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**A couple of updates! Since writing this post, I have pretty much become a professional cookier! I make dozens a week, and this recipe still holds up perfectly! My customers love it and I love working with it! (Check out more cookies I have done HERE!)
Also- When I was just a rookie learning the ropes, I used reusable bags with tips. Thrifty? Sure! But my gosh the time that I wasted washing those stupid bags out! And I felt like I had a hard time getting the precision that I wanted. I have since switched to THESE Bags and you guys, GAME CHANGER! I waste zero time washing things, and they are so cheap that I don’t feel bad going through them! Once I adjusted to doing most of my work with tipless bags, I actually like it so much better. I still use my tips for details such as florals (this Is a great set to get you going!)
Okay…On to the post!
Royal icing can be a super tricky thing. You have to get the recipe just right or else it comes out lumpy, cracks, or dries weird. When I decided to make “fancy cookies,” as we call them, for Addilyn’s First Birthday, I knew that I needed to try a few and create something that was just right! I started by testing out cookie recipes until I found the perfect one that made them firm enough to decorate but still chewy and delicious. Grab that recipe here.
Then it was on to the royal icing, which was honestly the one I was more nervous about. A few of my trials left me with icing that tasted good, but didn’t hold up or harden. Other attempts left me with a layer of stone (kidding) on my cookies that could chip a tooth. I took bits and pieces of all of these and combined them until I found one that was just right!
First off, I learned that it actually is best to use the paddle attachment on your mixer versus the whisk. I never would have thought to do it this way, but it supposedly helps keep the icing from separating if you don’t use it right away. Knowing that I would be decorating these in stages, that sounded like a good thing to me! So that’s what I did.
First, I rounded up my ingredients. You will need a 2lb bag of powdered sugar, vanilla extract (or you can add almond extract!), warm water and meringue powder. I like the Wilton Brand the best!
Next you will add your bag of sugar to your mixer bowl and then add the meringue powder to that. Mix on low until it is well combined. While that is stirring, I like to take about half of my warm water (maybe 1/2 cup total) and go ahead and add the extract to that. For this batch, I wanted it to be sweet! So I put 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
From here, you will want to slowly add your water mixture to the dry ingredients with the mixer on low-medium. Make sure you scrape the sides a bit so that there isn’t a lot of powder left. Your mixture should start to take on a thick, sticky appearance almost like honey. If it’s still not quite that texture, you can add up to another 1/4 of water. I wanted my icing a bit on the thick side (more on that below) so I didn’t add the full 3/4 cup. I totally forgot to take a picture of this step for you guys….fail! SO sorry!
Anyways, once you have that honey-like goop, turn that puppy up to medium-high and whip it for 2-3 minutes. It should look about like this when you are done.
From here, you can either use it right away or store it in an airtight container right on your counter top! I will add some further icing steps below, but here is the recipe for those of you who are just ready for me to get to the point!
The Perfect Royal Icing
Ingredients:
- 2lb bag of powdered sugar
- 5.5 Tablespoons Meringue Powder
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2-3/4 cup warm water
Directions:
- Add your sugar and meringue powder to your mixer and combine on low using the paddle attachment.
- While the sugar is mixing, add your extract to 1/2 cup of warm water.
- With the mixer on Low-Medium, gradually add your water, scraping the sides. You want the mixture to reach a honey-like consistency, and can add up to another 1/4 warm water to get it there. Make sure you don’t get it too runny!
- Once your icing is goopy and honey-like, turn the mixer up to medium-high and whip it for 2-3 minutes!
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Okay now that I gave you what you came here for, here are a few other things I learned along the way!
First off, I tried to make thinner icing initially as my “base” icing. What I found was that when I added sugar to thicken it for details, it got crusty and lumpy. I was not a fan of that approach! So what I discovered from a few wise cookiers that I know was that it’s better to make your icing a little more on the thick side and then just add water to smaller batches to thin it for flooding your cookies
I also learned to do a “knife test” for the icing that I wanted to flood with. That means to thin down your icing and add any coloring that you want (gel coloring is best), and then run a butter knife through it. Once you run your knife through, count how many seconds it takes for your icing to come back together and make that line disappear. I found that the best flood consistency icing had about a 10-12 second delay.
You will want to allow an hour or two of dry time when doing sections that touch each other. For the banners below, I did the outer two sections and then once they were mostly dry, I went back and did the middle section. If you are going to use a stencil or anything that applies pressure, its best to let them dry overnight between layers. The plaques, for example, I went back and added detail to the next day.
If you want your icing to have a shiny surface (and not take 10 years to dry) its great to put them in front of a fan when you finish flooding them. I just use a couple of small tabletop fans like this one.
Here is an incredibly satisfying video (I could seriously watch it on repeat!) of the flood process! As you can see me do in the video, be sure to work quickly to get any dents and bubbles out! I just use a toothpick to work them out. If you don’t do this before your icing starts to crust over, it will make a mess. So be sure and work quickly!
Here are my finished cookies! They tasted and held up great! I just ate one a week after the party and it still tasted every bit as delicious as the day I made them!
Check out my other viral icing recipes!!
Hi what tool do you use to pipe the icing onto the cookies?! Any recommendations for good ones?
I just recently switched to these and they are fantastic! And a huge time saver!
https://amzn.to/2P2DRSG
My icing is the consistency of marshmallows? I have added quite a bit of water to it trying to thin it out but it’s staying the same? I followed the recipe, any idea what may have went wrong?
Sometimes overmixing the icing can cause that. Try less mix time and add a little more water, gradually!
I can’t wait to try your recipes, especially the royal icing. My granddaughter are coming today to make cookies. Your recipe was exactly what I was looking for!!! Thank you thank you!!!!
I forgot to say granddaughters..how far ahead can you make royal icing so it stay fresh?
It will keep for about 1.5- weeks!
Do you outline with the same consistency you flood with in the same bag?
usually, yes! Because I like my outline and flood to be seamless. If you want a visible outline, go a bit thicker!
Thank you for sharing your recipe! What size tip do you use to pipe the icing?
I actually use these bags! I have gone for the most part, tipless, and I love it! It takes some getting used to but cleanup is way easier!
https://amzn.to/2tDTTd6
Please if I don’t have meringue powder can I use egg white . And how much will I use
Hi, thank you so much for sharing your recipe. I was wondering if this icing still has a soft bite despite not having any corn syrup?
I made both the cookies and the icing and everything was perfect! My icing wasn’t as shiny as yours- I may have over whipped it. Or maybe it wasn’t as the right consistency when I switched speed. My question is- have you ever flavored the cookies? Like with lemon? Thanks!
Hi.. I have seen some royal icing recipes that include white Karo corn syrup and it gives a great shine, which is what I am looking for..what is your opinion on that..?.
Using a fan on your icing will actually help with the shine. Adding a TBSP of corn syrup will soften the bite a bit though! I have done it before!
Hello! If I were to make this icing using other liquids (like lemon juice or strong tea) instead of the water or as part of the water how would this affect the freshness of the icing food-safety-wise? I am particularly interested in lemon juice (would fresh Vs lemon juice in a bottle make a difference in terms of the safety?). I assume there is enough sugar the lemon juice would be fine but I am curious to know! Thanks!
I think it would be fine! just store it in the fridge to be safe! Or you could make it as the recipe says and add a little lemon flavor/extract?