icing domes

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DEHYDRATED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES are a great alternative to artificial dyes and produce gorgeous natural colors. Dehydrated black mulberries and green tea powder are mixed into these icings to create subtle blue and green hues. To use dehydrated fruits and vegetables in icing, grind them into a fine powder using a food processor, then stir 1 tablespoon into the icing at a time until you reach the color you desire. Plants and vegetables that are bitter or strong in flavor, such as wheatgrass or turmeric, will alter the flavor of the icing, so it’s best to avoid them.

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To PIPE DOMED ICING DOTS, use a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip. Hold the bag with the tip about ½ inch away from the surface of the cake. Apply pressure until the icing forms a dome, then release the pressure and pull the piping bag directly upward away from the dome. Here, I finished the dots by placing a blueberry on top of each dome.