How to Make a Perfect Royal Icing
Royal icing is the perfect accompaniment to any baking that requires construction. Although you can use most any stiff frosting to decorate gingerbread buildings, for example, royal icing is a simple solution to the issue of construction mortar. It also keeps well. Royal icing also makes a decorative touch on a cookie. Add food coloring to make your cookies seasonally-appropriate, such as orange at Halloween or red and blue for Fourth of July. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Electric mixer
- 6 egg whites or equivalent meringue mix
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 pounds confectioner's sugar
- Pastry bags
Instructions
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1
Beat the egg whites in a perfectly clean mixing bowl until stiff.
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2
Sprinkle cream of tartar over the beaten egg whites. Stir it in to stabilize egg whites. Skip this step if you are using meringue mix and the ingredients include tartar. Meringue mix is available in craft stores or kitchen supply outlets.
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3
Add the confectioner's sugar very gradually, mixing as you go.
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4
Crank up the mixer to the highest setting when you've added all the sugar. Beat the icing until it begins to look glossy. This means that the sugar has been completely incorporated into the eggs. Add more confectioner's sugar if your mortar is too thin. Add a few drops of water if it is too thick and food coloring, if needed. Beat thoroughly after any additions.
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5
Spoon the mortar into a pastry bag. Tie off the end with a twist tie and twist the bag down from the end as you work.
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Tips & Warnings
This icing may be used to decorate cookies too. Add water and food coloring. Warm it in the microwave and dip sugar cookies to coat.
Make a pastry bag by snipping off the tip of wax paper folded in quarters. Craft and restaurant supply stores sell coated fabric bags with a variety of tips.
Make sure the gingerbread is clean and dry before applying icing. Swipe off extra flour with a damp, but not wet, pastry brush.
Be careful not to overbeat eggs as they will turn rubbery and break down when you add the sugar.
This thick icing is tough on mixers. If you have a handheld mixer, halve the recipe and make two batches until you know how rugged your equipment is.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
