Gritty Buttercream?

Decorating By Amy729 Updated 15 Jun 2007 , 9:02pm by aminaz

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Amy729 Posted 14 Jun 2007 , 3:26am
post #1 of 12

I tried my usual recipe tonight for buttercream with one change. I used hi-ratio shortening with my butter instead of crisco. Could this be why my DH said it was "gritty"? I did not do anything else different.
Thanks!
Amy

11 replies
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Amy729 Posted 14 Jun 2007 , 3:53am
post #2 of 12

Please, I know all you smart and expierenced cake decorators have some words of wisdom.

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alimonkey Posted 14 Jun 2007 , 4:08am
post #3 of 12

Not sure why hi-ratio would make it gritty - in my experience it produces a creamier frosting. Hopefully somebody else can help you out.

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Amy729 Posted 14 Jun 2007 , 4:09am
post #4 of 12

Is there any other ingredient that can make buttercream gritty?

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Amy729 Posted 14 Jun 2007 , 3:00pm
post #5 of 12

please. anyone???

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alimonkey Posted 14 Jun 2007 , 3:19pm
post #6 of 12

OK - since nobody else is chiming in here, try this:

Instead of adding your liquid to the icing after the sugar has been blended in, rather than before.

When I searched back in my memory banks, it seems like I *might* possibly recall a similar issue, but the fluffiness and non-greasy mouthfeel preempts it I suppose. The way HR shortening works is by the liquid attaching itself to the fat molecules. So if you add your powdered sugar first, you may be able to help it. Dunno. Sorry. I didn't have a ready supply of HR at the time, and my decorating fell off considerably, so I stopped using the stuff.

Anyone else? Please...

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Amy729 Posted 14 Jun 2007 , 4:18pm
post #7 of 12

I hate to sound stupid but... are you saying to add the powdered sugar to the shortening/butter and then add the liquid?
Thanks for helping!
Amy

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alimonkey Posted 14 Jun 2007 , 9:11pm
post #8 of 12

Yeah - messed up that sentence, didn't I?

First mix together the shortening and sugar, then add liquid to thin.

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cakeladydi Posted 15 Jun 2007 , 12:26am
post #9 of 12

Not sure if this is you problem but I used a store brand confectioners sugar one time (that's all it took) and my buttercream was grainy. I only use Dominos.

Hope this helps.

Diane

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chocolateandpeanutbutter Posted 15 Jun 2007 , 1:01am
post #10 of 12

That was my next question, also, if you used a different icing sugar. I've found a definite difference in the "graininess" of some sugars. Here, I buy only Lantic, as I've found Redpath to be grainier. Just my opinion.

I've made several icings using hi-ratio, and I've really liked the finished product - much less greasy feel.

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formerbuckeye Posted 15 Jun 2007 , 5:17pm
post #11 of 12

The only time my buttercream came out feeling gritty was when I used a 6X confectioner's sugar instead of a 10X. If you want to use 6X, I would sift it first. I hope this helps.

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aminaz Posted 15 Jun 2007 , 9:02pm
post #12 of 12

i've heard that if buttercream is abit gritty then you would need to seive your sugar a few times to get rid if any lumps.

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