Make your cakes extra special with these beautiful DIY butterfly cake toppers!
With just a square sheet of paper, a toothpick, and a hot glue gun, you can create elegant decorations perfect for Easter, Christmas, spring celebrations, birthdays, weddings, and more!
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Adding a handmade touch to your baked treats is always a great idea, and these DIY butterfly cake toppers are a simple yet stunning way to add a special touch your cakes, cupcakes, and desserts!
Whether you're celebrating Easter, Mother’s Day, spring parties, baby showers, birthdays, or even a wedding, these delicate butterflies will bring charm and elegance to your sweet creations.
All you need to make these cake toppers is one square sheet of paper, a toothpick, and a hot glue gun.
These butterflies are folded like origami, giving them a graceful, three-dimensional shape that looks beautiful from every angle.
You can choose pastel colors for a soft springtime feel, metallic paper for an elegant touch, or even bright colors for a fun and playful look.
These DIY cake toppers aren’t just for cakes either!
You can use them to decorate dessert platters, plant pots, party centerpieces, or even as tiny table decorations. You might like to even add them to party favor gifts like cupcakes.
They’re quick to make, completely customizable, and a great way to add a DIY flair to your celebrations.
Oh, and if you're going for a butterfly themed occasion, you might like to make these traditional origami butterflies or DIY butterfly gift tags too.
Why You'll Love This Pattern
- Quick & Easy – Takes just a few minutes to make, even for beginners.
- Customizable – Choose any color or pattern to match your party theme.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for Easter, spring parties, birthdays, weddings, Christmas, baby showers, and more.
- Budget-Friendly – Made with simple materials that you likely already have.
- Multi-Purpose – Use as cake toppers, cupcake decorations, or table décor.
Skill Level
★☆☆☆☆ (Very Easy)
Materials Needed
- 1 square sheet of paper (recommended size: 3 inches x 3 inches (7cm x 7cm)
- Toothpick
- Hot glue gun
Note: A butterfly made with 3 inch (7cm) square paper makes a butterfly cake topper that is about 4 inches (10 cm) long including the toothpick length and 2 inch (5.5 cm) wide.
If you want longer cake toppers, instead of using toothpicks, you could use bamboo skewers and cut them to size.
Instructions
Making the Butterfly
Step 1: Start with the color you want your butterfly to be facing down.
Step 2: Fold the top right corner down to meet the bottom left corner.
Step 3: Unfold previous step.
Step 4: Fold the top left corner to meet the bottom right corner.
Step 5: Unfold previous step.
Step 6: Flip your paper over.
Step 7: Fold the top edge down to meet the bottom edge.
Step 8: Unfold previous step.
Step 9: Flip your paper over from top to bottom.
Step 10: Push the centre of the paper in (where all the creases meet). Then, hold both sides of the paper. Then, gently push in the sides of the paper. The paper should naturally fold in on itself and flatten into a triangle.
Step 11: Fold the bottom right point (top layer only) to meet the top point.
Step 12: Fold the bottom left point (top layer only) to meet the top point.
Step 13: Flip your paper over from top to bottom. Make sure it sits as shown in the picture.
Step 14: Fold the bottom point (top layer only) up so that it sits above the top edge. Crease only along the middle of the paper.
Step 15: Fold the top point behind.
Step 16: Flip your paper over from left to right.
Step 17: Fold your paper in half from left to right.
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Step 18: Slightly open out your butterfly.
Step 19: Pinch the tips of the butterfly with your fingers.
Step 20: Completed paper butterfly.
Making the cake toppers
Step 1: Heat up your hot glue gun. Arrange your butterfly to sit as shown (you want the bottom facing up).
Step 2: Place some glue to the underside of the butterfly
Step 3: Insert a toothpick into the glue. Hold in place while the glue sets.
Step 4: Completed butterfly cake topper.
Tips For Success
- Use lightweight paper – Origami paper or lightweight cardstock works best for neat, crisp folds.
- Be careful with the hot glue – A small dab is enough to secure the butterfly to the toothpick.
- Let the glue dry completely – Give it a few seconds before handling the topper.
- Make different sizes – Create a mix of large and small butterflies for a dynamic cake design.
Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them
- Using too thick paper – Avoid heavy cardstock, as it won’t fold neatly.
- Applying too much glue – A little glue is enough; too much can make a mess.
- Not securing the butterfly properly – Make sure the butterfly is firmly glued to the toothpick so it stays in place.
Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations
- Spring & Easter: Use pastel colors like soft pink, lavender, and yellow for a fresh spring look.
- Christmas & Winter: Choose metallic gold, silver, or icy blue for a festive touch.
- Romantic Occasions: Use red, pink, or lace-patterned paper for Valentine’s Day, weddings, or anniversaries.
- Whimsical & Fun: Try rainbow colors, glitter paper, or patterned origami paper for a playful effect.
- Nature-Inspired: Use green and earthy tones for a woodland or garden-themed party
FAQ
Yes, but origami paper or lightweight cardstock will give neater folds and hold its shape better.
Make sure to glue the toothpick securely to the center of the butterfly. You can also use longer toothpicks for better stability.
Yes! Just adjust the size of the square paper and use an appropriate toothpick length.
A strong craft glue can work, but a hot glue gun dries quickly and provides the best hold.
Yes! If they are kept clean, they can be reused for future events.
Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:
Helpful Origami Tips
If you're curious to learn more about origami, you might like to look at our basic guides on how to make some common origami folds.
Start with the valley fold and mountain fold—these are the foundation of most origami models.
Once you're comfortable, you might like to try the petal fold for 3D shapes, and explore the bird base and square base for more complex designs.
The water bomb base is also great for creating inflatable or geometric models, like this inflatable origami rabbit.
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