Royal Icing For Decorating

Royal icing is a timeless classic. Its smooth, satiny (sometimes glossy) finish adds an elegant look to your baked goods. It can also be worked through a small piping tool, to make fine detailed lines. It is best to keep it tightly covered in a container, or sealed in a piping bag, when you are not directly working with it, as it tends to dry up fast. 

Also, remember there are 2 consistencies when working with royal icing-- "piping" consistency, and "flooding" consistency. The difference is how much water you use. Less water makes a thicker icing for piping. While more water makes a thinner icing for flooding. 

"Piping" is of course for piping lines. This can either be done on the outer edge, or in the middle. 

While "flooding" is used to fill in or flood an entire surface area with a glossy, smooth layer of icing. You most often see this technique being used to decorate holiday or special occasion cookies. It is also used on cakes and other goods. Some people will only use one technique, or the other. But quite often, you will see both techniques being used on the same baked good. 

 

NOTE: Lining the edges with some piping, is a great way to contain the flow and keep a clean look while flooding, as it creates a barrier. 

Of course, you can also add food coloring for different colors! I strongly recommend "gel" food coloring, because it is more concentrated and it ads less water. Thus there is less impact on the consistency of your icing. 

With that being said-- let's get to the recipe, so you can start decorating!

Royal Icing For Decorating

Ingredients:

2 egg whites

1 lb powdered sugar (454g)

¼ tsp cream of tartar (1g)

1 tsp vanilla (5ml)

2-4 tbsp water (10-20ml) -- less for piping, more for flooding

Directions:

1. Sift powdered sugar into the bowl of a kitchen mixer (you can also use a large bowl with a hand mixer). Add cream of tartar. Blend well a low mixing speed.

2. Add the egg whites, one at a time, while continuing to blend. Add vanilla and enough water to reach desired consistency. If you want it thicker for piping lines, use less water. If you want it thinner for “flooding”, use more water. Decorate as desired.