Royal Icing [Fresh Eggs, Meringue|Liquid Egg Whites Recipes]
I use Royal Icing to decorate sugar cookies. And it can also be used to create dainty sugar roses, succulents, colorful butterflies or very intricate designs on cakes, cookies or gingerbread houses. In addition to decorating I also use to build all of my Gingerbread Houses and Centerpieces.
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- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What is Royal Icing?
- How is royal icing different from buttercream?
- What kind of egg whites can I use to make royal icing?
- Fresh Egg Whites.
- Fresh Eggs in-shell pasteurized .
- Liquid Egg Whites.
- Meringue Powder.
- How to make icing taste better?
- Sift or don’t sift powdered sugar?
- Recipe that uses Meringue powder.
- Make royal icing with fresh egg whites.
- Royal icing made with liquid egg whites.
- My icing is too hard when it dries, can I make it softer?
- How should I store icing?
- How long does icing last?
- Show me how to decorate cookies.
- My icing separates, why?
- Tools you need to make icing.
- Recipes
WHAT IS ROYAL ICING MADE OF?
Royal Icing is hard icing made from egg whites and powdered sugar. Often stabilizers like cream or tartar, lemon juice or vinegar are also added. As well as flavorings.
HOW IS ROYAL ICING DIFFERENT FROM BUTTERCREAM?
Royal icing dries into a hard candy like shell. Buttercream stays soft and creamy.
EGG WHITES
To make royal icing you need egg whites. Depending on what is available to you can use different forms of egg whits to make traditional royal icing.
TYPES OF EGG WHITE YOU CAN USE :
- Fresh Eggs : widely available
- Fresh Eggs in-shell pasteurized : not widely available, check with your local grocery store if they carry in-shell pasteurized eggs, available in the USA.
- Liquid Egg Whites (pasteurized) : widely available in the USA.
- Meringue Powder : consists of dried pasteurized egg whites, cornstarch and stabilizers. Readily available.
1. Fresh Egg Whites
As I’m sure you’ve heard this before. Shell eggs may contain bacteria called Salmonella. It is best to avoid using fresh egg whites when making royal icing for children, pregnant women, or anyone with a weakened immune system. Learn more about Egg Safety.
In my life I’d eaten dozens of raw eggs as a child and I’d never gotten sick. I’m also guilty of eating a raw cookie dough.
Several years ago I suffered a violent food poisoning (not from eggs). And I know how vicious are these symptoms. It took me weeks to fully recover.
So, my conclusion is that if you don’t have any other option but using fresh unpasteurized eggs to make Royal Icing, always make sure to use eggs from credible sources. In the United States new Egg Rule came to effect in 2010.
2. Fresh Eggs in-shell pasteurized
Though sparse, you can find pasteurized in-shell eggs in grocery stores in the United States. Shell of such an egg is stamped with a red or blue P in a circle.
These pasteurized shell eggs, according to FDA are safe to consume raw. You can learn more about Pasteurization process.
Whites of pasteurized shell eggs may appear slightly cloudy compared to fresh shell eggs.
3. Liquid Egg Whites
You can use All Whites Egg Whites, they are pasteurized and safe to use uncooked. You can find Liquid Egg Whites in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, usually somewhere around shell eggs.
4. Meringue Powder
To make icing for cookie decorating I primarily use Wilton Meringue Powder. It has a long shelf life and is safe to use uncooked. Meringue Powder consists of pasteurized dried egg whites, gum, cornstarch, stabilizers.
HOW TO MAKE ICING FOR DECORATING TASTE BETTER?
Because on its own it really doesn’t taste like much I flavor it heavily with extracts and natural flavors.
My favorite icing to use is my Fresh Lemon Royal Icing (made with meringue powder). I like to use fresh lemon juice in addition to Vanilla and Almond extract. Lemon adds a refreshing flavor. And it also cuts down on the sweetness of otherwise very sweet icing.
However if you are not a fan of lemon you can flavor it with other extracts. I prefer to add Vanilla Extract to pretty much everything. Always start with Vanilla Extract and then build it up with flavors to your liking. Use alcohol or water based flavorings.
My personal favorite is a combination of Vanilla, Lemon and Almond. Another popular flavoring is called Cookie Nip.
I also like all Vanilla Icing especially if icing is flavored with Vanilla Extract and Vanilla Bean Paste. It’s absolutely delicious.
CONFECTIONERS’ POWDERED SUGAR
I prefer to use powdered sugar that I don’t have to sift. If your powdered sugar has lot of hard lumps it is best to sift it. Powdered sugar contains a small amount of starch to prevent caking.
