Recipe for Fresh Lemon Royal Icing. This recipe make 6-6 1/2 cups. It will ice approximately 6 dozen cookies, about 3 inch in size. Remember to ice cookies with a satin smooth finish you need to add water to thick icing to make it more fluid. Be sure to refer to my Guide to Royal Icing Consistency, with useful video tutorial.
Serving size 2 tablespoons
- 1 kg powdered sugar sift if needed
- 70 grams meringue powder
- 5 grams (1tsp) cream of tartar optional
- 55 ml strained fresh lemon juice
- 110 ml tap warm water
- 10 ml (1tbl) Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp (5ml) almond extract optional
- 2 lb (7-8 cups) powdered sugar, sift the sugar if needed
- 4 1/2 tbsp meringue powder
- 1/4 cup strained fresh lemon juice one lemon
- 1/4 cup +2tbsp tap warm water
- 1 tsp cream of tartar optional
- 1 tbs Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Almond extract optional
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Make sure all your tools are grease free!
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I wipe my tools with a piece of paper towel and vinegar. Wipe dry with a clean towel.
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Sift the powdered sugar if needed, if powdered sugar has big chunks make sure you sift it, otherwise I don't sift.
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Whisk meringue powder with fresh lemon juice and warm water, until slightly foamy, add cream of tartar, whisk well and then add all the powdered sugar at once. Using your stand mixer, on the lowest setting, using paddle attachment, mix for about 3-4 minutes, add vanilla extract, continue mixing for another 5 minutes. Scrape the bowl once and beat again.
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When icing is done it should be stiff. Try not to overmix.
HOW MANY CUPS DOES THIS RECIPE MAKE?
About 6-6 1/2cups, will ice 6 dozen cookies, about 3 inch in size.
I ONLY NEED A LITTLE BIT OF ICING, HOW DO I MAKE A SMALL BATCH?
Here is the recipe I use Small Batch Royal Icing
HOW LONG DOES THIS ROYAL ICING RECIPE LAST?
Fresh Lemon Royal Icing can be stored at room temperature for up to a month. Or you can freeze it, too. How to Freeze Royal Icing.
CAN I STORE IT AT ROOM TEMPERATURE?
Store royal icing in an airtight container. Covered with a plastic wrap to prevent crusting.
Fresh Lemon Royal Icing can be stored at room temperature for up to a month.
However, I store unused icing in the refrigerator. I prefer refrigeration as icing doesn’t separate as much as it does at room temperature.
I DON'T LIKE LEMON CAN I JUST USE WATER INSTEAD?
If lemon flavor is not your thing, it’s okay. You can still make royal icing using this recipe. In a place of lemon juice use water instead.
CAN I USE LEMON JUICE FROM A BOX?
Honestly the only bottled lemon juice that I would recommend is Volcano Organic Lemon Juice .
DO I HAVE TO SIFT POWDERED SUGAR?
Is powdered sugar you are using lumpy? If you yes, sift it. I use powdered sugar that doesn't have lumps and I don't sift it anymore and I have not issues with icing.
I HAVE TONS OF LEFTOVER CAN I FREEZE ROYAL ICING ?
If longer storage is required you can follow these steps and learn more about how to Freeze and reuse frozen icing for cookie decorating.
I DON'T HAVE MERINGUE POWDER CAN I USE FRESH EGG WHITES INSTEAD?
- Vegan Royal Icing
- Royal Icing made with fresh eggs (either pasteurized or raw)
- Royal Icing made using Liquid Egg Whites
DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT ROYAL ICING?
Check my Royal Icing FAQ.
I'M NEW TO COOKIE DECORATING DO YOU HAVE A TUTORIAL ON HOW THIN ROYAL ICING AND PREPARE IT FOR COOKIE DECORATING?
Here is a great post Guide to Royal Icing Consistency - I explain different icing consistencies and their use in cookie decorating. Post include a video tutorial that show examples of different consistencies used for real cookie decorating project.