Meringue Powder Choices - Page 2

CK also makes a meringue powder; my local cake decorating store carries it. Bonnie, if you live near the Delaware border up on 95, you can pick it up at Canon's Supplies on Kirkwood Highway.

thanks - I've seen it locally, I think, but never bought it. Do you use it? do you know if it have any flavoring added in it?

I've never used it, but I've used other CK products and been quite satisfied with it. Right now I'm still working on buttercream, and haven't moved on to RI more than once or twice, so I've barely gotten away from the Wilton stuff that I don't add to my buttercream even though the recipe says to...

I have used CK and have not seen any difference in that and Wilton that I have noticed. The cheapest I have found is at www.fondantsource.com
about 1/2 the price of what I paid for Wilton at WMart.
Also just ordered some from Sur La and when it came in it is a different color....not sure I trust it. Kind of a dark yellow instead of white.
I'm going to go back and check the ingredients on it again.

Sunnigirl - So you don't see a difference between the CK and Wilton. Is that related to how it tastes or how it is to work with?

Eek on the dark yellow! Makes you wonder if it was old. Was that Wilton? I haven't been able to find anything but Wilton through them. Thanks for your help!

Took another look and the meriange powder I ordered came from surfas not surla. It is a brand called Chef's Paradise....
Using the CK brand,(from the other supplier) I haven't noticed any difference in taste or use.
Maybe a slight difference in how stiff it is at the very end. The Wilton seemed a little stiffer, but when I was using the Wilton I was not adding any vanilla or flavorings ( and I wasn't too happy with the taste). Since then I found out you can add flavorings but I was adding them right at the end so my royal turned out not quite a stiff I think. Now I add my flavoring at the very beginning and it doesn't seem to affect the outcome. I usually use the clear butter extract and a little vanilla. Send me a PM if you would like more info on details about where I shop.

Amifsud: Can you share what brand of lemon emulsion you are using and where you find it? Thank you!

Thanks Sunnigirl! I saw the MP on Surfas and wondered how it was. I did go to the cake store today and asked about CK vs. Wilton MP. The lady I talked to said that she has used both (she teaches Wilton classes, but buys CK MP as it is there at the store). She has seen no difference in taste or 'workability'. She said that Wilton asked her to recommend Wilton exclusively, but she refused as their fondant is horrid. She thinks that many people write of the Wilton MP based on experiences with the fondant, but again, she hasn't noticed a difference. I picked up some CK MP there and will play with it and compare it with my new can of Wilton MP. If they are the same across those two lines, I will likely stick with Wilton (until I test it against others) as it is cheaper with a 40% coupon at Michael's.

One note though - I do add 1 tsp. Madagascar pure van. extract at the end, so that may be why I don't have the 'off' taste others don't like (3/4 tsp if doing white and add Americolor Bright White). I have also added pure lemon oil or pure almond extract and it was great. Lots of compliments in general on the icing. I have had one can that smelled odd, so I took it back. Other than that, I keep it in a cool place and haven't had issues, but I never use it without flavoring.

I will try the Surfas brand at some point. Other than that, I will try Ateco once Sur La Table carries it again or I order it, but with the flavoring, I haven't had issues. It sounds like the McCall's that Antonia74 gets is ideal with the flavor built in, but I haven't researched that one.

TracyLH
Ohhhh 40% off coupon....we live 1hr away from Michaels or Hobby Lobby.
I'll have to watch their newsletters for that and try to pick some up next time I am in their area. I forget they run specials because I don't go very often. I started buying most of my stuff off the internet when gas prices went to $5 a gal. I could pay shipping and still come out ahead instead of driving to get what I need.
I have finished about 1/2 of my first 4 oz. bottle of Madagascar Bourbon vanilla. I LOVE It, I will have to try it in my royal. I just ordered a quart bottle. I had someone tell me the other day that they could tell a difference in my cookies and that I should stick with that combination.
I play with combinations of flavorings a lot. Right now my best is 1/2 Madag. bourbon and 1/2 Watkins vanilla nut.
What I wouldn't give to spend a wknd with you and some of the other Cake Central forum stars discussing cookies.......my cookies have improved 100% since I have joined CC and had help from ya'll (can you tell I'm from the south). Only thing is .....I would probably end up with laringitis (sp?)from talking so much....

Well, I just mixed up some RI and I am really rethinking things. The Madagascar vanilla has a wonderful taste, but it is causing such a color change and it really adversely affects my yellows, lime greens, whites, etc. I have been adding Americolor Bright White, but that might be adding an off taste as I need a decent amount. I dont notice it on the cookie, but on its own, I am not so thrilled. So I need a clear flavoring and am trying to keep with all-natural flavors. I used to use almond and it was a hit, but so many people dont want almond lest anyone having the cookie has an allergy. I think I need to go ahead and order some clear, natural flavorings so I can have an overall RI flavor that will work with any cookie flavor. I will check to see if they are clear, but I am pondering natural French Vanilla, Butter and the natural Clear Vanilla found here (Cook's Illustrated rated their coconut the highest, so these prducts should be good):

http://www.spicesetc.com/category/Natural-Flavorings/a

Following is a link to a posting I did regarding finding natural flavorings/extracts. Artscallion has a company she likes:

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=633920&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0

Thanks for the thumbs-up on Watkins. I will look at that as well.

Oh, sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself! (or be really embarassed!). I just opened up a new bottle of Americolor Bright White and it is definitely fresher than the one I had used this morning, which had off an odd scent I found after mixing it it (chucked that batch!). When I taste tested the two side-by-side, it explained the 'off taste' I was experiencing. Regardless, I am still going to look for a natural clear flavoring/extract so I can minimize the Bright White in general.

TracyLH,
Thanks for posting that previous thread, very interesting. And the links as well. Now that I have seen such a difference in the "good" vanilla, I definitely want to try some different natural flavorings. I love mixing and trying new combinations. So much to do...so little time