Aaarrgghh! Royal icing on xmas cake is rock hard!

[workatemylife]

So it is the only foodie disaster of the holidays, but it is a longlasting one. Cake is fine, covered with marzipan and royal icing. But the iced cakuncovered for three days after icing (oops) and the royal icing is rock hard. We need a chisel . Is there a rescue? Pick it off as we eat each slice? Try to break it off and re-ice? I tried putting a cup of hot water in the tin to see if the steam helped, but not use. Grrrrr.

[cheesecheeseplease]

they a breadknife? or a tree saw? I would think picking off each slice as you go would work best

[jennimoo]

Not much help but if you made it try adding a little glycerin to the icing next year as it keeps it from getting too hard.

[workatemylife]

Lesson learned! Dd knocked over the glycerin as we made the icing so we did without. Not a good idea. So the power tools might be the only option

[Hassled]

That's what I actively set out to achieve with my Royal Icing, and I never manage it - I'm very jealous. That's the sort of icing my mother used to make - would crack your fillings but tasted wonderful.

[YearsMidnight]

I thought it was meant to be?? Now I'm v confused. You can add glycerine while making up, as it says on the packet, but I suspect nothing can unharden it as it is.

[workatemylife]

Nobody else seems to mind! Clearly it is possible to worry too much. Next christmas I'll be here asking why it didn't harden!

[TheELFycatOnTheShelf]

I like my icing to be like that

[ChunkyPickle]

I think that's half the fun- trying to chip your way into Christmas cake that most people don't even want to eat anyway, and you'll only manage a tiny slice of.

I took one round to MIL and reminded people that they didn't have to eat it, I was perfectly fine with it being ornamental.. I think 3 small slices were eaten in the end - much prettier as an ornament anyhow