Water Baths

Ice Water Bath When a recipe says to cool the mixture to room temperature and you want to do this quickly, an ice water bath works well, providing the mixture is stirred to equalize the temperature.

To make an ice water bath: Place about a quart of ice cubes in a large container and add enough cold water just to float them. Sprinkle a handful of coarse salt on top to lower the temperature (as if making ice cream). If the mixture to be cooled is in a glass bowl, which holds the temperature, and it should not be chilled beyond a specific point, as with mixtures containing gelatin, have ready some hot water to take the chill off the bowl when the mixture has reached the proper temperature. Setting the pan briefly on a marble or granite countertop and then on a wire rack (for air circulation) will further draw out the heat.