Royal Icing

1 pound powdered sugar
5 tablespoons meringue powder or 1/4 cup pasteurized egg whites
2 tablespoons water
food coloring (optional)

Combine powdered sugar and meringue powder or egg whites in a mixing bowl and beat on low speed. Add water drop by drop. The amount depends on whether you used the powder or the egg whites, and on the temperature and humidity in your kitchen. Add the water slowly and do not let the mixture get runny - you will probably not use all of it. Beat until the mixture holds a trail on the surface for five seconds when you raise the mixer from the bowl. If you like, you can tint the icing with a few drops of food coloring. Makes 6 cups.

Note: Note: we do not recommend using raw egg whites in this recipe because of the risk of Salmonella, especially if children, elderly, or pregnant women will be eating them.

You Might Need:

Reviews of Royal Icing:

1-5 of 45 reviews   Next >>

  Sarah in Wisconsin  Jan 4, 2010
Would not make this again.
Tastes ok not great works well enough but I am confused. Recipe says it makes six cups. I end up with barely 2. What am I doing wrong? 16 oz =2 cups = 1 lb , right? Recipe says 1 lb powdered sugar three stars

  Nicole in Ohio  Dec 8, 2009
Would make this again.
When using this icing on cut out cookies, is the icing hard? five stars

  babyshowercakes  Jun 27, 2009
Would make this again.
awesome, use it as a super thin layer under cake icing for a crumb coat and it gives chocolate cakes a white icing with no crumbs and a nice surprise crisp thin layer between the cake and the icing. five stars

  A cookie baker in Chicago  Feb 1, 2009
Would make this again.
Can you use almond or vanilla extract in place of some of the water? Is this what I would use to cover wedding cookie cut outs to make them look smooth and shiney before I decorate? Trying to find a less expensive alternative to paying $4.00 a cookie. five stars

  A cookie baker  Dec 22, 2008
Would make this again.
good recipe four stars

Add Your Review!

Read the Review Guidelines opens in new window

  • Rating from 1 to 5 (5 being best):
  • Would you make it again? Yes   No
  • Name (optional):
  • E-mail (optional):
  • Do not display name and e-mail with review.
  • Where are you from? (optional)
  • Your comments:
  • Have you read the guidelines opens in new window? If so,