Royal Icing (3 Kinds)(Susan Brown)

By ctaubenheim

Ingredients

• Ingredients for all three variations - need to decide which one:
• Confectioners Sugar
• Water
• Extract
• Meringue powder
• Egg Whites
• Cream of Tartar
• Light Corn Syrup
• Milk

Preparation

Step 1

I am still experimenting with icing - recipes are below. The one I just used for the bees was new, and I was fairly pleased (#2). It set up fast and had a bit of a glossy sheen, which I wanted, but didn’t taste quite as good as the last one I used (#1). #1 tastes better, but has a matte finish – it just depends on what you want you finished cookies to look like.

Royal Icing #1 (matte finish, sets quickly) (large batch - makes enough for 9-10 dozen cookies)
4 lb. confectioners’ sugar (2 2-lb. bags)
¾ cup meringue powder
1- 1/3 to 1-1/2 cups warm water
2-4 Tbsp. oil-free extract (I use 3 Tbsp. almond)

Add dry ingredients first. Use mixer’s whisk attachment to incorporate sugar and meringue powder. Add extract to water. Slowly add to dry ingredients while mixing. At first it will be pretty liquidy. Continue mixing at medium speed until fluffy and peaks form, about 7-10 minutes. Stop mixing when it becomes still. Will keep one month without refrigeration (I have never had it longer than a couple of days). Add water as needed to get the consistency needed for piping/icing.


Royal Icing #2 (somewhat glossy finish, sets quickly)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg white
1 tsp cream of tartar
½ tsp extract (I use almond)

As above, mix dry ingredients, then add wet. This one will not be as stiff as the one above. First time I made this one, and I used all the icing in a day. Since it has egg white, I wouldn’t want to leave it out like above, and don’t know how long it would be good if refrigerated.


Royal Icing #3 (glossy, sets slowly)
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp light corn syrup
2 tsp milk
½ tsp extract

I haven’t tried this one yet – it’s on my to do list. Because it has milk, I’d also be sure to use it right away, and would try it if I was doing a small batch, or intended to do all my icing at once.