Hi Everyone!

I just made my first batch of buttercream icing, and it is definately NOT white in color!! It's got a yellowish tent to it. Is this normal? Is there a way to make it a brighter white color?

Help!!

If you used real butter, then, yes, the end result is not snow-white. If you need a pure white icing you can add White White. However, be careful as large amounts of this will thin out the icing. If you will be coloring the icing other colors, don't worry about making it pure white first.

HTH!

What type of buttercream did you make, i.e., shortening based, butter based, etc.?

Also did you use clear extracts?

The butter based b/c's are not going to be as pure white as a shortening based b/c.

You can use Wilton White White Icing Color to dye butter/margarine b/c's white:

http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E30B53A-475A-BAC0-5FBDEF5E8A8FCFF2&fid=0EC60A47-475A-BAC0-54338024A0B6A5A5

Some butter brands are more white than others, and beating the snot out of the butter yields a more white b/c:
(Also adding a bit of blue or purple cancels out the yellow tinge.)

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-615121-.html

HTH

You can add a TINY (TINY!!!) amount of violet (purple) to neutralize the yellow. They're opposite colors, so it will turn your icing more white. Sounds crazy, I know, but it really does work.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!!

I will remember all of your tips!

gotta try that violet trick


thanks

I always add white Americolor gel, and it comes out white as snow