RECIPES FOR ROYAL ICING COOKIE AND CAKE DECORATING
Instructions to make Royal Icing are pretty much the same regardless of the egg whites you use.
- I will show you how to make icing using :
- Pasteurized Liquid Egg Whites
- Fresh Eggs ( these can be raw or pasteurized in- shell fresh eggs, process is the same for both)
- Basic Royal Icing using Meringue
- Fresh Lemon Royal Icing Recipe (my personal favorite, using meringue)
CLEAN THE BOWL :
Clean the bowl with vinegar and wipe it clean.
ROYAL ICING RECIPE USING MERINGUE POWDER
- Meringue powder
- Powdered sugar
- Cream of tartar (substitute 1tsp lemon juice)
- Lukewarm water
- Vanilla
Dry ingredients are added to the wet and mixture is beaten on low speed until it thickens. Then flavorings are added and once thick and shiny, royal icing is ready to be used.
In a bowl of you mixer whisk together lukewarm water, meringue and cream of tartar (you can omit if you don’t have, it’s used to further stabilize icing). Whisk until well combined and mixture is foamy. Next, into the bowl add all of the powdered sugar.
Mix icing on low speed. Scrape down the bowl to make sure everything is well combined. Mix until thick. On low speed mix in extracts. Once thick stop mixing and use or store icing immediately.
FRESH EGG WHITES ROYAL ICING
- Fresh egg whites
- Powdered sugar
- Cream of tartar (substitute 1tsp lemon juice)
- Vanilla, Almond, Lemon Extracts
Crack the room temperature eggs and separate egg yolks and egg whites. Into a clean mixer bowl add fresh egg whites ( pasteurized egg whites will look slightly cloudy, this is normal). Next, on low speed beat in cream of tartar and gradually while mixing on low speed add powdered sugar.
Mix till icing becomes think and then add extracts. Mix well and scrape the bowl to incorporate all the ingredients well. Once icing is thick store or use immediately. Store in an airtight container covered with a plastic wrap and covered tightly with a lid.
LIQUID EGG WHITES ROYAL ICING
- Liquid egg whites
- Powdered sugar
- Cream of tartar (substitute 1 tsp lemon juice)
- Vanilla, Almond and Lemon Extracts
Ideally you’d want to use a stand mixer when making icing. That being said when making a batch of icing using 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar it’s okay to use a hand held mixer.
Pour liquid egg whites into a bowl. On low speed beat in cream of tartar. Then gradually add powdered sugar. Don’t add all of the powdered sugar at once. Continue beating after each addition of powdered sugar until icing is thick.
Then beat in extracts. Mixing icing this way should take about 7 minutes or so. Store thick icing or use immediately.
Also, by the time you are done mixing with hand held mixer bottoms (or tops depends on how you look them; part that is exposed to air) of the beaters will be most likely crusted. Be careful not to add crusted bits into the fresh icing.
MY ICING IS TOO HARD WHEN IT DRIES, CAN THIS BE FIXED?
To remedy hard bite of dry icing you can add up to 1/4 cup of corn syrup to the recipe (2lb powdered sugar batch). And half of that amount to smaller batch recipes. Beat the corn syrup in with the extracts.
If making piped flowers and other decoration like butterflies, roses and such, I’d definitely keep the corn syrup out of the recipe.
STORING ROYAL ICING
It is very important that you protect icing from crusting. Thick icing crusts fairly quickly.
It is essential that you cover it with a damp towel or store it in an airtight container covered tightly with a plastic wrap, until ready to use.
HOW LONG DOES ICING LAST?
Icing made with Meringue powder lasts for up to a month at room temperature. I prefer storing icing in the fridge.
Use icing made with pasteurized liquid products without 5 days, store it in the fridge.
Icing made with egg white from fresh eggs should be used immediately.
DECORATE COOKIES
- COLOR YOUR ICING – You can color icing with food colors. I recommend using concentrated food gels. If possible color icing before you thin it with water.
- DECORATING COOKIES – To create smooth designs on cookies icing has be prepared for cookie decorating. You need to thin thick icing to more fluid consistency. This is achieved by adding a room temperature water to the icing. It is best to use a spray bottle to add water. Using a spray bottle helps to control the amounts of water added. When a spoon is used as it is really easy to add too much water all at once. You can learn more in depth about royal icing consistency in my Ultimate Guide to Royal Icing Consistency.
ICING FOR DECORATING SEPARATES
Separation is a common icing phenomenon. Notice in the picture below liquid is settled on the bottom and solids stay atop. This is absolutely normal.
