Q1 |
What
is SugarVeil® Icing? |
A |
|
SugarVeil Icing is a dry confectionery
preparation with multiple uses in the production of pastry
goods and dessert
items. One of SugarVeil’s most unique applications
is as a decorative icing. Mixing boiling water with SugarVeil
creates a new genre of decorative icing: one which combines
the whiteness and fine detail of royal icing (yet with
a pleasant, melt-on-the-tongue, not-so-sweet taste), the
stretch and flexibility of buttercream icing (without the
fat), and the piping ease of a whipped icing in one innovative
product. SugarVeil may be piped on or off the cake, and
when set, cut with scissors and draped like fabric onto/around
a cake or plated dessert. OU Kosher approved. |
Q2 |
How much does the 1lb. pouch of
SugarVeil make? |
A |
|
SugarVeil is
usually mixed 1 cup at a time,
with an entire 1
lb. pouch yielding
approximately 10-12 cups:
- Enough
icing to finely decorate more
than 100 - 6" cakes or
- Wrap
245 cakes with SugarVeil veils
(l lb. SugarVeil = 27 sq. ft.
of veils) or
- Create
136 punched polka dot cakes
(l lb. SugarVeil = 2178
one inch dots and 198 punched
strips) or
- Decorate
327 cakes with lace doilies
using the SugarVeil
Icing Dispenser or make 55
beautiful 6" bows with
tails (l lb. SugarVeil = 21
sq. ft. of SugarVeil "fabric").
|
Q3 |
What
is the shelf life of the mixed
SugarVeil® Confectionery
Icing? |
A |
|
Once mixed, SugarVeil may be stored covered
in the refrigerator for at least 3 weeks. |
Q4 |
Can I use my piping bag with the
SugarVeil? |
A |
|
A standard piping bag may be used with
a very fine tip, as well as a parchment cone, stencil,
or SugarVeil Confectionery Comb. |
Q5 |
How
long does it take the SugarVeil
pieces to "set"? |
A |
|
Making SugarVeil 1 – 2 days in advance
speeds setting time. Setting time is also dependent upon
relative humidity, and may be anywhere from 15 minutes
in a humidity controlled (air conditioned or heated) environment,
to overnight. |
Q6 |
Can ordinary tap water be used
for mixing SugarVeil? |
A |
Yes, tap water may be used. Do not use
chemically treated (softened), water. If in doubt, use
distilled or bottled water without added minerals. |
Q7 |
What type of mixing bowls/utensils
should be used when preparing SugarVeil? |
A |
|
As plastic utensils often contain residual
fat, mix SugarVeil in a small metal or glass bowl, using
an electric mixer. |
Q8 |
Is it important to measure/mix
SugarVeil precisely? |
A |
|
Yes, it is important to measure/mix SugarVeil
precisely according to the directions. Any alteration can
change the consistency. |
Q9 |
How will SugarVeil look when mixed? |
A |
|
The icing will be smooth and glossy. Stir
with a fork for a minute or so every couple of hours to
retain this consistency. |
Q10 |
Are there any design considerations
to keep in mind for SugarVeil decorations? |
A |
|
For the most part, SugarVeil icing needs
to be supported either by the cake surface, a SugarVeil
ornament or tuile (see recipes), or another confectionery
structure. Any SugarVeil area that is suspended or draped
off the cake should contain a lighter density of patterning,
as gravity effects may weight the bottom edge of any unsupported
area. |
Q11 |
Can color and flavor be added to
SugarVeil Confectionery Icing? |
A |
|
Dry powder, liquid or paste colors and
flavors may be added to the SugarVeil mixture. |
Q12 |
How
will I know when SugarVeil is "set",
and ready to remove from the
surface? |
A |
|
When set, SugarVeil will feel firm to the
touch and separate easily from the well-seasoned parchment/cellophane
surface when the paper is pulled downwards over a sharp
table edge. |
Q13 |
How can I make SugarVeil decorations
in advance? |
A |
|
To suspend flexibility for a period of
time, SugarVeil decorations may be stored in Tupperware® or
a tented plastic zippered bag prior to setting completely. |
