I don't use a lot of royal icing decorations in my cake decorating, but when I do, this easy royal icing recipe is my go-to. We also pull it out whenever we are decorating sugar cookies too!

As with any royal icing or buttercream recipe, consistency is key. If you are piping, you may need to slightly thicken up the consistency of the royal icing with additional powdered sugar.

If you are flooding cookies or just need a softer consistency, simply add more liquid.

Royal Icing

We use this royal icing recipe to decorate sugar cookies! You can also use it for piping details onto fondant or gum paste, or for creating decorations to place on cakes and cupcakes.

Ingredients

¼ cup (30g) meringue powder
½ cup (120ml) warm water
1 lb. (4 cups or 453g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
½ teaspoon clear vanilla

Instructions

This royal icing is piping consistency… but you may still need to add a little more powdered sugar to thicken, or a few drops of water to make it thinner, depending on the consistency you are going for. This recipe can also be halved.

Add meringue powder to warm water in your mixing bowl.
Whisk by hand until meringue powder is dissolved –about 1 minute.
With the paddle attachment on your mixer, add the confectioners’ sugar and clear vanilla and mix at low speed until the sugar is incorporated. Increase speed to Medium-High and beat for 7 – 8 minutes until stiff peaks form.
The stiff peak stage is ready for piping or you can make it slightly stiffer by add more confectioners’ sugar a small amount at a time — it becomes a matter of preference and you will determine what works best for you.

Stiff Peak stage is when you lift your spoon out of the bowl the icing stands in a straight peak.

Soft Peak stage is when the spoon is lifted the peak is straight with a slight curve at the end;

For Flooding you will need to add water a little at a time until because the consistency will change very quickly.