I made a regular batch of buttercream icing the same way I alway do it, but for some reason when I thinned it down I noticed white streaks in my icing. I am kind of new to cake decorating and wanted to know if anyone can tell me what is causing this

I've had this happen before too. I was wondering if it was old shortening. Did you use shortening or butter?

Debbie

I have had this happen before...what type of recipe were you using? Did you sift your powdered sugar??

I used both butter and crisco in the recipe. I also sifted the sugar. I was wondering if it was because I used water instead of milk when I thinned the icing down.

I used all shortening. I can't imagine that it would be having used water instead of milk. Some people use all water. I've used both water and milk.

Debbie

Maybe try mixing it a bit with your mixer to incorporate all the color and work the streaking out .. not sure if that'd work or not but it'd be worth a try.

I have had this happen and I'm not sure what causes it either. I've wondered if my salt is completely dissolved in my liquid before I mix it in. I've also wondered if it is humidity. This may be a mystery that might never be solved.


Amy

I think this topic has gone around before and we never quite figured out what the culprit was.

Debbie

I don't think it's the water, given what you are using and doing it may very well be the salt. I've had some problems when tinting my icing and I think it's been from the salt or not sifting the powered sugar.

About a month ago i had to make buttercream for my classes and had this happen to me.
I think is was the humidity that caused it


AShiana

That's what I thought. It's only happened a time or two so I've adjusted the salt in my recipe and haven't had it happen again. I just make sure it is completely dissolved before I add to the Crisco.


Amy

Yes, some people use popcorn salt because it dissolves easier but if they have hard water or water with a lot of minerals in it, it will also cause streaking and sometimes the combination of both, makes it even worse. That is one of the reasons I use salted butter, so I don't have to worry about adding salt. One of those weird issues that comes up for some folks at some times. Funny thing, I never had any of these issues and then one day, instead of buying my Crisco in the tub like I usually do, I bought the 1 pound box. I ended up with the little white lumps which was the shortening not mixing in, in this case. I had found that for some reason, this box of Crisco was really dry, the shortening wasn't as creamy as usual so likely this is why it wouldn't mix in right. Anyway, haha, I finally knew the frustration, haha!
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes

I believe it is the issue of water and the salt. I have made
TONS of frosting and had never had this problem. I recently moved to an area where we have well water. I never thought about it but all of a sudden... spots! The only thing different was the water. So it has to be.

Rose

I think it may be my water. I made new batch o icing and thinned it down using milk instead of the water and I did not get the white streaking in the icing.

Hmmmmm. I use the filtered water from my refrigerator. Maybe it's time to change it you think.


Amy

Well, one lady actually has to buy distilled water by the case load, apparently her water is too hard and causes these issues and also colouring issues.
Funny thing, salt was used to set colours but I guess in combination with other things in water, it causes other issues.
Hugs Squirrelly