Icing has to be stirred or mixed again to restore the consistency. I usually use a fork or a firm spatula.
TO MAKE ICING AND TO DECORATE YOU NEED
- TOOLS
- Stand Mixer
- Hand Held Mixer
- Spatula
- Bowls
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Whisk
- Piping Bags
- Food Colors
- My Favorite Cookie Making/Baking tools
- Favorite Decorating Tools
- Favorite Cookie Cutters
USEFUL TUTORIALS :
- Royal Icing FAQ – covers wider range of topics, from coloring, troubleshooting, tips and tricks on drying, bubbles, bleeding and more
- Freezing Royal Icing
- Small Batch Royal Icing
- Royal Icing Consistency
- Fresh Strawberry Royal Icing
Royal Icing Recipe
Ingredients
Meringue Powder Royal Icing (make about 6 cups)
- 4 1/2 tbsp Meringue Powder
- 8 cups powdered sugar (1040grams)
- 1 tsp cream of tartar substitute 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup + 2tbsp lukewarm water (150ml)
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Almond Extract
- 1 tsp Lemon Extract
Liquid Egg Whites Royal Icing (makes about 3 cups)
- 1/3 cup Liquid Egg Whites (80ml)
- 5 cups powdered sugar (650grams)
- ½ tsp cream of tartar substitute 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ tsp Almond Extract optional
- ½ tsp Lemon Extract optional
Fresh Eggs Royal Icing -(makes about 3 cups) in-shell pasteurized or raw, in-shell pasteurized eggs can be hard to find, check your local grocery store if they carry such product.
- 3 egg whites, (90-100grams)
- 5 cups powdered sugar (650grams)
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar substitute 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ tsp Almond Extract optional
- ½ tsp Lemon Extract optional
Instructions
ROYAL ICING RECIPE
Meringue Royal Icing
- In a bowl of your mixer, whisk together water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar. Add powdered sugar and mix on low speed with a paddle attachment. Mix till thick. It can take up to 10 minutes. Beat in extracts.
Liquid Eggs Royal Icing
- Whisk together liquid egg whites and cream of tartar. On low speed, gradually beat in powdered sugar. Mix for several minutes; the mixture will gradually thicken and become glossy. Beat till thick, then add extracts. It should take about 7 minutes or so.
Fresh Eggs Royal Icing
- Separate egg yolks from egg whites. In a stand mixer bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar and gradually keep beating in powdered sugar. Mix on low speed till thick. Then beat in extract and continue mixing until thoroughly mixed in. Icing should be thick and glossy.TIP: Start with a wire beater, then change to a paddle attachment once thicker.
Notes
- Make sure your tools are grease-free. Wipe them dry with vinegar.
- Use hand-held mixer or stand mixer.
- Once Royal icing is prepared, it can be colored and thinned down to more fluid consistency for cookie decorating. You can then fill your piping bags and decorate cookies as desired.
- If you plan on using royal icing later, store it in an airtight container covered tightly with plastic wrap and a lid to prevent crusting.
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I updated this post from 2010 with new photos, written text and new recipes.
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Hello Haniela,
If I make the royal icing with fresh eggs, can I do it using the Swiss meringue technique?
Daniella
Hello Daniella,
Unfortunately the method of heating egg whites and sugar and beating it won’t create the classic royal icing recipe.
Hi Haniela, I have a question about royal icing. Ok so I ordered some cookies from a lady who uses the same meringue powder that I do which is Genies Dream Meringue. But when I make mine, I use Vanilla extract and I know she does to but it has this floral type smell is the best way I can describe it and it tastes amazing. Do you have any tips on what could be in the icing to make it smell like that?
Hi Elisha,
the most common floral flavoring that I can think of is rosewater so maybe that’s what the cookie lady uses.
I’m guessing it’s Tahitian or Mexican vanilla. They are different than regular vanilla and ti me, are fruity/floral like.
Hi Kristen,
yes both of those are wonderful. I also like McCormick, I believe their vanilla is Madagascar type.
Can I make Royal icing chocolate? I have used a small amount as a base for black, but I don’t know if too much cocoa powder will change the drying texture.
Hi Holly,
yes you can make chocolate royal icing. I use 1 tablespoon per 1 cup of stiff icing. That’s about 1/3 cup sifted dark cocoa powder per large batch of icing (1kg or 2 pounds powdered sugar).
Try it first on a small amount and then try if icing is drying ok. Adding too much cocoa powder will cause drying issues.
