Easy Royal Icing Recipe with Meringue Powder

This easy royal icing recipe using meringue powder is perfect for icing sugar cookies!

What is meringue powder?

Meringue powder is made from pasteurized, dried egg whites.  It is a safer option than raw egg whites because it eliminates the risk of harmful bacteria that come from using raw egg whites in a royal icing recipe.  It has a long shelf life and is a convenient alternative to traditional icing for many bakers and decorators.

As a baker who follows cottage food laws, I'm not allowed to sell cookies frosted with a classic royal icing recipe that uses raw egg whites. That's why I love this recipe. It has the right consistency and dries hard with a beautiful glossy finish.

I've recently updated this recipe to include optional corn syrup so that the finished cookies have a "soft-bite" when the icing is fully hardened. You can find my Easy No Chill Sugar Cookie Recipe here.  

Where to buy meringue powder

You can find meringue powder at craft stores, baking supply stores, or on Amazon. Since it has a long shelf life, I like to stock up and buy the big containers so I always have some when I need it.

​What tools do I need to decorate cookies with royal icing?

To make and decorate cookies with royal icing, you'll need a few essential tools.

• Stand mixer with a whip attachment or a hand mixer
• Piping bag or pastry bag- for outlining the cookies with stiffer consistency icing.
• Squeeze bottles- for flooding cookies with a thinner consistency icing
• Small piping tips for detailed work- I like Wilton #1, #3, and #5
• Damp paper towel- to keep your freshly mixed icing from crusting over.
• Plastic wrap- to make an airtight seal for batches of icing
• Drying rack or parchment paper- for allowing your cookies to set and dry
• Spray bottle with water- for easy clean up and removing dried bits of icing.

How to make royal icing with meringue powder

It's so simple to make royal icing with meringue powder. Three basic ingredients and a stand mixer or hand mixer are all you need. The trickiest part is getting the right consistency of the icing. I like to start by mixing a thick icing and then add a little water to adjust it as needed.

Best royal icing recipe

This recipe is for a thick consistency like you'll need for outlining cookies, assembling gingerbread houses, or decorating gingerbread cookies.

• 4 cups confectioner's sugar
• 4 tablespoons meringue powder
• 7-9 tablespoon warm water
• 2 Tbsp. corn syrup (optional- this gives the finished icing a softer bite)

How to make a royal icing recipe with meringue powder

In a large bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of meringue powder and ¼ cup of water. Mix until it gets frothy and bubbly. Add 4 cups of confectioner's sugar and 2 tablespoon of corn syrup and mix on low speed until the ingredients are well combined.

Adjust for consistency

To create different consistencies for your icing, you can add a little bit more water for a thinner icing or more powdered sugar for a thicker icing. Make sure to mix well after each adjustment until you achieve the desired consistency. This recipe makes a stiff consistency so that you can adjust as needed.

Use a stiff consistency for outlining

Outlining the edges of your sugar cookies with stiff icing helps create a barrier to contain the flood icing and gives your design a defined shape. You can use different colors for outlining, depending on your design.

Use a thinner icing for flooding the cookies

Switch to a squeeze bottle or a piping bag with a larger round tip (e.g., Wilton #3 or #4) filled with the thinner flood icing. Start by gently squeezing the flood icing within the outlined shape. Allow the flood icing to flow and fill the outlined area. Use a toothpick or a small offset spatula to help spread the icing evenly and into the corners if needed. Be careful not to overfill to avoid spilling over the edges.

How to make royal icing taste good

To make royal icing taste delicious and add a delightful flavor to your cookies, you can use a variety of flavorings, extracts, and emulsions. Here's how to do it, along with a list of sources and for high-quality flavorings:

Enhancing the Flavor of Royal Icing:

1. Vanilla Extract: Adding pure vanilla extract to your royal icing is a classic and simple way to impart a sweet, warm, and inviting flavor. Start with a teaspoon and adjust to taste.
2. Almond Extract: Almond extract gives a subtle nutty flavor to your royal icing. Use it sparingly, as it can be quite potent. A few drops are usually enough for a delightful almond twist.
3. Flavored Emulsions: Flavored emulsions, such as those from LORANN oils, are concentrated and water-based flavorings that are perfect for royal icing. They come in a wide range of flavors, from fruit to bakery flavors like buttercream and cheesecake. Just a few drops can make a significant difference in taste.

Sources for Flavorings:

• LorAnn Oils: I've been using LorAnn as my trusted source for high-quality flavorings for years. They offer a wide variety of flavors to choose from, so you'll be sure to find the perfect match for your cookies. You can explore their selection on their website:LorAnn
• Local Grocery Stores: Many local grocery stores carry a selection of extracts and flavorings, making it convenient to pick up essentials like vanilla and almond extract.
• Online Retailers: Websites like Amazon and specialty baking supply stores online also offer a wide range of flavoring options, including unique and gourmet flavors.

