Royal Icing Recipe

Royal icing is a versatile and classic icing that dries hard with a smooth, glossy finish, making it perfect for decorating sugar cookies, gingerbread houses, and other baked treats. It is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and can be tinted with gel food coloring to create vibrant designs. This recipe is ideal for both outlining and flooding cookies, giving your baked creations a professional, polished look without the need for complicated techniques or ingredients. Whether you’re decorating for a holiday, a special occasion, or just for fun, this royal icing recipe delivers consistent results every time.

Ingredients

• 3 egg whites
• 1 pound confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl.
• Beat on medium-low speed until frothy, about 1 minute, ensuring no yolk is present for best results.
• Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar while mixing on low speed to avoid losing volume.
• Add the vanilla extract and continue to mix until fully combined.
• Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until stiff, shiny peaks form.
• If desired, divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring.
• Transfer the icing to piping bags and use for outlining and flooding cookies.

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 36
Yield: Enough icing to decorate approximately 36 cookies