Employ fans when drying, this promotes air circulation and helps with a sheen finish on iced cookies.
Thank you so much for the recipe! Would you mind sharing what color/brand you used to get that beautiful purple on the heart cookie?
Hi Terri,
I used electric pink and electric blue to make the purple. I hope it helps. Thank you for stopping by, Terri.
Thank you so much!
My pleasure.
Hello Haniela
How many grams is 8 cups of icing sugar?
Cheers
Siera
Hi Siera,
1 cup powdered sugar is about 130 grams, so 8 cups is 1040grams.
Hi Hani,
First time I’m making a meringue Royal icing but having major difficulties. I used the ingredients as listed but for some reason my icing is runny. I want to make the Cherry Blossom flowers you made but the icing is just really runny. I added more and more powdered sugar didn’t work, even added corn starch. It thickened slightly but not enough to be piped. Please help..
Hi Mel,
it’s hard for me to say what could have caused it. Sounds like there was too much liquid or an issue with powdered sugar. What kind of sugar are you using? I would suggest trying my small batch royal icing.
I followed the recipe using liquid egg whites and my icing was almost a fondant consistency. I was able to thin it down to pipe with but it still has a bit of the powdered sugar taste. I think because it didn’t mix well enough. That was one third of a cup egg whites to four and a half cups powdered sugar, right?
Hi Nicole,
icing, when first made is thick. I thin it with water to different consistencies.
Hi, if I’m using pasteurized liquid egg whites to ice my cookies, how long can the iced cookies stay at room temperature? Do the decorated cookies need to be refrigerated at some point?
Hi Jessica,
Cookies don’t need to be refrigerated.
Hi Haniela, I have a problem with my RI. I live in a country with highly humidity, I used all the water; however, my icing is not as stiff at the one on the photos. Can I eliminate the 2 tbsp?
Hi Monica,
yes, you can use little less water and also you can use up to 1/3 cup corn starch in the recipe to help reach the stiff consistency.
Can you use fresh egg whites for decorating gingerbread houses that will be on display for some time or does the icing go bad?
Hi Lina,
yes you can use use for houses that will be on display.
I love all your different cookie designs. I was hoping you could help me with a question. I will be doing a cookie decorating station for kids at our fall fair but I’m also helping set up, entering a baking contest ect. I was hoping I could make up the royal icing(pasteurized egg white), colour it and distribute it into the piping bags. I’m putting only a but of icing in many bags so each kid can pick 2 colors and each kid gets their own icing bags. If I wanted to get this done 2 days before the event do you think the bags of icing will hold up ok to be used 2 days later?
Hi Tara,
what a fun activity!
Yes, you should be fine making and prepping icing ahead of time. I’d store filled bags in the fridge to minimize separation. And then before your event
I’d just gently massage the bags, this is in case icing separates. I hope I make sense. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hani
I have a cookie business and always use meringue powder but with this Vivid mess I’m not able to go to the store to get more. I do have free range chickens. So I will be using fresh egg whites. AFTER I decorate the cookies and they are completely dry how do I store them for my costumers? Can they stay out on an air tight container or do they have to be stored in the fridge?
You can store them as usual. I know it’s difficult to get supplies right now. Hope you can get some meringue soon.
I love to watch your videos! I am trying royal icing for the first time for a baby shower and I was wondering if I could make & decorate the cookies ahead of time and then freeze them? I’ve frozen my cookies before and they come out fine, I am more asking how the icing will hold up.
Hello Ashleigh, yes you can freeze decorated cookies. Be sure to freeze them in freeze safe containers/ bags. Allow cookie to thaw completely before opening container or bags.
Have fun and Happy Easter.
Stay Safe.
Thank you so much for sharing. The recipe was so user-friendly and worked great.
Your videos are so inspiring!
Hi Nats,
thank you. So glad it worked out.
Hi Haniela! Thanks for posting this recipe, I absolutely love the consistency and it’s so easy to work with. I used the liquid egg whites when I made this (i had only ever used meringue powder with different recipes before I found yours). The only problem I ran into that I can’t seem to figure out is this icing dries SO fast! By the time I finish piping a circle outline, it’s already starting to crust. This makes it difficult when I flood too as I am not able to mix it in and get an even layer with a scribe. Help! How do I slow down the crusting?
Hi Nihana,
Sorry to hear you are experiencing these issues. Ambient temperature or air circulation. Are you working close the heater or a fan. I can affect how fast icing is crusting. Try adding little bit of glycerin or corn syrup to your royal icing, it can delay crusting time a little bit. And I’d recommend adding some white food coloring as well. Hope it helps. Hani
Hello! I am new to decorating cookies with royal icing and this is great info!! I wondered if you could tell me to make them shiny?!?
