FoodNet

Foods, their selection and preparation

1935

Page 281 · 1 recipe record on this page

Presented as published in 1935. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
suits depends upon the number of egg whites to each cup of sugar used in the preparation of the sirup. The sirup is cooked, as in the case of divinity, to a somewhat higher tem¬ perature than would be used for a fondant or fudge type of icing (not over 238° F.), if only one egg white is used to each cup of sugar. If more egg whites are used, the temperature should be increased. A small amount of cream of tartar may be used, just as in fondant, to invert a portion of the sugar. This sirup should cream in the egg white, causing it to harden to the right consistency. If too much of the sugar is inverted, the icing becomes sticky and does not harden properly. From 1 to 4 egg whites to 1 cup sugar can be used. The icing made with 1 egg whiteDouble-Boiler Icing to each cup of sugar hardens quickly and must be handled with care to prevent its hardening before it is spread evenly over the cake. Where the proportion of egg is larger, it may be necessary to put the mixture in a double boiler and cook it over hot water to thicken. These icings should harden over the outside, but remain soft underneath. Small amounts of glycerin, 1 teaspoon to each egg white, sometimes are added to help keep the mixture soft. The icings with a large proportion of egg are used for the decoration of cakes. These icings are cooked over hot water until a spoonful dropped on a smooth surface will hold its shape. The mixture then is forced through pastry tubes onto the cake, which already has been covered with a thick layer of icing of the same sort. Pastry bags of plastic, oiled silk, or close canvas with metal tubes, or cornucopias of glazed paper with appropriately cut ends, may be used. Gum arabic and gelatins may be used in connection with sirups to give special tex¬ ture to icings, just as to candies. These alone are usually too rubbery to be desirable, but are used most frequently in connection with egg white and sirup. Marshmallows cut into the hot icing serve the same purpose. Double-Boiler Icing. A satisfactory icing can be prepared quickly and easily in a double boiler, by using 1 cup sugar and \ cup water to each egg white. This mixture is placed over boiling water and beaten con¬ stantly with a rotary beater until it thickens and tends to hold its shape, which usually takes about seven minutes. It is then fla¬ vored and quickly spread on the cake. Cake Filling. A filling is a sweet-flavored mixture to be spread between the layers of a [306] cake to increase the food value and paya¬ bility. In some cases a filling is used over the top instead of an icing. A filling is most satisfactory on a cake that is not to stand very long before being eaten, as some fillings are sufficiently moist to soak into the cake and make it soggy. For cakes which are to be kept a longer time, an icing makes the most desirable filling. The most common fillings are made on the basis of well-flavored, thick custards, and cream-pie fillings. (See page 322.) Whipped cream and whipped cream and egg white also are used. Dried fruits, dates, raisins, and figs cooked in a thick sirup make fillings that do not soak into the cake. They are used on cakes that are to be iced over the sides and top.