808 replies to this topic

[minas6907]

1. Any plans for a second edition of the At Home Chocolates & Confections book?

For some reason I'd probably assume no, that's based on the way CIA puts out their books. I don't think I've seen any of the 'at home' books updated, they seem to update just their textbooks every 4 years or so.

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[ritz55]

Hi All

Have been making marshmallows from "Chocolates and Confections" for some time now.
Marshmallows turn out to be very soft and unable to hold shape.I follow all the instructions from the book-weighing ingredients ,temperature at which it is cooked etc .
I dont know where Im going wrong,could somebody please help me????

[minas6907]

I actually just started making marshmallows from the book as well, I thought the formula was fool proof. Are you sure your thermometer is calibrated correctly? Are you at an elevation where you have to adjust the temperature? I've made them and had no problems at all. I was a bit concerned at first when the book talks about taking a measurement for the specific point of gravity, but I never did that and didnt run into any issues. How large a batch are you making? Are you whipping the mixture enough? When you say youve been making the marshmallows 'for some time now,' how long is that? Has every attempt yielded the same problem?

[Kerry Beal]

I'd wonder about the calibration of the thermometer too - and wonder about how long you are beating for?

[ritz55]

I have made it at least 8-10 times with the same result n use 2 different thermometers which are traditional liquid ones.The batch is one whole recipe and beating the mixture as the book says for 6 minutes.

[Chocolot]

Try beating longer.

[ritz55]

Ok! 3-4 mins more??

[minas6907]

I personally would get a probe thermometer. I think I know what you mean when you say they are traditionally used for liquids. A digital probe thermometer was one of the best things I invested it, much more accurate then the 'traditional ones I used before. Since your an expert at making the recipe by now with all your attempts, why not try boiling the liquid 30sec to 1min longer then you think it needs to, and see if that gets you a different texture. Basically, you just need to get more water out of your marshmallows.

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[Chocolot]

Beat until you can't beat anymore. The marshmallow will climb your beater(s) and it will be lukewarm. If in doubt, spoon a little out and see if it sets. If not and you can still beat more, do it. (Don't burn up your mixer:)

[ritz55]

I did beat it till it was climbing the beaters and was like a stretched chewing gum if I may say so(sorry for the gross description )Would weather conditions affect this??

[Chocolot]

Amazon just told me they have shipped the new book and I should have it next Tuesday. Yippee!!

[minas6907]

Bah! I'm still waiting for my shipping notice! I'm amped about this one!

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[tikidoc]

Mine should be delivered today (arrived in my local post office at 1 am). Hooray!

[Chris Hennes]

http://egullet.org/p1895558

[minas6907]

Not sure if the threads will be combined, but I'll post my thoughts here.

Just got the book today, and as Chris said, it is noticeably larger. The sections I mostly refer to are the crystalline and non-crystalline sections. I noticed it includes information that was previously only in his at home book, such as the simple procedure for making cast lollipops, where as the previous professional book primarily spoke of making lollis from pulled sugar. Something I almost started a topic about here, but the new book now covers it, is how to make those small pillow after dinner mint type candies. When I look at the instructions it was a 'duh' moment for me. I love how simple they are, and sort of 'old timey.' I saw a large bag of those mints at the store a while back and though "Why cant I just make those?" Well now I can haha.

In the non-crystalline sections, there is a new laminated candy. Its a hard sugar base that is laminated with a chocolate filling...never heard of this, but looks nice. The finished pieces are then dipped in chocolate. Not too sure if I'll try this, perhaps after I make leaf croquant, but still the idea is cool.

One thing I was saddened about was the Turkish Delight recipe. I remember in a thread a while back Kerry said there would be a formula for Turkish Delight using regular cornstarch, and there is, but I was sort of hoping it would not be the same formula from his 'at home' book. That formula I would say only makes an ok delight. In a short time the outside crystallizes, and it loses the supple texture. I might give it a second try.

Another little change I noticed was in the formula for frappe. I does not list dry albumin anymore, which is better for me. Maybe I'll make some of this stuff up and add it to the taffy, see if I really like it included, otherwise I'll continue to omit, I dont really enjoy adding the jet puff stuff.

I'll post more thoughts as I read the book further.

[minas6907]

Heres a few other things I noticed. Greweling covers crystallized centers. I saw this on a YouTube video one time, but basically he pipes a ganache and submerges them in a super saturated sugar solution, then dried on a screen, leaving a crystalline layer over the centers. Also, where as in his previous book he only had a page or so that discussed panning, he now has a detailed section on how to go about the chocolate panning process.

[lebowits]

Mine should be delivered today (arrived in my local post office at 1 am). Hooray!

Just ordered my copy (again). Amazon had cancelled my previous "pre-order" over a month ago.

[RobertM]

Got mine a few days ago, haven't come up for air yet.....now I'm protecting it from Sandy....

[tikidoc]

Mine should be delivered today (arrived in my local post office at 1 am). Hooray!

Just ordered my copy (again). Amazon had cancelled my previous "pre-order" over a month ago.

Bummer. Too humid to mess with chocolate right now anyway. It's a soppy mess here in central VA, and you have to be wetter than we are!

[curls]

The recipe for peppermint flake (2nd ed.) calls for chocolate liquor... is this unsweetened chocolate or something else?

[Kerry Beal]

The recipe for peppermint flake (2nd ed.) calls for chocolate liquor... is this unsweetened chocolate or something else?

Unsweetened chocolate aka cocoa mass aka cocoa liquor.

[curls]

Thanks Kerry.

[JenBunk]

So I am making the Coconut squares form the book and had a question about the Frappe. I make the frappe last night and all seemed fine. It had the same consistency as marshmallow fluff. Well this morning I noticed that there was a sort of syrup on the bottom and what was on top had the texture of whipped egg whites. Did I do something wrong or is that normal? Should I whip it again? HELP??
Jenny

[Kerry Beal]

Mine has never separated - so not sure what might have happened. Perhaps Chocolot will weigh in - she's the expert in all things mazetta/frappe.

[curls]

For future reference, you can use marshmallow fluff instead of making your own Frappe. Pretty sure I read that in Greweling's At Home book.

[JenBunk]

Update: I just threw it back in the mixer and put it on high and viola, it came back together. I was not expecting it to be that forgiving as sugar for me rarely is
For anyone who might make this in the future, I would suggest cutting the recipe to a quarter or at least half. I wasn't really paying attention and just went with the recipe and ended up with way more frappe than I know what to do with. Also the book says you need a 5 qt mixer (which is what I have) and there was no way that it was going to all fit in there.

Curls-I did know about the fluff substitute, but I am a glutton for punishment I guess:) I even made my own invert just for this recipe too! All I can say is this better be the best coconut confection EVER!! The fluff is looking pretty good right now.

[JenBunk]

Can anyone tell me what the shelf life for the Frappe might be? I have a lot extra and I was wondering how long I have to use it up.

[Chocolot]

Put it in the fridge. Should last a few weeks. Might need to stir it again.

[JenBunk]

Thanks Ruth!