Royal Icing Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 egg whites, at room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 pound confectioners’ sugar
  • Flavoring and food coloring (a little goes a long way)

Royal icing is a must-have for decorating cookies, gingerbread houses, and edible crafts like the Cookie Express. This classic icing dries hard, making it ideal for assembling treats and adding detailed designs that hold their shape.

Instructions

  • 1

    Combine all ingredients except the sesame oil in a saucepan.

  • 2

    Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

  • 3

    Remove from heat and cool completely.

  • 4

    Strain to remove ginger and garlic pieces.

  • 5

    Stir in sesame oil.

  • 6

    Store in a jar or bottle in the refrigerator overnight to deepen the flavor.

How to Use It:

  • 1
    Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  • 2
    Beat on high speed for 8–10 minutes, until thick, glossy, and stiff peaks form.
  • 3
    Use immediately or keep covered while decorating.

Important Tips for Working with Royal Icing

  • 1
    Royal icing dries hard, so keep it tightly covered at all times.
  • 2
    Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap while working.
  • 3
    Add food coloring sparingly to avoid thinning the icing.
  • 4
    If icing thickens, mix briefly to restore consistency.

How to Use Royal Icing

  • 1
    Decorating sugar cookies and gingerbread
  • 2
    Assembling edible crafts and structures
  • 3
    Piping details that need to hold shape
  • 4
    Gluing cookies and candies together

Holiday Fun Year-Round

Celebrate the holidays with the best collection
of festive ideas and recipes to make every holiday special!

Celebrate the holidays with Dian Thoma's book Holiday Fun Year Round for just $14.99!