Print

Perfect Hardening Royal Icing for Sugar Cookies

A clear glass bowl filled with thick, bright white, freshly whipped cookie icing.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Follow this straightforward recipe to make smooth, glossy royal icing that hardens perfectly every time, ideal for detailed cookie decorating.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 6 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder until fully combined.
  2. Add the warm water and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
  3. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are just incorporated. 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 thick, smooth, and holds stiff peaks. This is your stiff consistency icing for outlining.
  5. To achieve a thinner consistency for flooding, add water one teaspoon at a time, beating well after each addition, until the icing flows smoothly off the whisk in a ribbon that disappears back into the bowl after about 10 seconds (this is 15-second consistency).
  6. Divide the icing into separate bowls if you plan to color it. Add gel food coloring sparingly and mix until the color is uniform.
  7. Use the stiff icing to outline your cookies. Let the outline dry for at least 30 minutes until firm to the touch.
  8. Flood the outlined areas with the thinner icing. Gently tap the cookie on the counter to release air bubbles.
  9. Allow the icing to dry completely at room temperature for several hours or overnight until hard and glossy before stacking or handling.

Notes

  • For a no-corn-syrup option, substitute the corn syrup with an equal amount of light corn syrup substitute or use the recipe as written for the best hardening results.
  • If your icing is too thin for flooding, add more sifted powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time.
  • If your icing is too thick for outlining, add water, one half-teaspoon at a time.
  • Use gel food coloring instead of liquid coloring to avoid thinning the icing consistency.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://dishicious.com/easy-cookie-icing-recipe-hardens/