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How to make gum paste butterflies

by Louise 21 Comments

gum paste butterflies

I really like the black cutters from Patchwork Cutters. Especially the set: Butterfly, Ladybird & Bee. The set do come with instructions on how to use the cutters but I have found my own way to work with the cutters. I find my way a lot more easy, even if it seems time consuming at first….

Let me show you how I do it!

This is what I use:
Butterfly, Ladybird & Bee set from Patchwork Cutters
Gum paste (white or colored in the colors that you like)
Non stick work board
Rolling pin
Cornstarch for dusting your work board
Cardstock paper (to make small drying racks)
Exacto knife (scalpel)
Cutting board (when working with the exacto knife)
Plastic wrap
Paper towel
Optional:
Lustre dust
soft brush

Note: Remember that the exacto knife is very sharp, so be careful when working with it!

Step 1:
Take the cardstock paper and fold it down the middle. Then fold each side back again and you now have a “V” shaped rack for the butterflies.
Gum paste butterflies

Step 2:
Take your gum paste, knead and roll it out on a little cornstarch. It should be about 1-2mm thick. Take the cutters that you want to use and emboss the gum paste.
Embossing gum paste

Step 3:
Transfer the embossed piece of gum paste to the cutting board. Cut out all the butterflies roughly with the exacto knife and place a piece of plastic wrap on top.
Gum paste butterflies

Step 4:
Take out 1 butterfly at a time and cut it out with the pointy tip of the exacto knife. Always cut from “A to B” instead of doing the cutting in one go. The more times you do it, the faster you get. Just don’t cut your fingers!
Gum paste butterflies

Step 5:
Take up the butterfly and smooth out any rough edges with your fingers.
Gum paste butterflies

Step 6:
Gently bend the butterfly and place it in the “V” rack. Continuing making more butterflies if needed or if you just want to stock a little on your cake decorating supply.
Gum paste butterfly

Step 7:
If you like, you can give the butterflies a little color with some lustre dusts and a soft brush. Do this before you place the butterfly in the “V” rack.
Gum paste butterfly

Let the butterflies dry for a couple of days before gently packing them in airtight boxes with some paper towel between the layers.

More butterflies? See my tutorial on how to decorate sugar cookies with rolled fondant

Happy Caking!

Louise

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. desiree

    July 28, 2014 at 9:43 PM

    Hi,

    what do you use to make the butterflies. I have been on the hunt for something like that but I can’t seem to find anything. Where can I purchase one or what is the exact name. Thank you in advance for your time and help.

    Desiree

    Reply
  2. Fallon

    February 3, 2013 at 5:04 AM

    Thank you for laying out the steps so clearly and simply! I’m hoping to make these butterflies to decorate cupcakes for my sister’s first baby shower. I can’t wait to practice and make these little gems! Thank you again!

    Reply
  3. farnaz

    October 30, 2012 at 7:28 AM

    dear louise
    I need the gum paste recipes
    i am a bigginer
    i really enjoy your site
    please make a barbie doll cake ,
    Thanks <3

    Reply
    • Louise

      November 1, 2012 at 8:02 PM

      I use this one: https://www.wilton.com/forums/attachments/NLTlyoseGumpaste_226092.pdf

      Reply
  4. Farnaz

    October 29, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    I dont know how to make gum paste
    do you buy it ready or you make it?
    please let me know
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Louise

      October 29, 2012 at 11:13 PM

      I make it myself

      Reply
  5. DR@ Best Cake Blog

    October 3, 2012 at 5:00 PM

    Those butterflies are AMAZINGLY beautiful and what a great tutorial on making them using the gum paste. Very informative..great for decorating some equally amazing cakes!

    Reply
  6. Caroline

    August 31, 2012 at 6:39 AM

    I have these cutters also. I love them, even if they are a bit fiddly to work with. I use three different coloured fondants for a rainbow look, and marbelling looks great too. Love your site

    Reply
  7. Bakery Online Shop

    August 29, 2012 at 8:19 AM

    A great tutorial on how to cut butterflies perfectly. Very neat work and well done. I had been looking for this as I just made a cake so its time to decorate it now with butterflies and other objects.

    Reply
  8. Francesca

    August 28, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    E’ tutto meraviglioso sul tuo blog. Bravissima!

    Reply
  9. Juli

    August 28, 2012 at 3:35 AM

    what do you mean by “kitchen paper”? lol
    Sorry, but I cant figure that one out…Do you mean Paper Towel, parchment paper, or wax paper?

    Reply
    • Louise

      August 29, 2012 at 11:03 AM

      Oh sorry of course I meant paper towel 😉 Will correct that. Thx

      Reply
  10. Ckay

    August 27, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    Wonderful Tutorial, thank you for sharing <3

    Reply
  11. Zoe

    August 27, 2012 at 7:16 PM

    Why don’t you just cut them out with the butterfly cutters instead of an exacto blade?

    Reply
    • Louise

      August 27, 2012 at 9:43 PM

      Of course I could do that only that I have tried these different cutters so many times and end up with either a broken piece or the gum paste simply not release from the cutter. I find this way with the exacto blade just as easy 🙂

      Reply
  12. Holiday Baker Man

    August 27, 2012 at 4:42 PM

    Very cool.

    Reply
  13. Mi vida en un dulce

    August 27, 2012 at 2:37 PM

    I’m glad to know you used to cut the shapes with a knife, and that I’m not the only one. I love Patchwork Cutters, but I found not so easy to use unless with your method.

    Reply
    • Louise

      August 27, 2012 at 9:45 PM

      🙂

      Reply
  14. vineeta

    August 27, 2012 at 9:56 AM

    beautiful!!!!

    Reply
  15. Cara Maartens

    August 27, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    Great tips! I love these cutters but they are a bit tricky to work with, espesially if the gumpaste sticks to them, will try this method next time! Thanx Louise

    Reply
  16. ThisBakerGirlBlogs

    August 27, 2012 at 8:47 AM

    The butterflies look lovely! A great tutorial! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply

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