How do you make hard icing decorations? (uk)

Question

I want to make some butterflies out of icing. I want to cut out the shapes with a cutter, then shape them a little, allow them to dry hard and then maybe ice some royal icing on top.

What is the best way to do this and what icing shall I use so that they dry hard?

P.S. I don't know what gum paste is, I fear its an Americanism, so if you're going to suggest it, please explain what it is and how I can find it in the uk!

Answer 1

I thought you meant 'Hard' decorations, skinheads with flick knives etc lol

Answer 2

use marzipan and cake colouring you can use royal icing to compliment the shapes made from marzipan

Answer 3

buy a block of 'roll on' icing from your supermarket. kind of looks like a block of marzipan. this is easy to mould. icing sugar powders tend to make a thin runny paste

Answer 4

http://www.baking911.com/decorating/cake...

http://www.cakebaker.co.uk/WorkingWithYo...