Q14 |
How can I speed the setting time
of SugarVeil pieces? |
A |
|
An oven (pilot light or electric light
on only), or a food dehydrator will speed set SugarVeil
decorations. |
Q15 |
Can I use spray oil or release
spray to season the surface? |
A |
|
It is better to use a Crisco-type hydrogenated
vegetable shortening in greasing the surface or in seasoning
a Silpat mat. Use a clean sheet of parchment (or cellophane)
each time SugarVeil is applied. |
Q16 |
Where can I find patterns to use
with the SugarVeil Confectionery Icing? |
A |
|
Besides the downloadable patterns on our
Web site, your local library or bookstore is a good resource
for finding
line
designs
for
a variety
of
pattern
options, such as tatting designs, paper snowflakes, and
iron works. |
Q17 |
Can I use SugarVeil in other recipes? |
A |
|
SugarVeil® Icing is a
versatile dry powder mix for a variety of confectionery
uses. With the simple addition of an ingredient or two,
you can create a frozen mousse, a rich buttercream, tuile
cookies, and other dessert enhancements. Creative ideas
and recipes are available at www.sugarveil.com. |
Q18 |
How can I create the finest of
details to cakes and desserts? |
A |
|
For the finest details use the SugarVeil® Icing
Dispenser, an electric, hand-held air-powered
tool for swiftly applying fine dots and lines. Fill
the cartridge with icings, piping gels or sauces, chocolate
ganache, or other dessert preparations. Placing the
forefinger over the air hole activates the flow.
Lifting the finger instantly stops the flow, without
drips or hand fatigue. Easy to operate and to clean,
the SugarVeil Icing Dispenser allows finer detail than
either a piping bag or parchment cone. |
Q19 |
What are other methods of application
for creating SugarVeil decorations? |
A |
|
Comb thru SugarVeil with a notched scraper,
decorating comb, or the specially designed SugarVeil® Confectionery
Comb to make instantly patterned lines and designs. |
Q20 |
How do you color SugarVeil? |
A |
|
Any type of color is fine: If using powdered
color, add to dry SugarVeil. If using paste or liquid,
add after SugarVeil is mixed. Paste color will also lengthen
the period of flexibility. |
Q21 |
How
do you apply the gold? Do you
use it as a powder or mixed
with alcohol as "paint"? |
A |
|
You can apply the gold as a powder when
the SugarVeil is still tacky (not yet set). You can also
airbrush the gold "paint" onto SugarVeil. Some
customers allow the SugarVeil to set, brush a layer of
hydrogenated fat (Crisco) atop the pieces, and then brush
the powder on top of that. |
Q22 |
How
long does SugarVeil stay viable
after it "dries"? |
A |
|
Indefinitely. SugarVeil won't mold when
dried. Also, if it has only been dry for a limited time,
you may return it to a flexible state by microwaving it
for 15 - 30 seconds (be sure to transport it on a solid
surface to the microwave, as it is very fragile when dry).
The microwave warms the SugarVeil piece and allows you
to quickly bend and shape it as you would like. This procedure
has another advantage as well - it will "freeze" SugarVeil
into position, and it will remain exactly formed as you
have shaped it. |
Q23 |
How
do you make the dimensional monograms
as in the "Tribute to Vera" cake?
Also, can you use real gold leaf
for SugarVeil monograms? |
A |
|
Yes, for monograms, apply SugarVeil off
the cake thru a monogram stencil. Allow to set slightly,
then add SugarVeil to monogram base by immersing Icing
Dispenser tip into area and building dimensional height
into monogram. Dry monogram completely in oven (light on
only).
To apply 23K gold leaf, lightly moisten surface
of monogram with a paint brush. Apply gold leaf to the
tacky surface with a soft, dry brush, and allow to dry.
Brush away excess leaf. If desired, steam monogram to
return to flexible state. |