I don’t know if you knew this about me, but I used to live in Florida, and pool weddings were a thing.
Really… 100% humidity and 100F temperatures… And wedding cakes!
Wafer paper is an amazing edible medium that can withstand extreme heat and humidity if you do this right.
I developed a process that can work with fondant or buttercream cakes and will allow you to put wafer paper flowers on any cakes in any environment.
Whether you’re working with American, Swiss or Italian Buttercream, I have a solution for you!
Want to know my secret?
And if you want to learn more about making life-like wafer paper flowers, I have an online school! Click HERE to learn more and start learning today!
tools and materials
Cocoa butter
Candle warmer
Small glass bowls
Coffee Stirrer Straw
White floral tape
Shop my Equipment List on Amazon
Have you ever struggled with wafer paper flowers and decorations melting because of the high humidity environment?
Unfortunately, uncontrolled humidity can cause wafer paper flowers to soften. Generally, everything below 50% should not cause any wilting, however, I encourage you to try and test for yourself.
But here is what you can do:
- Know your humidity! I use this Humidity Gauge and it’s been a gamechanger. I can place it in my fridge or keep it in my studio to know when my humidity is too high (above 65%).
- Make wafer paper flowers in advance (at least 3-5 days) and let them dry completely.
- If you are in a very humid environment and using my AC Tonic conditioner recipe — use less glycerin, because it attracts moisture from the air and can soften wafer paper.
- Also, you can be more generous with cornstarch, it will help wafer paper to stay dry (just keep in mind, that would make it brittle).
- I would not recommend leaving wafer paper flowers on a buttercream cake overnight if you are not sure about the humidity level.
- I store my flowers in a box with lots of silica gel packets (I use this food-grade brand) and assemble them at the venue. Because I like to sleep peacefully at night)
What questions or concerns do you have about wafer paper? Comment below and I would be happy to help you!
8 Comments
How far in advance can I make wafer paper flowers? I know you said you can make them 3-4 days to make sure they dry completely but can I do a few days more? 6-7?
Yes, absolutely! At least 3-4 days, but you can make your flowers months in advance!
Can I put a edible ribbon on a buttercream wedding cake? Also how long before the wedding should I put it on?
Yes, you can.
Wafer paper is very stable and it really depends on your humidity.
If it is below 60% – wafer paper should be fine
If I place wafer paper roses on my buttercream cake, can I put the cake in the fridge on Friday until Saturday noon? Will there be condensation when I take it out and will that destroy my wafer paper roses?
The humidity level in my fridge is a 45% and my kitchen humidity level is 54%.
You can take extra steps to make sure your flowers will stay beautiful:
1. Cover the back side of your roses with melted cocoa butter or chocolate
2. Place your cake in a cardboard box and let it come to the room temp in the box
3. Make sure your flowers are completely dry (all conditioner has evaporated)
4. Add extra layer of cornstarch to prevent wafer paper from melting.
Hope this helps.
Thank you, Anna.
Do you mean when I put the cake in the fridge, I should put it in a box and into the fridge in its box?
Yes. Put in a box and put the box in the fridge!