Description
This recipe provides instructions for making royal icing that dries hard and firm, creating a durable, glossy finish perfect for decorating, stacking, and gifting sugar cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 to 8 tablespoons warm water
Instructions
- Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl.
- Add the meringue powder to the sifted sugar and whisk to combine thoroughly.
- Add the vanilla extract and 6 tablespoons of warm water to the dry ingredients.
- Mix on low speed with an electric mixer until just combined.
- Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 5 to 7 minutes until the icing is smooth, glossy, and holds stiff peaks. This is your stiff consistency icing.
- If the icing is too thick, add the remaining water, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
- For outlining, use the stiff consistency. For flooding, thin the icing further by adding water, one teaspoon at a time, until it flows off a spoon in a ribbon that disappears back into the surface in about 10 seconds.
- Color the icing using gel food coloring, if desired, mixing well to incorporate.
- Apply the icing to cooled cookies. Let the icing dry completely at room temperature, uncovered, for several hours or overnight until it is hard to the touch.
Notes
- For a very hard, glossy finish, use the minimum amount of liquid required for your desired thickness.
- If you need to store leftover icing, place it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Do not refrigerate, as this can cause the icing to weep.
- If the icing develops air bubbles during mixing, gently tap the bowl on the counter a few times to release them before using.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Dessert Component
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup icing
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 45
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0