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The Best Foolproof Royal Icing for Sugar Cookies That Hardens Perfectly

A hand holding a tree-shaped sugar cookie topped with bright white cookie icing and colorful nonpareil sprinkles.
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Make smooth, glossy royal icing that dries hard and is perfect for decorating sugar cookies. This easy recipe works well for beginners and holiday designs.

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons warm water (or slightly more or less)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder.
  2. Add the vanilla extract and 6 tablespoons of warm water to the dry ingredients.
  3. Using an electric mixer on low speed, mix until the ingredients are just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  4. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 5 to 7 minutes until the icing is very smooth, glossy, and holds stiff peaks. This whipping time is important for the texture.
  5. Check the consistency. For outlining, the icing should be thick. For flooding (filling in areas), add water, one teaspoon at a time, until the icing flows smoothly off the whisk in a ribbon that sinks back into the bowl after about 10 seconds.
  6. Divide the icing into separate bowls if you plan to color it. Add gel food coloring sparingly and mix until the color is uniform.
  7. Use the icing immediately for decorating cookies. For best results, outline your cookies first, let the outline dry for 15 minutes, and then flood the centers.
  8. Allow the decorated cookies to air dry completely at room temperature for several hours, or overnight, until the icing is completely hard and not sticky to the touch.

Notes

  • For a professional, glossy finish, use gel food coloring instead of liquid coloring, as liquid adds too much moisture.
  • If your icing is too thick, add water 1/2 teaspoon at a time. If it is too thin, add sifted powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.
  • This icing hardens well, making it great for stacking or gifting holiday cookies. Avoid refrigeration until the icing is fully set.
  • If you are planning complex designs or need to transport cookies, consider this recipe as a good alternative to meal planning for busy holiday weeks.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/easy-cookie-icing-recipe-hardens-perfectly/