The Best Royal Icing for Decorating Sugar Cookies
This is the best royal icing for decorating sugar cookies. It’s smooth, easy to work with, perfect for outlining and flooding, and dries hard with a beautiful finish—ideal for beginners and experienced decorators alike.
- Prep Time: 10 MINS
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: APPROX 24 COOKIES 1x
- Category: DESSERT | ICING
- Cuisine: AMERICAN
Ingredients
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16 oz powdered sugar (about half a 32 oz bag)
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3 tablespoons meringue powder
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1 teaspoon corn syrup
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5–8 tablespoons warm water (adjust for consistency)
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Gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar and meringue powder.
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Add corn syrup and 5 tablespoons of warm water. Stir until smooth and lump-free.
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Adjust consistency by adding more water, one teaspoon at a time, until desired thickness is reached.
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For outlining, keep icing thicker so it holds its shape.
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For flooding, thin icing slightly until it flows smoothly and settles flat.
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Divide icing into bowls and tint with gel food coloring if desired.
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Use immediately or cover tightly until ready to decorate cookies.
Notes
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Use gel food coloring to avoid thinning the icing.
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Cover icing with plastic wrap touching the surface to prevent crusting.
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Let decorated cookies dry completely (4–8 hours or overnight) before stacking.