Marthas Favorite Royal Icing Recipes

ROYAL ICING FOR SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine sugar and meringue powder. Mixing on low speed, add a scant 1/2 cup water. For a thinner consistency, usually used for flooding, add more water. A thicker consistency is generally used for outlining and adding details. Mix until icing holds a ribbonlike trail on the surface of the mixture for 5 seconds when you raise the paddle.

ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• Beat the whites until stiff but not dry. Add sugar, lemon juice and glycerin (if using); beat for 1 minute more. If icing is too thick, add more egg whites; if it is too thin, add more sugar. The icing may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

MARTHA'S FAVORITE ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and beat with a mixer on low speed until smooth and opaque white, about 7 minutes. If icing is too thick, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until icing has the consistency of glue; if too thin, beat icing 2 to 3 minutes more, or add more sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time.

ROYAL ICING FOR HOLIDAY SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Mix sugar, water, and meringue powder with a mixer on low speed until smooth, about 7 minutes. Icing should be the consistency of glue. (If icing is too thick, mix in a little more water. If icing is too thin, add more confectioners' sugar.) Add food coloring, 1 drop at a time, until desired color is achieved; if making more than 1 color, divide icing and work in batches. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. Stir before using.

ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• Put egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat until stiff peaks form. Add sugar, lemon, and juice; beat 1 minute. If too thick, beat in more egg whites; if too thin, beat in more sugar.
• Divide icing into small bowls and tint with a few drops of liquid food coloring as desired. Use immediately.

ROYAL ICING FOR MARSHMALLOW TREATS

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine confectioners' sugar and meringue powder with scant 1/4 cup water on low speed. Mix until fluffy yet dense, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Color the icing as needed starting with a small amount of gel food coloring.Transfer to a small pastry bag fitted with a 1/32-inch pastry tip (#1 Ateco).
• If making marshmallow treats, pipe faces as desired, or pipe eyes on both sides of coated chicks and two eyes and a nose on bunnies. Pipe one eye on flat bunnies and chicks. Store the royal icing in an airtight container up to a week, and stir before using.

ROYAL ICING WITH MERINGUE POWDER

Steps:

• Place meringue powder and 3/4 cup water in the bowl of an electric mixer and use the whisk attachment to combine. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar; mix well on low speed. Gradually add remaining 3 3/4 cups sugar, mixing constantly and scraping down the sides.
• Increase the speed to high and continue to beat until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. Gradually add more water as necessary to thin to the consistency appropriate for the decorating you are doing. As a rule, the icing should be stiffer for lettering, more malleable for making petals -- but you will need to experiment to find the best consistency. Store at room temperature in an airtight metal or glass container for up to 2 weeks.

ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• Place the meringue powder and a scant 1/2 cup water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
• Whisk the mixture on low speed until combined. Add the sugar, scraping the sides of bowl as needed, and beat until soft peaks form, about 10 minutes.