Butterflies are a beautiful way to finish cakes and cupcakes, instantly turning simple bakes into elegant, eye-catching centrepieces. Whether I’m decorating for a relaxed garden party, a baby shower, or a children’s birthday, gum paste butterflies add that delicate, magical touch that makes cakes feel truly special.
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to make gum paste butterflies for cakes and cupcakes, using simple techniques to create realistic 3D butterfly cake decorations. This is a practical skill every cake decorator can use to elevate their bakes with edible butterfly toppers that look professional and refined.
If you’re new to working with gum paste, don’t worry, I’ve included my recipe (along with how to make Tylose glue) below, so you can confidently create your own butterflies for cakes from scratch.
Gum Paste Recipe as well as Tylose Glue.
How to Make Gum Paste Butterflies for Cakes and Cupcakes
Gum paste butterflies are a popular choice for cake decorating because they dry firm, hold their shape beautifully, and can be made well in advance. While they are technically edible, they are best used as decorative elements rather than something meant to be eaten.
By shaping the wings into a gentle curve and allowing them to dry properly, you can create lightweight 3D butterflies that sit beautifully on cupcakes and cakes.
Why You Will Love these Gum Paste Butterflies
Making gum paste butterflies is a wonderfully creative way to personalise cupcakes and cakes while adding a refined, professional finish. The method is simple to follow, yet the final result looks intricate and impressive – perfect when you want your cupcakes to stand out without complicated techniques.
These butterflies are ideal for spring weddings, baby showers, tea parties, and themed children’s celebrations. They can be made in advance, customised in any colour, and shaped into beautiful 3D forms that bring movement and elegance to your designs.
With just a few tools and ingredients, you’ll toppers that instantly elevate your decorating skills.
For the perfect match, pair these butterfly toppers with my Cupcake Recipe and Butter Icing Recipe. And if you’re enjoying working with gum paste, my Carrot Toppers are another fun and practical project that works beautifully for cupcake decorating and seasonal bakes.
How to Make Stunning Gum Paste Butterflies for Your Cakes and Cupcakes
Equipment
- 1 Biscuit Box for 3D support
- 1 Smooth chopping board
- 1 Fondant Rolling Pin
- 1 Butterfly cookie cutter
- 1 Knife
- 1 Stamen decorations
- 1 Scissors
- 1 Fondant/Gum Paste decorating tool
Ingredients
- 1 Batch Gum Paste
- Powdered or Gel Food Coloring
- Holsum or Shortening
- Shimmer powder or Luster dust
- Tylose Glue
- Extra icing if necessary
Instructions
- Colour the gum paste with your chosen food colouring.
- Apply Holsum or shortening to a smooth cutting board and roll out the gum paste thinly.
- Use a butterfly cookie cutter to cut 3-4 butterflies, remembering that the gum paste dries quickly.
- Apply luster dust or shimmer powder to the butterflies using a small piece of sponge.
- Roll a small amount of gum paste into a sausage shape, thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom, to create the thorax.
- Attach the thorax to the butterfly with a small amount of Tylose glue, pressing it down in three places with a knife.
- Insert two stamen decorations for the antennae.
- Allow the butterflies to dry on the cardboard biscuit box support.
Essential Tools for Perfect Gum Paste Toppers
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Description: Cut precise gum paste butterflies quickly and easily. |
Description: Add delicate stamen details to your gum paste butterflies and flowers. |
Description: Roll gum paste evenly for perfectly shaped decorations. |
Description: A smooth, non-stick surface for rolling and shaping gum paste. |
Description: A versatile set of modelling tools great for sculpting and adding intricate details to gum paste butterflies and other decorations. |
Cut precise gum paste butterflies quickly and easily.
Add delicate stamen details to your gum paste butterflies and flowers.
Roll gum paste evenly for perfectly shaped decorations.
A smooth, non-stick surface for rolling and shaping gum paste.
A versatile set of modelling tools great for sculpting and adding intricate details to gum paste butterflies and other decorations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gum paste is a smooth, pliable sugar dough used for cake decorating. It is perfect for creating detailed decorations like butterfly toppers because it can be rolled thin and holds delicate shapes beautifully as it dries.
Fondant stays soft and flexible, making it ideal for covering cakes. Gum paste dries quickly and hard, allowing it to hold delicate details.
Because gum paste becomes firm and brittle, it’s best suited for decorative elements like butterfly toppers rather than covering an entire cake.
Tylose powder (also known as CMC – Carboxymethyl Cellulose) is a hardening agent that can be added to fondant to turn it into gum paste. It improves elasticity and helps decorations dry firm – perfect for butterfly wings that need to keep their shape.
You can definitely use gum paste decorations on buttercream.
Yes, gum paste is technically edible. However, once dry, it becomes very hard and is not particularly pleasant to eat. For this reason, butterfly toppers are mainly decorative.
To keep gum paste from sticking to your hands, simply rub a small amount of vegetable shortening on them whenever needed. If the gum paste starts to get too sticky, just add a bit of icing sugar to adjust the texture.
Allow the butterflies to dry completely, then store them in a cardboard box at room temperature. Avoid airtight plastic containers, as trapped moisture can soften and damage the decorations.
Save This Gum Paste Butterflies Tutorial
Save this tutorial for later and learn how to make beautiful 3D gum paste butterflies for cakes and cupcakes. A simple step-by-step technique that adds an elegant finishing touch to garden parties, children’s birthdays, and spring celebrations.
I would love to hear from you
I would love to hear how your gum paste butterflies turned out.