Hi Sarah, thank you!
How to make icing dry shiny
Try to speed up drying time by using fans to promote air circulation, it helps significantly with sheen finish on cookies iced with royal icing.
Hi, I use pasteurized liquid whites. Lately, my cookies get a splotchy look, not so much butter bleed but white splotches. I have dried the cookies on paper towels,do a 7 second flood, fan dry, etc. I whip my RI with the paddle and do it at #4 on my Kitchen Aid for 7 minutes. Hoping for advice on why this happens. I know to use AC and dehumidifier in summer and winter I keep the room at 66 degrees. I am about to give up on cookies!!
Hi Kristen,
Sorry to hear you are having issues with the icing. I would recommend adding white food coloring to royal icing.
Have you tried making royal icing with meringue and compare the results?
Hi Hani thanks for sharing your recepies and hints with us they are very useful. I have searched for the meringue powder here in Paris but cannot find it. Can you tell me how much egg powder and starch do I need to make my meringue powder please.
Hi Mimma,
you can use dehydrated/powdered egg whites to make royal icing. Have you checked the packaging on dehydrated egg whites you have? Often a recipe is printed on the back. If so, I’d follow that recipe to make royal icing.
Otherwise I’d use
3 tablespoons powdered egg whites (15ml liquid measure)
6 tablespoons warm water
4-5 cups powdered sugar (500grams)
1tsp lemon juice or cream of tartar (this is to stabilize the egg whites)
Thank you for this alternative recipe. I live in the UK and meringue powder is not widely available either, only on Amazon and it’s quite expensive. This comes in very handy. Cheers!
Hi Veronica,
I’m glad it’s helpful, keep me posted how it goes. Thank you!
Haniela, have you ever had a problem with bleeding when using liquid egg whites? It seems no matter what I do or how long I let each area dry I still have issues with bleeding.
Hi Elaine,
What food colors are you using? And what colors bleed, all or just some?
I use americolor. I have tried everything. Using a fan or heater. Adding corn syrup, mixing colors hours before use. All colors seem to bleed even yellow.
Try adding some white food coloring to the base of the royal icing. I personally prefer using meringue powder.
Thank you for everything you do!
Just wondering what bags you use? Also, do you use 1 or 2 bags per colour for outlining and flooding?
Thanks again!!
HI Kate,
I usually use 1 piping bag for outlining and for flooding. I like to use 15 second consistency for flood and outline.
Hi, my meringue powder has cream of tartar listed as an ingredient, do I still add the tsp cream of tartar? Thanks.
Hello Heather, you don’t have to add it.
What can I use instead of meringue powder? How much and will it change how the icing looks and dries? I’m so confused about what to do.
You can use chickpeas liquid to make eggless royal icing. Use about 6 tbl of the liquid strained from the canned chickpeas. Whisk it until foamy then add about 5 cups powdered sugar and beat until thick. Flavor with vanilla, lemon etc. Color with food colors.
Sorry waht is TBL? Is that Tablespoon? Thank you so much.
yes the measurement is tablespoon
This is very helpful since this is my first attempt at cookie making. So, I mixed the icing per your recipe and recommendations. I don’t have a stand mixer (but seeing the need for one!) I mixed with a hand mixer for 10 minutes. I was afraid to go longer as you said not to over do it. My icing didn’t turn out as thick as yours. It’s more like the outline consistency. Any suggestions for my second try? Oh, I did use Cream of Tartar as this is a humid climate. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thank you:)
You can add little more powdered sugar, and if you need to thin it down use little bit of water and a spray bottle. HOpe it helps.
Your recipe for this icing along with your sugar recipe are my go to recipes! Thank you for sharing these. They are wonderful! You are so talented!
Thank you Tammy, I’m glad you like them both.
Hi I just made this and it's freaky tangy like vinegar. I ended up tasting the cream of tartar and that's where out came from. Is it supposed to be that way our could my cream of tartar be bad?
Made these very pretty Used your cookie and royal icing recipe. But my I royal icing has a matte finish?
thanks for your recipe…I will try it later… in singapore we will have to use cold water.
Thank you Sadaf for stopping by.
Jeannie, I just love that recipe for Royal Icing.
You are very welcome.
Hi Haniela!
I use Antonio74 recipe too even her cookie recipe and I found them very good. Thanks for posting your techniques.
Jeannie
Wow its great great recipe, would like to give it try soon
cheers ,
sadaf