Glossary
Wafer paper
Thin edible paper made from starch for flowers, sails and printed images on a cake.
Wafer paper is a very thin, edible sheet made mainly from starch and water, similar in feel to a sheet of rice paper. It can be cut, folded, curled or printed on, which makes it useful for delicate cake decorations that would be too fragile or heavy in fondant or gum paste.
Because it is thin and slightly translucent, wafer paper is often layered and shaped into flower petals, sails for nautical designs, or butterfly wings, then curled or ruffled while the edges are still just barely damp, since it holds a curved shape once it dries in that position.
Look for wafer paper thickness suited to the project, since thinner sheets curl and layer more easily but tear more easily too, while thicker sheets hold shapes better but are stiffer to work with. Keep it away from humidity and moisture before use, since it absorbs water quickly and can go soft or stick together. A common mistake is storing it loose in a humid kitchen instead of sealed flat.