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The Ultimate Stable Royal Icing Recipe: Perfect for Beginners & Pro Cookie Decorating (Made with Meringue Powder)

Close-up of stiff, bright white royal icing recipe mixture piped into soft peaks in a small white bowl.
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Follow this easy royal icing recipe using meringue powder to create smooth, glossy icing that dries hard, perfect for decorating sugar cookies and holiday baking.

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract (or preferred clear flavoring)
  • 6 tablespoons warm water

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder until fully combined.
  2. Add the warm water and clear vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
  3. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer until the ingredients are just combined and a thick paste forms.
  4. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 5 to 7 minutes until the icing is very smooth, glossy, and holds stiff peaks. This is your base stiff consistency.
  5. To achieve piping consistency, add water 1 teaspoon at a time, mixing well after each addition, until the icing flows slowly off the whisk.
  6. To achieve flood consistency (10-second consistency), add water 1/2 teaspoon at a time to the piping consistency icing until, when drizzled from a spoon, the line disappears into the surface in about 10 seconds.
  7. Divide the icing into separate bowls for coloring. Add gel food coloring sparingly and mix until the color is uniform.
  8. Cover the icing bowls tightly with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the icing to prevent a crust from forming.

Notes

  • For stiff consistency (outlining/piping), use the icing immediately after mixing.
  • For flood consistency, let the icing rest for 10 minutes after thinning before using it to allow air bubbles to dissipate.
  • Store unused royal icing in airtight containers at room temperature for up to two weeks. Do not refrigerate.
  • If the icing becomes too thick upon standing, stir in a few drops of water to restore the desired consistency.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/royal-icing-recipe/