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.

VIOLET DIPPING ICING

Steps:

• Bring granulated sugar, milk, and butter to a boil in a medium pan over medium-high heat, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat. Let cool 10 minutes. Whisk in confectioners' sugar, salt, and violet flavoring. Tint to desired shade. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until cool and thick, about 30 minutes. Use immediately.

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.

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH VIOLET BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Make cupcakes:.
• Whisk together boiling water and cocoa. Cover and set aside. With a mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue creaming until light and fluffy. Sift together the flour, baking soda and baking powder and add this mixture, alternately with the buttermilk. Add cocoa and water mixture and mix until thoroughly combined. Scoop into cupcake pans and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Let cool completely before decorating.
• Make Ganache:.
• Chop chocolate and place in a stainless steel or glass bowl. Bring cream and sugar just to a boil in a small saucepan and then pour over chocolate. Whisk together and then stir in butter until melted.
• Make Buttercream Filling:.
• Whisk together the egg whites and sugar in a stainless steel bowl. Place bowl in a water bath set over low heat. Whisk occasionally until sugar is dissolved and mixture is very warm, about 150 degrees F. Remove from water bath and whip with a hand-held mixer on high speed until stiff peaks. Lower speed and add the butter in small pieces. Add vanilla and violet essence and mix until smooth. Add violet color, 1 drop at a time, until desired shade is reached.
• Decorate:.
• To fill, put buttercream in a pastry bag with a small round tip. Stick tip into the center of each cupcake and pipe in filling.
• Dip tops of cooled cupcakes in the warm ganache and let set. Pipe more ganache on top for decoration. Finish with candied violets or sprinkles if desired.