Royal Icing for Sugar Cookies
This Famous Royal Icing is smooth, bright, and easy to customize for beautifully decorated sugar cookies with a light lemon flavor.
Ingredients
Icing Base
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 4 tbsp warm water
- 2 c powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp light corn syrup
- 2 tsp lemon extract or lemon juice powder
- 1 tsp white food coloring optional for white icing
- to taste desired food coloring to match your theme
- as needed tbsp additional water for thinning icing
- more c powdered sugar for thickening icing
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, ensure there is no grease or oil residue. Mix the meringue powder and 4 tbsp of warm water using a hand mixer on high speed until completely dissolved and frothy.
- Add half of the powdered sugar and mix on low until incorporated.
- Add the remaining powdered sugar along with the corn syrup and lemon powder or extract. Mix on low until combined. Then switch to high speed and mix for 2 minutes.
- Taste the icing and adjust the lemon flavor if desired. The mixture should be thick and hold a soft peak.
- Use a spatula to mix in the white food coloring or any other colors as desired.
- To thin the icing, add ½ tsp of warm water at a time until the desired consistency is reached, aiming for flood icing consistency that settles in about 15-20 seconds.
- Optionally, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes to help release air bubbles.
Decorating
- Use the royal icing to decorate sugar cookies and allow them to dry uncovered overnight.
Notes
Store leftover icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator and press plastic wrap against its surface to prevent drying. Allow refrigerated icing to return to a workable consistency before use.