Icing-tastrophy or How to Save Separated Icing
I may not have admitted to the world yet that I do, indeed, love Swiss Meringue Buttercream Icing... just like everyone said that I would.
I love it because of how many different flavors you can make it. So far, I've done vanilla, chocolate, caramel, pineapple, coconut, and my favorite, strawberry.
However, re-using the icing can be a challenge. Once you refrigerate it, to reconstitute it, you have to whip it again. BUT you have to make sure it's at the right temperature to bring it back to life. If you don't... you get this:
Soupy, separated, mess.
When this happened to me last week, I was so mad at myself. I knew the icing was too cold to re-mix. But I just wanted to finish before I got the boys from school, so I mixed it... and it was a watery, disgusting mess.
So I thought about it, did some research (thank you, Google), and thought about it some more. (And maybe said a little prayer or two that I didn't have to waste all of that icing.)
I waited, patiently, for the icing to really get to room temperature. Not almost room temperature. Not just not really cold. Not kinda almost warm-ish. No. REALLY ROOM TEMPERATURE.
Then I mixed. I started on low speed because the liquid sloshed and sloshed out. (I eventually covered the mixer with a towel because it was that bad.) And yes, I should have photographed the process, but I was sure it wouldn't work.
Finally... I got this:
It worked
So, here's the takeaway... have faith. Be patient.
To resurrect separated Swiss Meringue Buttercream icing:
- Make sure it is at room temperature. Not too hot, or it gets soupy. Not cold or it first looks curdled and then completely separates like you saw above.
- Mix, mix, mix and mix some more. (I probably ran the mixer for 5 or more minutes when I got the icing back to the right consistency.)
- Try to keep the icing at room temperature to begin with. (If you're going to use it in the next 24 hours, don't bother refrigerating it. Now, I will admit that this will be a rule that's hard for me to follow. I think I must refrigerate the icing.)
Update: April 2013
- Another option, when the icing separates or curdles... once the icing is at room temperature, take about 1/4-1/3 cup of icing out of the bowl.
- In a heatproof measuring cup, microwave the removed icing for 20-30 seconds (on high) - until it is liquid and warm to the touch.
- With the mixer running, drizzle the warm, melted icing over the remaining icing, and mix on medium-high until the consistency returns to a normal, creamy icing. (It can take 2-5 minutes for this to happen.)
But it can happen. If I brought that soupy mess back to this soft, smooth icing... you can, too!
If you shop at Amazon.com through my link
, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!
However, re-using the icing can be a challenge. Once you refrigerate it, to reconstitute it, you have to whip it again. BUT you have to make sure it's at the right temperature to bring it back to life. If you don't... you get this:
When this happened to me last week, I was so mad at myself. I knew the icing was too cold to re-mix. But I just wanted to finish before I got the boys from school, so I mixed it... and it was a watery, disgusting mess.
So I thought about it, did some research (thank you, Google), and thought about it some more. (And maybe said a little prayer or two that I didn't have to waste all of that icing.)
I waited, patiently, for the icing to really get to room temperature. Not almost room temperature. Not just not really cold. Not kinda almost warm-ish. No. REALLY ROOM TEMPERATURE.
Then I mixed. I started on low speed because the liquid sloshed and sloshed out. (I eventually covered the mixer with a towel because it was that bad.) And yes, I should have photographed the process, but I was sure it wouldn't work.
Finally... I got this:
So, here's the takeaway... have faith. Be patient.
To resurrect separated Swiss Meringue Buttercream icing:
- Make sure it is at room temperature. Not too hot, or it gets soupy. Not cold or it first looks curdled and then completely separates like you saw above.
- Mix, mix, mix and mix some more. (I probably ran the mixer for 5 or more minutes when I got the icing back to the right consistency.)
- Try to keep the icing at room temperature to begin with. (If you're going to use it in the next 24 hours, don't bother refrigerating it. Now, I will admit that this will be a rule that's hard for me to follow. I think I must refrigerate the icing.)
Update: April 2013
- Another option, when the icing separates or curdles... once the icing is at room temperature, take about 1/4-1/3 cup of icing out of the bowl.
- In a heatproof measuring cup, microwave the removed icing for 20-30 seconds (on high) - until it is liquid and warm to the touch.
- With the mixer running, drizzle the warm, melted icing over the remaining icing, and mix on medium-high until the consistency returns to a normal, creamy icing. (It can take 2-5 minutes for this to happen.)
If you shop at Amazon.com through my link
, you support this blog and its contents. Thank you!
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