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A swirl of stiff, white Royal Icing for Decorated Cookies piped onto a festive holiday plate.

Royal Icing for Decorated Cookies

Learn how to make glossy royal icing for decorating cookies. This recipe provides a foundation for creating beautiful designs for any occasion.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Drying Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1 batch
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 51

Ingredients
  

  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 pound confectioners' sugar (450g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment

  • stand mixer
  • Mixing bowl
  • Piping bags

Method
 

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium-low speed until frothy, about 1 minute.
  2. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla.
  3. Once fully incorporated, increase speed to medium-high and beat until stiff, shiny peaks form.
  4. Divide icing among small bowls, and dye with gel food coloring if desired. Keep any icing that isn’t being immediately used covered with plastic wrap as it dries out very quickly. Transfer to piping bags and decorate cookies.

Nutrition

Calories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 4mgSugar: 12gCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For flooding consistency, add a few drops of water to the icing and stir with a spatula until you achieve the desired consistency. Piping an outline first helps keep the icing from sliding off the cookies.

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