Call ‘them’ whatever you like, royal icing plaques or run outs are a decorated cookie’s perfect confectionary accessory. They can add dimension to a cookie’s surface, as well as artistic accuracy. And, we’ve all seen many wonderful tutorials instructing us how to create these masterpieces. Let’s face it, making them is so much fun.
Removing them is another story, the story no one really takes the time to describe. The instructions in many of these tutorials say, “peel carefully from the parchment paper”. While that’s absolutely correct, if you haven’t played with this technique, more of your hard work will lie broken into bits and you’ll curse and shake your fists in the air, as you vow silently to yourself that you will never make another cookie as long as you live.
Frankly, I take all this for granted since I learned this trick in culinary school. Until my college roommate (and budding cookie decorator) Debbie messaged me asking just how to go about unsticking these plaques from the parchment, I didn’t give it much thought. But, as I tried to succinctly answer her with the instructions, I thought…”BINGO…BLOG POST!”
So, I printed out a big Times Roman “G” and used some leftover royal icing to pipe out a few on parchment. Then, I resurrected my Flip video camera and got J to video my hands in action.
Nothing to fear here. Just make sure you let your creations dry for at least 8 hours before attempting to remove. Find a flat, smooth surface with a 90 degree edge on it so you can pull the parchment as easily as I have. Gather the released plaques and put them aside so you don’t scatter them hither and yon while you’re doing your victory lap around the kitchen.
And, say thanks to Debbie for giving me a great idea for a blog post.
Call me dramatic but you are an angel! Last night I made flower centers and this am I just tried to remove one from the paper and it broke. I thought I just needed to wait longer. I sat down and your blog post was the first one I read in my reader! Yippee….I am armed and ready for my victory lap. Seriously…what perfect timing.
Thanks!
Kelly
4 G’s? Gorgeous, Glamorous, Generous Gail… I love the video and how clever you are! Thanks for sharing all of your talents and tips! xo
Thank you Debbie!!! (really, thank you Gail!)
GREAT post!
HAHAHA! I love this! Not sure when I might need it, but when I do, I’ll know exactly where to go!
You are so awesome!!! Love this!
Brilliant! You explained in 1:12 of a silent video more than any words could
I love this! But where’s the video on how you made the Gs in the first place? If there’s no video I’ll settle for a post with pictures! I’m easy like that!
Loved your video. I was waiting for a thumbs up at the end!
I like the “plaques” too.
Oh, this is great! Now I know!! I was an offender of the first 2 “finger wags”
As soon as I saw this, I went “oooohhh, light bulb!” since I’ve refrained from doing a lot of things with run outs because (I thought) I have terrible luck with them!
Mind BLOWN–I did a ton of numbers for my class reunion cpck toppers and more than half broke…I could have used a few choice words for them …..I wish I had seen this earlier. AWESOME post. Thank you.