To make lavender icing, you'll incorporate lavender flavor through an infusion and can adjust the color using food coloring. This combines the aromatic notes of lavender with a visually appealing hue. While the reference doesn't specifically mention food coloring, it explains the foundational steps for making the icing. Here's how you can combine these steps:
Steps to Create Lavender Icing
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Whip the Butter:
- Begin by placing 1/2 cup of unsalted butter into a bowl.
- Whip the butter until it's light and fluffy. This is crucial for a smooth, creamy frosting.
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Add Confectioners' Sugar:
- Gradually add 2 cups of confectioners' sugar to the whipped butter.
- Mix on low speed initially to prevent the sugar from flying out, then increase the speed.
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Infuse with Lavender:
- Prepare a lavender infusion separately by steeping culinary lavender buds in hot milk or cream. This will extract the flavour. The reference simply mentions "infusion of lavender" without providing specific instructions on how to make the infusion, but this is a common method.
- Slowly add the infused milk to the butter and sugar mixture. Add enough liquid to achieve a good consistency.
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Add Food Coloring (Optional):
- If you desire a specific shade of lavender, now is the time to incorporate food coloring.
- Start with a tiny amount of violet or pink food coloring.
- Mix until the color is evenly distributed. Add more food coloring a little bit at a time until you achieve your desired shade.
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Mix Until Smooth:
- Continue mixing all ingredients until the icing is smooth and creamy and has reached the desired consistency.
Tips for Success
- Butter Temperature: Ensure your butter is at room temperature for easier whipping.
- Infusion Strength: Adjust the amount of lavender used in your infusion for a subtle or strong flavour. It's best to start with a little and then add more until desired.
- Food Coloring: Use gel food coloring for vibrant colours, avoiding watery liquid coloring.
- Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add a tiny bit more of the lavender milk; if too thin, add a little bit more confectioner's sugar.
- Taste: Before adding food coloring, taste your icing, to ensure the lavender flavour is to your liking.
- Experiment: Depending on the type of frosting, you may need to add additional ingredients such as flavouring.
Example:
For a deeper lavender color, mix a tiny dot of red and blue food coloring. For lighter colours use small amounts, for darker colours gradually increase.
