Best Marthas Favorite Royal Icing Recipes

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.

ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• Stir together the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder, and 1 1/4 cups water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until smooth, about 7 minutes. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, to achieve a consistency slightly thicker than honey. Icing can be stored airtight up to 2 hours.

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 WITH EGG WHITES

Steps:

• Place egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat using the whisk attachment until frothy. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and mix well. Gradually add the remaining 3 3/4 cups sugar, beating on low speed and scraping down the sides.
• Increase the speed to high and continue to beat the mixture until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. At this stage, the icing will be very thick. Add water, a few drops at a time, to thin it to the consistency appropriate for the kind of 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 consistency that works best for you. Store icing at room temperature in an airtight glass or metal container. It should be used within two days.

ROYAL ICING FOR LOVEBUG AND ONE-PIECE COOKIES

Steps:

• Using a hand mixer with the beater attachments, beat together meringue powder with 1 cup water until peaks form. Add sugar and continue mixing until smooth. If mixture seems too thick, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix until desired consistency is reached. If mixture seems too thin, add confectioners' sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

VERSATILE ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• Put sugar, meringue powder, and 3 tablespoons water into mixer bowl; mix on low speed until combined. Use immediately, or refrigerate airtight up to 1 week; bring to room temperature, and stir before using.