...
Go Back

Easy Royal Icing for Sugar Cookies

This easy royal icing recipe is perfect for decorating sugar cookies. It dries to a smooth, hard finish, making your cookies look professionally decorated.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings: 4 cups
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

Icing Ingredients
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (1 lb)
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 6 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Gel food coloring (optional)

Method
 

  1. Whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder.
  2. Add warm water and vanilla extract (if using) to dry ingredients.
  3. Beat with an electric mixer on low until combined, then on medium-high for 5-7 minutes, until glossy and stiff peaks form.
  4. Adjust consistency with water or powdered sugar as needed.
  5. Divide icing, add gel food coloring if desired, and mix well.
  6. Transfer icing to piping bags or squeeze bottles.
  7. Decorate cookies and let icing dry completely before storing.

Notes

For best results, use gel food coloring as it won't change the consistency of the icing as much as liquid food coloring.