Corn Syrup Use in Royal Icing

In preparation for Liesbet Schietecatte's next Toolbox Talk, which is all about the use of corn syrup (and other additives) in royal icing, I'd like to ask you a few questions about your corn syrup and icing-making habits. So here goes! This is a short survey (only 12 multiple choice questions), so it should go fast!

IMPORTANT:
(1) If you select any "Other" options in any of the questions, please also specify what that "Other" is in the box that appears underneath. Responses are limited to 255 characters. PLEASE NOTE: THIS MEANS SPECIFYING THE BRAND YOU USE (EVEN IF A STORE'S PRIVATE LABEL BRAND) IN "OTHER" IF YOU DO NOT SEE IT ALREADY LISTED IN Q2!

(2) If a question does not apply to you or you don't know the answer, DO NOT skip it; instead, select the "N/A (not applicable)" or "D/K (don't know)" option. You must answer all questions, or your responses will not be saved by the system.

Thanks for your participation!

Q1: On a scale of 1 to 5, where 5=widely available in all grocery stores, how available is corn syrup in the area where you live? (Check only one.)

5 = Widely available in all grocery stores

4 = Available in most grocery stores

3 = Available in some grocery stores and specialty food/baking stores

2 = Tough to find in stores; I can sometimes find it in specialty stores, but often have to shop online for it

1 = Not at all available in my local area

D/K - I don't know what corn syrup is and/or have never looked for it in stores

Q2: What brand/type of corn syrup do you most often use in your baking and/or decorating of cookies, cakes, and other sweets? (Check only one.)

Karo Light

Karo Dark

Golden Barrel Light

N/A - I don't use corn syrup in any of my baking or decorating

Other

Q3: How often, if at all, do you use corn syrup in your royal icing used for cookie decorating? (Check only one.)

Always

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

N/A - I don't make royal icing

Q4: Why do you use corn syrup in your royal icing for cookie decorating? (Check no more than three.)

To make the icing set with a softer "bite"

To make the icing shinier once it sets

To enhance the icing flavor

To enhance the icing texture, i.e., make it smoother or more flexible for piping

To delay icing drying time

To speed up icing drying time

N/A - I don't use corn syrup in my royal icing

D/K - I don't know what corn syrup is

Other

Q5: If you answered "Rarely" or "Never" to Q3, why DON'T you use corn syrup in your icing (Check no more than three.)

Added corn syrup delays drying time

Added corn syrup makes the icing too soft to package

I don't like the added sweetness

Colors dry with more spotting or mottling when I add corn syrup

Added corn syrup makes the icing too shiny for certain techniques (i.e., coloring beads up on the icing when I airbrush or paint on it)

N/A - I use corn syrup in my icing

D/K - I don't know what corn syrup is

Other

Q6: How often, if at all, do you use GLYCERIN (aka glycerol) in your royal icing used for cookie decorating? (Check only one.)

Always

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

N/A - I don't make royal icing

Q7: Why do you use GLYCERIN (aka glycerol) in your royal icing for cookie decorating? (Check no more than three.)

To make the icing set with a softer "bite"

To make the icing shinier once it sets

To enhance the icing flavor

To enhance the icing texture, i.e., make it smoother or more flexible for piping

To delay icing drying time

To speed up icing drying time

N/A - I don't use glycerin (aka glycerol) in my royal icing

D/K - I don't know what glycerin (aka glycerol) is

Other

Q8: How often, if at all, do you use GLUCOSE in your royal icing used for cookie decorating? (Check only one.)

Always

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

N/A - I don't make royal icing

Q9: Why do you use GLUCOSE in your royal icing for cookie decorating? (Check no more than three.)

To make the icing set with a softer "bite"

To make the icing shinier once it sets

To enhance the icing flavor

To enhance the icing texture, i.e., make it smoother or more flexible for piping

To delay icing drying time

To speed up icing drying time

N/A - I don't use glucose in my royal icing

D/K - I don't know what glucose is

Other

Q11: Are you a hobbyist or a professional cookie decorator? (By professional, I mean someone who sells decorated cookies or other related items, such as cookie decorating products or classes.)

Professional

Hobbyist

Neither; I don't decorate cookies or sell any cookie-related items

Q12: How long have you been decorating cookies?

Less than 1 year

1 to 3 years

4 to 7 years

8 to 10 years

More than 10 years

Posted by Julia M. Usher · 4/19/179:18 PM