To make baby blue icing, you typically start with white icing and gradually add blue food colouring until you achieve the desired pastel shade. A key technique when adding colour is how you mix it in to maintain the icing's texture.
Achieving the Baby Blue Shade
Start with your prepared white icing. You will need blue food colouring. Different types of food colouring exist, including gel and oil-based. The reference mentions using oil-based food colouring like Colour Mill.
- Add a very small amount of blue food colouring to your white icing.
- Mix thoroughly to distribute the colour evenly.
- Assess the colour. If it's not light enough, add another tiny amount of blue colouring and mix again.
- Repeat this process until you reach your desired baby blue hue. Remember, it's easier to add more colour than to take it away.
The Mixing Technique
The reference highlights an important method for mixing colour, especially when using types like oil-based food colouring:
- Avoid Overmixing: When adding colour, the reference advises, "When you do this and you're adding color you don't want to over mix and add lots of air to it."
- Gentle Incorporation: Instead of whipping the icing, the recommended technique is to "push my icing against the side of the bowl. Instead of whipping."
- Why This Method? This gentle method helps to mix the colour without incorporating excess air into the icing, which can affect its texture and appearance.
By using this gentle technique and gradually adding blue food colouring, you can achieve a beautiful, smooth baby blue icing for your baking projects.
