Royal Icing
Ingredients
4 cups powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
3 tablespoons meringue powder
1/2 cup water (adjust as needed for consistency)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for flavor)
Gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the powdered sugar and meringue powder. This helps to ensure a smooth icing without lumps.
Add Water:
Add the water to the dry ingredients. Begin mixing at low speed to avoid creating a cloud of powdered sugar.
Mixing:
Beat the mixture at medium to high speed for about 5-7 minutes until stiff peaks form. The icing should be thick and glossy. If it's too thick, add a little more water, a teaspoon at a time. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Optional Flavoring:
If you want to add flavor, you can mix in vanilla extract or another flavor of your choice. Make sure it complements the taste of your baked goods.
Coloring:
Divide the icing into separate bowls if you want to make different colors. Use gel food coloring to tint the icing to your desired shades. Gel coloring is preferred over liquid coloring as it doesn't add extra liquid to the icing.
Cover and Store:
Cover the bowls with plastic wrap when you're not using them to prevent the icing from drying out. Royal icing can dry quickly, so it's essential to keep it covered.
Decorating:
Once your icing is ready, you can use it to pipe borders, flood cookies, or create intricate designs on your baked goods. Allow the icing to dry completely before stacking or packaging your decorated items.
Remember that royal icing can harden quickly, so work efficiently and cover any unused icing to prevent it from drying out. Adjust the consistency as needed for your specific decorating needs.