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Easy Royal Icing Recipe for Sugar Cookies

This foolproof royal icing recipe for sugar cookies creates smooth, delicious, quick-setting icing perfect for decorating cookies of all shapes and occasions. With stable structure from meringue powder and customizable consistency for outlining and flooding, this is the cookie decorator’s dream icing.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course: Frosting & Icing
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 4 cups powdered sugar about 1 pound
  • 6 tablespoons warm water
  • 3 –4 tablespoons additional water for thinning
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring optional
  • Clear vanilla extract optional
  • Lemon almond, or peppermint extract (optional variations)

Method
 

  1. Set up a grease-free mixing area and whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder.
  2. Ensure dry ingredients are evenly combined to prevent lumps.
  3. Add water and vanilla extract; mix on medium-low, then medium-high until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
  4. Adjust consistency by adding water or powdered sugar as needed.
  5. Divide icing into bowls and add gel food coloring as desired.
  6. Thin icing gradually with water for flood consistency, leveling within 10–15 seconds.
  7. Pipe outlines with thick icing and fill with flood icing, smoothing with a toothpick.
  8. Allow icing to dry 6–8 hours or overnight before adding details or packaging.

Notes

Always begin with thicker icing—it's easier to thin than thicken. Mix at moderate speeds to avoid unwanted air bubbles.