How To Make Gray Icing Recipes

HOW TO MAKE GRAY ICING

Steps:

• Empty Icing into a Bowl - Using a spatula, empty white icing into a large bowl.
• Add Food Coloring - Add one part of blue food coloring and one part black food coloring. Based off of two cups of icing, this would be approximately three drops of blue food coloring and three drops of black food coloring.
• When using complementary colors or primary colors, also use equal parts of each color. Start off following the rule of three drops of each color for two cups of icing and adjust as needed.
• Mix Icing - Mix the icing and food coloring together. Make sure that it is thoroughly mixed to avoid any streaks. It may take a couple of minutes to fully mix the colors and the icing together.
• Though many people may not think of gray as a color for weddings, it can look beautiful as an icing for a cake or cupcakes. It gives off an elegant look that everyone will admire.

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.

TEA CAKES WITH EARL GREY ICING

Steps:

• Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 24-cup mini muffin pans with paper liners. Melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Whisk until smooth, then remove the bowl; keep the water simmering in the saucepan. In another bowl, whisk the sugar, flour and salt; mix into the melted chocolate. Add the eggs, one at a time, then whisk in the vanilla until smooth.
• Divide the batter among the prepared cups, filling each three-quarters of the way. Bake until the cakes spring back when touched, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the pans and cool on a rack.
• Meanwhile, make the icing: Whisk the sugar, egg whites, lemon juice and salt by hand in the bowl of a stand mixer. Empty the tea bags and add the loose tea to the bowl, then set the bowl over the saucepan of simmering water and whisk until the mixture is hot and the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Transfer the bowl to the stand mixer and beat with the whisk attachment on medium-high speed until the mixture holds stiff peaks, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large resealable plastic bag, snip the corner and pipe the icing onto the cupcakes.

GRAVY ICING (FOR CAKES)

Steps:

• Start this icing before you bake your cake. By the time the cake is done and cooled, the cooked portion of this recipe is cooled enough to do the last steps.
• Put flour in a small, heavy saucepan. Whisk the milk into the flour slowly so you have no lumps. Add salt and vanilla.
• Over a low heat, cook the mixture, stirring constantly so you don't scorch it, until it is thick and pasty (will form into a sort of soft ball). Once it gets to this stage, take it off the heat and set the pan, uncovered, into the refrigerator.
• When flour goop is completely cooled (cold), combine it in a large mixing bowl with the sugar, shortening and butter. Whip with electric mixer -- whip whip whip -- and keep whipping until on a taste test it's smooth and the sugar is not "grainy". The whipping process can (and does) take several minutes.
• Yields enough icing to ice one COMPLETELY COOLED 2-layer cake (lay it on thick!). Store frosted cake in the refrigerator.
• Note: DO NOT soften or melt the butter in the microwave. Just set it out in the morning or the night before you plan on making it.