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Easy Royal Icing That Hardens Perfectly for Sugar Cookies

A stack of sugar cookies topped with glossy white cookie icing featuring a vibrant, wet-look rainbow swirl design.
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Learn how to make smooth, glossy cookie icing that hardens perfectly every time. This beginner-friendly royal icing recipe is ideal for decorating sugar cookies for holidays or gifts, ensuring your designs look professional and stay durable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 6 tablespoons warm water (approximate)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup (optional, for extra gloss)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder until fully combined.
  2. Add the vanilla extract and 5 tablespoons of the warm water to the dry ingredients.
  3. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  4. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 5 to 7 minutes until the icing is very smooth and holds stiff peaks. This incorporates air for a glossy finish.
  5. Check the consistency. If the icing is too thick for piping, add the remaining water, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired thickness. For flooding, you will need a thinner consistency.
  6. Separate the icing into bowls if you plan to color it. Add gel food coloring sparingly and mix until the color is uniform.
  7. Use immediately for outlining or flooding your sugar cookies.
  8. Allow the icing to dry completely. For a hard, durable finish, let the cookies sit at room temperature for at least 6 to 12 hours, or overnight. Do not refrigerate while drying.

Notes

  • For a glossy cookie icing that dries hard, the corn syrup is helpful but optional.
  • If you skip meringue powder, substitute with 2 large egg whites, but be aware of food safety guidelines regarding raw eggs.
  • To achieve the right consistency for piping outlines, the icing should hold its shape when drizzled off a spoon. For flooding, it should flow smoothly off the spoon and disappear back into the surface after counting to ten.
  • If you are looking for alternatives to traditional baking, check out the best meal delivery services for quick weeknight meals.
  • This recipe provides a durable cookie icing perfect for stacking and gifting.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/easy-cookie-icing-hardens-glossy-recipe/