By adding flavorings to your royal icing, you can transform it from simple to delicious! ( Remember to start with a small amount of flavoring and adjust to your taste preferences.)

My favorite choices for coloring royal icing

To achieve those vibrant colors for your sugar cookies and gingerbread houses, add gel food coloring in small amounts. Remember, a little goes a long way. Mix until you get the right color intensity.

My top choices for gel food coloring brands are Wilton and Americolor. These brands offer a wide range of colors that are highly concentrated, providing vivid and consistent results. Adding a few drops of these high-quality gel colors to your royal icing will help you achieve the perfect shades for your cookie designs. Check out the variety packs of colors here: Wilton Gel Food Colors on Amazon and Americolor Gel Food Colors 

Coloring your royal icing is a fun and creative part of cookie decorating, and it allows you to bring your sweet creations to life with vibrant hues.

How to get a glossy finish on frosted sugar cookies

Achieving a glossy finish on dried frosted sugar cookies can elevate the overall appearance and make your creations look even more enticing. Here are some tips to help you achieve that desirable glossy finish:

Use a Consistent Royal Icing Recipe:

Start with a well-balanced royal icing recipe like this one that provides a smooth and glossy texture when it dries. Make sure your icing has the right consistency, not too thin or too thick, to ensure a glossy finish.

Flood Icing Smoothly

When applying flood icing, make sure it's spread evenly within the outlined areas. This helps create a uniform surface that dries to a glossy sheen. Use a toothpick or small offset spatula to assist in spreading and removing any air bubbles.

Avoid Overmixing

Be careful not to overmix your royal icing, as this can introduce air bubbles that may cause a matte finish. Mix your icing until it reaches the desired consistency but avoid excessive beating.

 Drying Environment

Allow your decorated cookies to dry in a clean, dry, and dust-free environment. Avoid drying them in humid conditions, as high humidity can cause the icing to take longer to set and may affect the glossy finish.

Drying Time

Give your decorated cookies ample time to dry completely. Depending on the thickness of the icing and humidity levels, this may take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours or more. Patience is key for achieving a glossy finish.

Use a Fan

If you want to speed up the drying process and enhance the glossiness, you can place your cookies in front of a fan. The gentle airflow helps the icing set faster and can result in a shinier surface.

Polish with Light Corn Syrup

If your cookies have dried with a matte finish, you can lightly brush them with a mixture of clear light corn syrup and a small amount of water. This will give them a shiny appearance without altering the flavor significantly.

By following these tips and allowing your decorated cookies to dry properly in an ideal environment, you can achieve a glossy finish that makes your sugar cookies look as wonderful as they taste.

This easy royal icing recipe is perfect for decorating gingerbread houses and gingerbread men and women. You can find my downloadable gingerbread house template and gingerbread recipe here. You can also find my no-chill rolled sugar cookies here.

Frequently asked questions about icing sugar cookies

Why do I need to use room temperature in royal icing?

 Room temperature icing has a better consistency for icing cookies.

Which is better for making royal icing, an electric mixer, or a stand mixer with a paddle?

Both work well, but for making royal icing, a stand mixer with a paddle attachment is better. The paddle helps prevent too much air from getting into the icing, helping to get a smooth and consistent texture.

How much water should I add for perfect consistency?

Start with a little and add more if needed. You can check for consistency by performing a figure 8 test. When you draw the number 8 across the surface of the mixed icing, it should hold its shape for 2 seconds. 

What's the perfect consistency for cookie decorators?

  It should be thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough for easy piping.

How do I store leftover royal icing?

  Cover it with plastic wrap to prevent drying and store it in an airtight container.

How can I achieve flood consistency?

 Add a few drops of water at a time until it reaches a flowy consistency.

Any tips for icing colors?

 Use gel colors like these AmeriColor soft gel paste colors. Start with a little bit, you can always add more for a deeper hue.

What's the best way to get the icing into the squeeze bottles?

Use a coffee cup to hold open a sandwich bag and fill the bag with icing. Cut the tip of the bag and squeeze the icing into your squeeze bottle. 

How does meringue powder royal icing affect the taste of sugar cookies?

Some people say it has a pleasant taste, but if you want to add flavorings you can. Look for baker emulsions instead of oil-based flavors. 

Easy Royal Icing Recipe Using Meringue Powder

With this easy royal icing recipe using meringue powder, you'll be able to create stunning sugar cookies and gingerbread houses with the right consistency of icing. Now, you can enjoy cookie decorating without the worry of raw eggs or struggling with the perfect icing.

If you're ready to make and decorate sugar cookies, be sure and check out this Easy No-Chill Sugar Cookie Recipe and my favorite baking pans for cookies here. 

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