Royal Icing

By Addie

Royal Icing is a white icing that dries to a hard, smooth, matte finish, and is used for decorating and frosting cakes and cookies. Royal icing can also be used as the “glue” to attach decorations or when putting together a gingerbread house. Since it dries to a rock-hard, brittle texture, it is a crunchier texture than other frostings, but is still delicious. It is made with confectioners (powdered) sugar, either raw egg whites or powdered egg whites or meringue powder, and water. Royal icing decorations will last almost forever, as long as the icing doesn’t come into contact with grease, and the dried icing does not get wet.

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
• Food coloring (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Beat egg whites in a bowl with electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

Slowly add powdered sugar while mixing.

Add flavored extract and beat on high until thick. Add drops of food coloring to tint white icing.

Dries to a hard glossy finish. Great for sugar cookies or molasses cookies.