Does anyone out there use egg whites as opposed to meringue powder? If so how long can it sit out at room temperature? Would love to know if anyone has experience using it in cookie kits for others to decorate with? Thanks in advance!!
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I'm not sure what you are asking. In Greece eggs are sold in cartons at room temperature. They are not refrigerated like in the States. I have RI cookies with egg whites sit out during Xmas for weeks and they were fine.I don't have the powder and always prefer fresh to anything. I am sure there is a spoilage point but couldn't say when.
I use egg whites most often too, but if I were serving the public, I'd use pasteurized whites or meringue powder to minimize risk of salmonella. If the eggs are fresh, farm-raised and salmonella-free to start, and you haven't contaminated the icing through other poor food handling practices, then the icing can sit out a long time and be quite safe - as long as it takes the icing on the cookies to dry and be eaten. (In general, products very high in sugar, such as this icing, suppress bacterial growth. But salmonella is inherent to the egg, so if you're feeding the very young, old or those with compromised immune systems, best to use something other than raw eggs.)
Don't understand the part of your question about cookie kits though.
I think Sarah's "cookie kits" is where she's setting up a cookie decorating party/ or gifting cookie decorating kits where you give "blank/plain" cookies, along with icing in a couple of different basic colours for the recipients to decorate the cookies to their own designs. Have seen online around Easter or Christmas time. Is a cute idea. So I guess her concerns are re: a party that the icing may be out for a couple of hours; and with the cookie kits, that with postage/travel time & perhaps the recipients may not be as vigilant in keeping the icing in the fridge.
Unfortunately, I've never gone the fresh egg white route as I'm too afraid with the risk of salmonella, coupled with the heat we have here in tropical Queensland, Australia & the fact most of my cookie eaters are small children! Good luck!
Thanks to all who have answered - yes Kristine the cookie kit is where you provide plain uniced cookies with icing prepared for people to decorate their own cookies at a party or as gift for the holidays etc. I think if I prepare the icing using powder it will be safer if it has to sit at room temperature for several days? I would love to hear from anyone who has prepared these uniced cookie kits and how they went about it?!!
Hi all, I live in New Zealand and only use fresh egg whites for Royal Icing.I learnt from my mother that the icing can stay at room temperature for quite a while. She also used (which I do) a few drops of Acetic Acid E260 put in at the end of making the icing. "which is used to adjust the level of acidity. Acidity may affect microbiological quality, cooking results, flavour or texture of food" I take it as the acid inhibits microbiolgical growth.
I use wet heavy towels to maintain the moisture in the RI. And if I use small airtight containers I do not notice any problem with having it sit there for more than 2 weeks - just check it and stir.
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