newbie fights with trace

grumpy_owl · Mar 22, 2015

I've making CP for about a year now and am still trace-challenged. From my observation, once your batter has emulsified, you can continue to beat it into any density of trace desired, correct?
But it will continue to thicken even if you're not standing over it burning out your stickblend motor.
So my question is this: If I'm in search of a good thick trace, using only one color and no swirls or fancy stuff, can I just get it to thin trace, walk away and watch an episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine before coming back to glop the successfully thickened batter into my mold?
I am wondering about this (lazy, I know) technique especially for humpy "mountain peak" tops. That way, the lower, flat layer gets thick enough to hold the top layer, which itself won't run all the heck over the sides but is manipulatable into a foofy whipped-cream look.
I've never seen anyone advise this and am wondering why it wouldn't work.

Obsidian · Mar 22, 2015

Yes, you can get it to emulsion/thin trace and walk away until it gets to the thickness you want. I do it quite often when working with my high lard recipes since it takes so long to trace. It really shouldn't take more then a few minutes to thicken up though, I'd think leaving it until your show was over would be way too long.

Seawolfe · Mar 22, 2015

Once at emulsion, I would pour it in the mold, and try to make the textured top after a while. That way if it over solidifies, at least it will be nicely in the mold.

Dorymae · Mar 22, 2015

Why go to thick trace? Once at trace, (if you are afraid of separation) pour it and forget it. Watch 2 episodes if you want.

Susie · Mar 22, 2015

They want humpy tops.

I would soap a little warmer, also. It helps. It also helps to speed trace if you grate a bit of cured soap into it. Just 0.25-0.5 oz does wonders to speed trace and thereby thickness.

grumpy_owl · Mar 22, 2015

Wow, thanks, Susie! How did you know I have bars of unscented but perfectly good failures lying around?

So, if I understand correctly, I can ensure there is a thin trace, pour out my flat layer to the top of the log mold, go scoop the cat litter, take out the garbage, play a little Candy Crush, keep giving the remaining batter a stir while I check its density, then glop it on top and texture?
I soap at about 105-110, and am too paranoid not to check it frequently. I have had bad experiences with pouring the bottom layer too thin and then being impatient and having the top layer spread out and drip down the sides of my mold.

Going to pretend I'm not on deadline try this tomorrow! Thank you all so much!
And yes, I'm a girl. Those are my actual legs in the pic. :wink: