How to Make Royal Icing (Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial)

Cookie icing
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This simple royal icing recipe produces a white, hard icing that can be used to decorate candies, cookies, cakes, gingerbread houses. Royal icing dries into a very stiff consistency and does not have an appealing texture, so it should be reserved for small decorative touches or products that are not meant to be eaten. For an easily printable version, see this Royal Icing recipe.

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Watch Now: Easy Royal Icing Recipe for Decorating Cookies

  • 01 of 04

    Separate the Egg Whites

    Egg whites in bowl separated from yolk in hands
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    Begin by separating three eggs. It is easiest to separate cold eggs, but keep in mind that the egg whites should be at room temperature for this recipe. Make sure that there are no traces of yolks in the egg whites. (You can discard the yolks or save them for another use). While the egg whites are warming to room temperature, prepare the mixer bowl you will use by washing it and drying it—egg whites perform best when there is no trace of oil or other residues on the mixing bowl.

  • 02 of 04

    Combine the Ingredients

    egg white and sugar mixed in bowl
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    In the clean, dry bowl of a stand mixer, place the egg whites, 4 cups of powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon cream of tartar. Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment, and beat all of the ingredients together on low speed until combined.

    Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl to get any unincorporated powdered sugar. A hand mixer can be used for this recipe, but it will likely take much longer to get the icing to the right consistency.

  • 03 of 04

    Whip the Icing Until Stiff

    Icing being whipped in bowl with mixer
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    After scraping down the sides of the bowl, restart the mixer and beat the mixture on medium speed until very thick, shiny, stiff and white. This should take about 7 to 10 minutes, possibly much longer with a hand mixer.

    Check the texture to ensure that it is suitable for your needs. If you require a stiffer icing, add a little more powdered sugar at this point.

  • 04 of 04

    Finish the Icing

    royal icing with red dye mixed in bowl
    Elizabeth LaBau

    If you want to dye your icing just one color, you can add a few drops of food coloring into the bowl and mix it for a few seconds until the coloring is evenly distributed. However, if you want to make several different colors, divide the icing into several different bowls and stir in the food coloring by hand.

    Royal icing dries to a very hard consistency, and it will begin setting as soon as it is made. To prevent the icing from getting hard before you use it, thoroughly wet a paper towel and place it over the top of the icing in the bowl. It is very important to keep the icing covered! Likewise, if you are using a pastry bag and piping tips with the icing, twist the back end of the bag tightly, and wrap a wet paper towel around the tip when not in use so the icing will not dry in the tip.

    Depending on the temperature, humidity, and amount of icing used, royal icing should harden within 15 to 60 minutes of application. Do not refrigerate products with hardened royal icing, as the icing can become soft and sticky.

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