenty of noticeable sparkle.
***UPDATE: Please note that since this blog post was written, I have discovered that there is some debate over the use of disco dust on food products. It is marketed for cake decorating, but it is not FDA approved and is labeled only as “non-toxic”. My understanding is that it is not digested by the body and will pass through harmlessly in small amounts. For an edible alternative to disco dust, try Wilton Cake Sparkles
Repeat this process with each cookie, moving onto the next step only after the icing has completely dried. I like to let my iced cookies dry overnight on a cookie sheet protected by a mesh food cover.
Use a pair of food safe scissors to cut out each of your wafer paper butterflies.
Working one cookie at a time, pipe a thin line of clear piping gel onto the center of the cookie where you will be placing a wafer paper butterfly. Spread a small amount of piping gel onto the surface of the wafer paper where the butterfly wings meet the body. Fold the wings of the butterfly up at a 45-degree angle and apply it to your cookie using the line of piping gel as glue. If the wings of your butterfly start to fall, you may need to prop them up with a cookie cutter or other small object until the piping gel dries.
The wafer paper is thin and crisp. Adding piping gel to the surface helps to soften the paper and reduce the chances of breakage. I found that covering the entire surface of the wafer paper made it too sticky to work with, so I suggest only using the piping gel on areas that will be folded.
Wafer Paper Giveaway
Now that you see how easy it is to create stunningly detailed cookies using wafer paper, it’s time for you to enter for a chance to win your own collection of wafer paper!
Giveaway Details:
One (1) winner will receive (3) sets of wafer paper from Fancy Flours.
The giveaway will run through Wednesday, July 17th. Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Start by leaving a comment on this post. You can earn up to 5 additional entries right now. Plus, you can come back each day for an additional entry by tweeting about the giveaway.
Disclosure: I received sets of Fancy Flours wafer paper for use in this and other tutorials. I was not compensated for a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
These cookies are absolutely gorgeous. I have to try wafer paper. Saw them on Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop
Christie – Food Done Light recently posted..Blueberry Chipotle Fish Tacos
Thanks, Christie!
Thanks for the disco dust brush tip! Great idea for just the right amount of sparkle!!
Disco dust is so fun, Sharon! I hope you get the chance to try out the tip!
I love the seashell cupcake wrappers!
Kendra recently posted..B.A.M: Etsy Blogs Showcase
I absolutely LOVE these butterfly papers. OMG so realistic!
the little froggies are so cute!!!
These butterflies are so pretty and wow…really give personality to the cookies! You have taken cookie decoration to a whole different level.
Lizy @ http://justdipitinchocolate.blogspot.com/ recently posted..Cheesy Rice Hominy and Chicken Casserole Recipe
Thanks for the sweet compliment about my butterfly cookies! The great thing about this design is that it’s super easy with the use if wafer paper.
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These are beautiful!!! I would love for you to share and link up at my weekly TGIF Link Party if you haven’t already this week. Your favorite posts, most popular, recent or new! The party is open every Thursday night and closes Tuesday’s at midnight. Followed by (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/.
I would be honored if you join us and follow to stay connected Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cathy
These are amazing! Thanks for sharing at my Pin Me Party!
Diana Rambles recently posted..Pin Me Linky Party #41
Thanks for stopping by to check out my Wafer Paper Butterfly Cookies, Diana!
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Beautiful cookies!! Seems relatively easy with stunning results…..
Thanks, Barb! That’s what I love about wafer paper, easy and stunning!
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i love these cookies. You explain things so even a beginner like me can understand!!!!