Fantasy Rice Paper Flower | Edible Flowers

Who knew that the same rice paper that makes yummy spring rolls, could be transformed into heavenly creations!

Making dreamy translucent decorations from Rice Paper, is a big trend in cake decorating right now! Search YouTube or type hashtag #ricepaperflowers or #ricepapersail on Instagram and you will see an array of rice paper flowers and sails in a variety of ethereal and abstract shapes.

Rice paper creations bring movement and an elegant dimensions to fondant, buttercream or chocolate cakes.

What Is Rice Paper?

Rice paper is used in a number of Southeast and East Asian cooking dishes, however it is most commonly known in Vietnamese cuisine, where the rice paper is called bánh tráng or bánh đa nem.

The ingredients in rice paper consists of white rice flour, tapioca flour, salt and water. The tapioca flour makes the rice paper glutinous and smooth.

It is usually sold in dried, thin, crisp, translucent round sheets, that have a textured pattern on the surface. However, when the sheet is dipped briefly in cool or warm water, it softens and the texture disappears. They can then be filled and wrapped around savoury or sweet ingredients.

Storage of Rice Paper

Rice paper has a long shelf life, so any remaining rice paper can be securely wrapped or stored in an air tight container and kept in a cool, dry location and used by the Best Before Date on the packaging.

So now you know what this interesting edible material is, let’s make a beautiful, dreamy fantasy rice paper flower!

How To Make This Fantasy Rice Paper Flower

• You will also need some scrunched up baking paper (parchment paper) for each petal, placed onto baking trays.

• I used Sugarflair gel paste colours in SkinTone, Cornish cream & AmeriColor in Deep Pink.

• I used CystalColors edible dusts in Cream & Buttercup.

Note: In the equipment photo, I have shown 24 gauge green florist wire, however it is better to use 24 gauge white florist wire. The white florist wire is less visible when attached to the rice paper petals.

Cutting The Petals

Take care when cutting out the petals, the rice paper is brittle and can break or split easily. However, if this happens, do not panic, you can still use it. When the rice paper is wet, it gets very sticky and tacky, so you can mend the split by adhering the rice paper back to itself, mending the split.

Note: My Rice Paper Disc Size is 22cm (8.75 inches)

Small Petals

• Begin by cutting the small petals. For the small petals, the rice paper discs can be cut into quarters, then each quarter in half, giving a total of 8 petals, however, only 6 petals will be used.

• Cut wavy edges for each petal.

Medium Petals

• Cut the discs into quarters. You will need 6 petals in this size.

• Cut wavy edges for each petal.

Large Petals

• For the large petals, use one disc per petal. You will need 5 petals in this size.

• Cut wavy edges for each petal.

Prepare Colours

To a separate plate, add a small amount of SkinTone colour and Cornish Cream to the side of the plate. This colour will be used to add a tinge of colour to the edges and the centre of each petal.

Soak Each Petal

Through trial and error, I found it better to use cold water rather than warm water. The warm water, made the petal go soft fairly quickly, but the cold water gave a bit more time to work with the rice paper before it went too soft and limp.

1. Pour the water into a plate or container.

2. Using a toothpick/cocktail stick, add the colour gel to the water. The amount of colour you add will determine how strong/dark you want the colour of your petals to be.

3. Add the first petal to the water. It only need to be in the water for about 30 seconds - 1 minute. The rice paper, will have softened and be dyed from the colour in the water.

4. Carefully hold either side of the petal as you life it out of the water. Place it onto the plate with the colour and gently brush the SkinTone colour on the edges and Cornish Cream to the centre.

5. Gently lift the petal again, by holding either side of the petal and drape it onto the scrunched up baking paper (parchment paper).

6. Do steps 1-5 for all of the petals.

Note: If the softened petal, folds back on itself, wet your fingers slightly and gently uncurl the edges.

Add Florist Wire To Each Petal

The rice paper petals will become tacky to the touch as they rest on the parchment paper. This is the best time to add the florist wires. Place the florist wire to the base (the point) of each petal, the wire will stick to the rice paper automatically. Turn the wire carefully, to make sure it is securely wrapped by the rice paper.

Bake The Rice Paper Petals

Bake the rice paper petals in a preheating oven of 80C (175F) for 30 minutes. When the baking time has finished, turn off the oven and leave the petals in the oven, with the over door slight ajar for a further 30 minutes to 1 hour or until the petals are completely dry.

Make The Flower Centre

While the petals are in the oven, you can make the flower centre using small double ended stamen and gumpaste. If you need some gumpaste, you can check out my Easy Gumpaste Recipe here.

1. Colour up a small ball of gumpaste with the Cornish Cream or light yellow.

2. Make a small hook in the 18 gauge wire.

3. Take the gumpaste ball and roll it into a tear drop shape.

4. Brush some water or edible glue onto the hook (here is my Super Easy Edible Glue Recipe).

5. Push the hook end of the wire into the pointed end of the tear drop.

6. Take the tweezers and pinch a simple design in the centre.

1. Take about 30 double ended stamen. Wrap the centre of the stamen with a small amount of half width florist tape.

2. Using the edible dust colours, dust the stamen cream and buttercup yellow. Also dust the gumpaste centre.

3. Fold the stamens in half, then thread the wire with the gumpaste centre, down through the centre of the stamen.

4. Secure the centre and stamens in place with half width florist tape, then full width florist.

Release The Petals

Very carefully release each petal from the baking paper. The petals are really delicate and fragile, so they can break easily, but they are oh soo pretty!

Assemble The Petals

Begin by taping the small petals first, then tape on the medium petals, tape on the large petals last:

1. Rest the petals onto a sponge or soft surface.

2. Bend the florist wire back, so you form a 90 degree angle from the petal .

3. Use half width florist tape - Secure each petal one-by-one.

4. Complete the same steps 1 - 3 for the medium and large petals.

5. As more petals are added, it will be easier to secure the tape with the flower turned upside down.

6. When all the petals have been added. Tape the entire length of the stem, to ensure that all the petal wires are secure.

7. Gently adjust your petals into place, to complete your flower.

Note: The petals may move as you tape each one, therefore be careful they do not fall onto or hit each other; because they are so delicate and fragile they could break and you don’t want to ruin your beautiful work.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you make this Rice Paper flower, please remember to tag me - #arisecakecreations - @arisecakecreations on Instagram or Facebook, so I can see your beautiful creation.