Good royal icing recipes are hard to come by, let alone magical ones. Treat your treats to this sublime icing recipe, passed down through generations of mythical fairies.
For a FREE, sharable, printable version: click here.
An alternate version was submitted and accepted on They Draw & Cook, which you can find here.
For instructions on finding icing consistency for cookie decorating, click here.
Thanks to my amazing designer/art director Arthur Kononuk, for creating this adorable illustrated recipe and intro for me! I love it and hope you do too.
xo,
Marian
p.s. I linked this post up to Tidy Mom’s I’m Lovin’ It.
I must be doing something wrong. I’ve gone over your instructions and when trying to mix the powdered sugar in with my paddle attachment, it is so dry and thick my paddle stops moving. I’m going to try adding some water but I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t have to based on your instructions. Am I doing something wrong?
I did add all the powdered sugar at once. Maybe I should have put a few cups at a time.
Thanks for your advice.
Hi @ Rhonda: Yes, you do have to add water. It will vary depending on the environment you live in (really, humidity for a dry climate makes a huge difference), but you will need to add water to get the consistency you need. Please click on over to the icing consistency video (the sentence in the post which is bold and italicised, where it says, “For instructions on finding icing consistency for cookie decorating, click here.”
Well, never mind my last question as I’ve figured it out. I’m embarrassed to say but the recipe I’ve been using for a long time makes a double batch and I automatically added enough powdered sugar for a double batch. I’ve added more of the rest of the ingredients and am hoping it turns out OK.
Glad to hear you figured it out, @ Rhonda!
Thank you so much for replying so quickly! You are such a wonderful resource for bakers! The consistency thing is the biggest key to decorating and it is the trickiest. I plan to follow your 10 second rule of thumb and see how it goes. I usually can eyeball it but occasionally have to add water or powdered sugar but I think the 10 second rule will be very helpful!
Hi!!! Had been on your site the whole day! It´s soooo helpfull and awesome and frankly what you do it´s beautiful!!! sorry for my English I´m from Venezuela and mostly self educated in that as well on baking!!! I´m trying to help with the economy of my house and I can already make cakes and cupcakes 3d, but decorated sugar cookies is something that can´t be found here easily and well can be made for less money and be sold for less money, and that something very good for finding more clients here in Venezuela, I sow earlier a recipe that you call second best, with raw eggs, we don´t have here albumina or merengue powder
can you please link me there? I already search for an hour and could not find it!
So nice, @ Jennypher, thank you!!
Here is the recipe with egg whites:
http://sweetopia.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Classic-Royal-Icing-Made-with-Egg-Whites.pdf
Here are a few tips on decorating in a hot/humid environment:
http://sweetopia.net/2011/07/how-to-avoid-spots-on-icing/
http://sweetopia.net/2009/10/how-to-prevent-your-icing-from-bleeding-7-tips/
xo
Hi! Thanks for the amazing sugar cookie recipe! So soooooooooo yummy!! I have several questions if you don’t mind..
1)I was wondering how long this royal icing will last if I cannot use the entire batch at once?
2)Is this the same royal icing that I can put to decorate fondant cakes?
3)Any ideas how many cookies (approx.) it will cover?
Thank so much! You site is so helpful and you are truly talented!
HI, @ Kelly:
1) Here is a post for you – http://sweetopia.net/2011/01/how-do-you-store-royal-icing-and-how-long-can-you-keep-it/
2) Covering the cake in fondant or gumpaste flowers etc. seems to be popular lately. You can definitely make royal icing decorations for your cake though.
3) About 30 average sized cookies
Thanks for your comments! xo
Hi, I want to try your recipe but don’t have a mixer with a paddle. Can I use a hand mixer? If so, how long do I mix it for and on what speed. Thanks.
Yes, you can, @ JP. On the lowest speed, and add more water if it becomes too thick near the end, and is hard on the mixer.