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The Ultimate Hard-Drying Royal Icing for Sugar Cookies (Smooth & Glossy Finish)

Star-shaped sugar cookies topped with bright pink icing that hardens and white sugar sprinkles.
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Follow this recipe to create a smooth, glossy royal icing that dries completely hard, making your decorated sugar cookies perfect for stacking and gifting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 4 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 6 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder.
  2. Add the warm water gradually while mixing on low speed with an electric mixer.
  3. Once the ingredients are combined, increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 5 to 7 minutes until the icing is very stiff, bright white, and holds firm peaks.
  4. If using, mix in the vanilla extract.
  5. To achieve a smooth, piping consistency (for outlining), add 1 teaspoon of water at a time until the icing flows slowly off the beater.
  6. To achieve a flooding consistency (for filling in areas), add 1 teaspoon of water at a time until the icing flows easily and disappears back into the bowl surface within 10 to 12 seconds when drizzled.
  7. Divide the icing into bowls for coloring, if desired. Add gel food coloring slowly, mixing until the color is uniform.
  8. Use the icing immediately for outlining and flooding your cooled sugar cookies.
  9. Allow the cookies to dry uncovered at room temperature for at least 6 to 8 hours, or preferably overnight, until the icing is completely hard to the touch.

Notes

  • Always use gel or paste food coloring; liquid colors can thin the icing too much.
  • If the icing becomes too thick while working, stir in water, half a teaspoon at a time.
  • Store unused icing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days; do not refrigerate.
  • For the hardest finish, avoid using butter or milk in your icing base.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://afripaket.com/sugar-cookie-icing-that-hardens/