How to Decorate a Cake With Rice Paper

Rice paper is a thin, paper-like material. It's made from the core of the rice plant. Because it can be drawn on, and it's safe for human consumption, rice paper is perfect for cake decoration. You can use rice paper and powdered sugar on a dark cake. Or, you can use it to add a drawing or artwork to the top of your cake.

Things You'll Need

• Cake
• Rice paper
• Non-toxic crayon
• Powdered sugar
• Utility knife
• Cake-decorating frosting in tubes
• Small, star-shaped frosting tube tip

Instructions

Decorate a Cake With Rice Paper and Powdered Sugar

1. Cut a sheet of the rice paper so it fits the top of the cake--whether it be round, square or rectangular. Then, place the rice paper on a thick, clean piece of cardboard. Use a non-toxic crayon to draw shapes and designs such as flowers, stars, hearts, numbers and words.

2. Cut out the shapes and designs with a sharp utility knife. Remove the cut-out pieces and discard them.

3. Hold the sheet of rice paper over the top of the dark cake. Position it so it will be exactly where you want it to be before you lower it onto the cake.

4. Use a small spoon to carefully sprinkle powdered sugar over the openings in the rice paper. Keep the sugar contained to the openings. A light covering of powdered sugar will work fine. Use a finger to gently push the sugar down so it sticks on the cake.

5. Lift the rice paper up by its edges. Remove it from the top of the dark-colored cake. Discard the rice paper and enjoy your cake!

Decorate a Cake With Rice Paper and Icing

1. Cut a sheet of the rice paper so it fits the top of the cake. Put the rice paper on a clean, flat surface. Use a non-toxic crayon to carefully draw shapes and designs such as flowers, stars, hearts, numbers and words. You can also draw or outline a picture on the rice paper.

2. Cut out the artwork from the paper with a sharp utility knife. Position the piece(s) on a frosted cake. You can make your own frosting and apply it with a pastry bag. It's quicker and easier to use ready-made cake decorating frosting in tubes. Outline the picture/artwork with a thick line of frosting.

3. Fill in the details of the picture/artwork with thinner lines of different-colored frosting. For a different method, screw a small star tip onto a frosting tube and fill in the shapes in with small stars of icing.

Tips & Warnings

• Find edible rice paper at your local cake decorating store. When used with frosting, rice paper will dissolve. Powdered sugar shows up best on chocolate and other dark-colored cakes. Using rice paper and sugar allows you to decorate a cake without using sugary frosting; a plus for diabetics and anyone who watches their sugar intake.

• Since rice paper is so thin, you must handle it with care. To use rice paper and powdered sugar to decorate the top of a cake, don't frost the cake. Utility knife blades are sharp! Be careful when you use them.