Royal Icing

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

• tip 1
  Some of the other uses for this icing besides outlining and flooding cookies include: decorating gingerbread cookies, assembling gingerbread houses and decorating wedding cakes.
• tip 2
  Meringue powder is a pasteurized dried egg white product that is used in recipes when food safety is a concern. It also helps to make the icing dry hard. Look for meringue powder in the baking aisle of the grocery store.
• tip 3
  An easy way to fill your decorating bag is to place it in a glass measuring cup or a large pint glass, and fold the opening down around the glass so it’s like a collar; fill the bag. Remove the bag, and bring ends together; twist and squeeze mixture toward tip, and pipe!
• tip 4
  For best results, pipe with a small amount of this icing in the decorating bag while piping outlines. It makes it easier to control the flow as you are squeezing; just add more if needed.
• tip 5
  Royal Icing dries quickly when exposed to air. Be sure to keep icing bowl covered with plastic wrap while you’re decorating. If piping tip or tip of squeeze bottle gets clogged, use a toothpick to loosen, and squeeze to remove clump.
• tip 6
  Using disposable plastic decorating bags instead of canvas decorating bags make cleanup a snap! Disposable plastic decorating bags and tips can be purchased in the baking section of most craft stores.
• tip 7
  Plastic squeeze bottles can be found in craft stores or in large grocery stores. If you don’t have a squeeze bottle, pour the thinned icing into a 1-cup glass measuring cup, and pour or spoon some into center of cookie; use small metal icing spatula to help fill in all areas.
• tip 8
  Using a small funnel will make it easier to fill the squeeze bottle with this icing.
• tip 9
  If any air bubbles form as you spread the glaze, pop with a toothpick or wooden skewer for a smoother surface.
• tip 10
  This recipe makes 2 1/4 cups Royal Icing before water is added for flooding consistency. Leftover icing can be tightly covered in a container at room temperature.