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Foolproof Royal Icing Recipe Using Meringue Powder

A glass bowl filled with stiff, perfectly piped white icing, resembling peaks, illustrating a successful royal icing recipe.
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Make smooth, stable royal icing that dries hard and glossy, perfect for detailed cookie decorating. This easy recipe is reliable for beginners and yields bakery-style results for sugar cookies.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 to 8 tablespoons warm water

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the sifted confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder. Whisk them together until fully mixed.
  2. Add the vanilla extract and 6 tablespoons of warm water to the dry ingredients.
  3. Using an electric mixer on low speed, mix until the ingredients are just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  4. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 5 to 7 minutes until the icing is very smooth, bright white, and holds stiff peaks.
  5. Check the consistency. If the icing is too thick for piping, add the remaining water, one teaspoon at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  6. To achieve piping consistency (for outlining), the icing should hold its shape when lifted. For flooding consistency, add more water until the icing flows smoothly off the spoon and you can draw a ‘figure 8’ that disappears back into the mixture within 10 to 12 seconds.
  7. Color the icing using gel food coloring, mixing thoroughly until the color is uniform.
  8. Use immediately or cover tightly with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent drying.

Notes

  • Always sift your confectioners’ sugar to prevent lumps in your smooth icing.
  • If you need icing that dries extra hard for stacking or shipping, reduce the water slightly or add 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar to the dry ingredients.
  • Store unused icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week; bring to room temperature and remix before using.

Nutrition

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