Violet Dipping Icing Recipes

CHIFFON CAKES WITH VIOLET DIPPING ICING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line bottoms of 6 cups of a large (1-cup) muffin tin with parchment; set aside. Whisk flour, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, the baking powder, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
• Whisk 1/3 cup water, the egg yolks, oil, lemon zest, and vanilla in another bowl. Whisk into flour mixture until combined.
• Put egg whites and cream of tartar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add in remaining 2 tablespoons sugar; beat until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Fold one-third of egg-white mixture into batter, then fold in remaining egg-white mixture. Divide evenly among prepared cups.
• Bake until golden and puffed, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely in tin on a wire rack. Run a knife around edges of cakes to loosen. Unmold; remove parchment. Dip bottom of each cake into icing, and transfer, icing sides up, to a wire rack set over parchment; let set 30 minutes. Serve garnished with candied violets.

BASIC GLAZE ICING

Steps:

• Put the sugar in an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. With the mixer on the lowest speed, slowly add the water, the corn syrup and vanilla extract. When the sugar is sufficiently moistened (it won't fly out of the mixer), raise the speed to high, and beat for 2 minutes until completely smooth and glossy.
• Divide and color, as desired. Store at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the icing, to prevent forming a skin.
• For cupcakes: Dip the surface of the cupcakes into the icing, allowing excess to drip into bowl. Clean any excess from the sides. Alternately, use a knife or a spreader to apply. Whisk as needed to keep icing glossy and smooth while using.
• For Light Blue Icing: Combine 2 to 3 drops of blue food coloring to 1 cup of Basic Glaze Icing.
• For Deep Yellow Icing: Combine 4 to 5 drops of yellow food coloring to 1 cup of Basic Glaze Icing.
• For Purple Icing: Combine 4 drops of red and 5 drops of blue food coloring to 1 cup of Basic Glaze Icing.

BEST WHITE ICING EVER

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine sugar, shortening, water and vanilla. Beat on low speed to combine, then beat on medium speed for a full five minutes. It won't look like Icing at first, but keep the mixer going for a full five minutes, and then you're done!
• Note: If you're not using this for decorating, but just for icing the cake, thin the icing by adding 3 tbs. of corn syrup, or water to the icing.