Hi Everyone!
I keep reading about how great Creme Bouqet is. I have some that I use - CK Kitchen brand, and every time I use it I think the icing or cake tastes artificial. Is it the brand? Is it just me? Does anyone else think this? Do you have a good homemade recipe for creme bouqet that you like?
Thanks!!

i don't have a good recipe...
but i love the smell of the thing i'm baking when i use creme boquet...
maybe someone has a really good recipe for you...

I bought some because everyone was raving about it. I have only smelled it and i cant pinpoint it but there is something about it I dont like.

It's the brand. The one that everyone loves is by Magic Line/Parrish's. This is what I have been using for several years and my clients LOVE it.

The CK brand is gross. I ordered a whole case online because it was a better price and had trouble giving it away because it smelled like furniture polish!

To me cream bouquet has sort of a vanilla/citrus taste. I'm kind of neutral on it at this point. It was enthusiastically recommended to me so I bought it. First try in BC I thought I liked it--something different anyway. Then I thought it wasn't that noticeable. Recently I tried it in fondant and thought it was "different" but not necessarily "better". I'm still looking for a flavoring that cuts the oh-so-sweet-ness of fondant, but I'd say cream bouquet isn't it.

What do you use it for flavoring? What would creme bouquet lovers recommend it for? I have yet to try it.

Remember that it is an emulsion, so not very much is needed. I use it in addition to vanilla in my buttercream (1/4-1/3 tsp per tsp of vanilla). I also add it to glaze (milk+pwd sugar) that I drizzle on scones, muffins and loaf cakes. I add it to pancake/crepe/waffle batter and to my egg mixture when making french toast. Really most any sweet dish where you would add vanilla, you can add creme bouquet too.

I have to agree with thecakemaven that it is the brand. I started off using Parrishes and fell in love with it. I was placing an order with CK and their's was a lot cheaper so I decided to give it a try. I had to call and complain because my icing smelled rotten when I used it. They were great and said that it was probably a bad bottle and sent me a new one and it smelled the same when I opened it so I didn't even try it and threw it away. I am back to using the Parrish version and still loving it! It is great in MMF and buttercream.

I hate creme bouquet. The smell..... the taste ..... everything about it.

I have the creme bouquet from CK and I don't think it's bad but now you have me curious about the Magicline one. Where do you purchase it?
Jacqui

I only use the Magic Line/Parrish's one. I get it from www.doitwithicing.com

Thanks, I'll check it out!
Jacqui

Do It With Icing is awesome, that is where I get my Creme Boquet and all sorts of other stuff too! thecakemaven - do you belong to the San Diego Cake Club?

I buy my creme bouqet from Lorann Gourmet, and I like it.. but now Im curious about the Parrish line too!

I use the Magic Line/Parrish's creme bouquet and I love it. Friends of mine taste my cakes and always want to know why they taste so good. I have even converted them to using creme bouquet. Like someone else posted, it is rather strong so it only takes a small amount and I use it with my vanilla.

I used creme bouquet in DD wedding cake this weekend ck brand and everyone loved it. I had never used it before but when I opened the bottle it smelled citrusy and delightful. I used it with buttervanilla in WASC cake recipe.

indigojods - I used to be a member, but I am not able to make the drive anymore until after my baby is born in October. I have panic attacks when I drive and can't take my anxiety meds while I'm pregnant. So I'm pretty much stuck at home right now

thecakemaven - that is a bummer that you can not drive, but congratulations on your pregnancy! Maybe I will see you at the meetings after you have your baby.