royal icing recipe

royal icing recipe: Glossy Hard-Drying Cookie Icing

by

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Silky, glossy, and utterly satisfying to pipe and flood, this royal icing recipe is the secret to bakery-style decorated cookies at home. Whether you’re outlining delicate snowflakes or flooding a tray of sugar cookies, the clean white sheen and crisp finish make every bite feel special—perfect for holidays, parties, or a cozy afternoon of decorating.

Why You’ll Love Thisroyal icing recipe Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare with a few pantry staples…
  • Produces a smooth, hard-drying finish ideal for detailed decorating…
  • Versatile—adjust consistency for piping, flooding, or writing…

A Little Background

Royal icing has long been the go-to for crisp, professional-looking cookie decorations. Traditionally made with egg whites, modern home cooks often use meringue powder as a safe and stable alternative. This style of icing dries rock-hard, which makes stacked cookies, intricate piping, and layered designs possible without smudging or sagging.

Key Ingredients for perfect royal icing recipe

  • Powdered (confectioners’) sugar: Provides sweetness and structure; sift for silky texture.
  • Meringue powder or pasteurized egg whites: Stabilizes the icing and helps it set hard.
  • Water: Adjusts consistency from thick (piping) to thin (flooding).
  • Vanilla or lemon extract: Adds a subtle flavor—use clear vanilla to avoid discoloring white icing.
  • Light corn syrup (optional): Gives extra shine and helps a bit of gloss on finished icing.

Step-by-Step Instructions to make royal icing recipe

  1. Combine meringue powder (or egg whites) with a small portion of water and begin beating until foamy. Add sifted powdered sugar gradually while the mixer runs on low to prevent dust clouds.
  2. Once the sugar is incorporated, increase the mixer speed and beat until the icing holds medium to stiff peaks for piping. For a shiny finish, fold in a small amount of light corn syrup if desired.
  3. To get flood consistency for filling shapes, thin the icing with additional water—add teaspoon by teaspoon—until it flows smoothly off a spoon and levels within a few seconds.
  4. Divide and tint with gel food coloring as needed. Transfer thicker icing to piping bags for outlines and details, and use thinned icing for flooding. Let decorated cookies dry completely—several hours to overnight—until firm to the touch.

Pro Tips & Variations

  • Test consistencies: thick for piping (holds shape), thin for flooding (smooths out). A toothpick test helps—thin icing should flow back within 10–15 seconds.
  • Keep unused icing airtight (plastic wrap directly on surface) to prevent crusting; store in the fridge for short-term or freeze for longer storage, then re-whip before using.
  • Use gel colors to avoid watering down the icing. For vibrant pastels, mix a small amount of concentrated color into a portion of icing.

Serving Suggestions

Royal icing pairs perfectly with classic sugar cookies, gingerbread, and shortbread—ideal for holiday cookie swaps, wedding favors, or festive gift tins. Serve with tea, coffee, or sparkling cider and let the icing harden fully before stacking for transport.

royal icing recipe

Royal Icing Recipe

Creamy, glossy royal icing that dries firm for flawless outlines, flooding, and details—ideal for sugar cookies, gingerbread, and special-occasion bakes. Simple ingredients, bakery-worthy results!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Drying Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 cookies decorated
Calories 80 kcal

Equipment

  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Fine-mesh sieve
  • Piping bags
  • Piping tips or squeeze bottles
  • Toothpicks or scribe tool

Ingredients
  

Royal Icing

  • 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 3 tbsp meringue powder
  • 6 tbsp water plus more as needed to adjust consistency
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract use clear vanilla to keep the icing bright white
  • 1 tsp light corn syrup optional, for extra sheen

Optional for Coloring

  • gel food coloring add sparingly; gel won’t thin the icing like liquid colors

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk the meringue powder with 6 tablespoons of water until lightly foamy.
  • Sift the powdered sugar, then add it gradually on low speed to avoid dust clouds. Mix in the vanilla (and corn syrup, if using).
  • Increase to medium speed and beat until the icing is thick, glossy, and holds medium to stiff peaks, about 3 to 5 minutes. Avoid overbeating to prevent excess air bubbles.
  • Adjust consistency: keep thicker icing for outlining and details; thin with water a few drops at a time for flooding until it smooths out in about 10–15 seconds. Divide and tint with gel colors as desired.
  • Transfer to piping bags. Outline cookies with thicker icing, flood with thinned icing, and pop any bubbles with a scribe or toothpick. Let dry completely, 6 to 12 hours or overnight, before stacking or packaging.

Notes

To prevent crusting while you work, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of any unused icing and keep bowls covered.
If the icing becomes too thick during decorating, stir in water a drop at a time. If it’s too runny, mix in a spoonful of sifted powdered sugar until it returns to the desired consistency.
Store icing in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Re-whip briefly before using, adding a few drops of water if needed to smooth it out.

Nutrition

Calories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 21gSodium: 5mgSugar: 20gCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword cookie decorating, icing, royal icing recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!