Wilton Royal Icing
Whip up perfectly smooth and glossy Wilton Royal Icing with this simple, no-fail recipe that’s ideal for cookie decorating, intricate piping, and creating stunning designs on cakes. Made with just four primary ingredients—confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, warm water, and a splash of vanilla extract—this frosting is quick to prepare in just 15 minutes. The key to its signature stiff peaks is a thorough beating, ensuring flawless consistency for outlining, flooding, or adding delicate details. Customize your icing with vibrant shades using gel food coloring for a professional finish. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a DIY enthusiast, this versatile royal icing recipe is a must-have for any decorating project. Plus, it hardens beautifully, making your creations easy to stack or gift.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups Confectioners' sugar
- 3 tablespoons Meringue powder
- 6 tablespoons Warm water
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the confectioners' sugar and meringue powder to remove any lumps.
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, place the dry mixture in the mixing bowl.
Gradually add the warm water and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients while mixing on low speed. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
Increase the speed to medium-high and beat the mixture for 7-10 minutes, or until the icing holds stiff peaks. The consistency should be smooth, shiny, and stiff enough to form firm peaks but still spreadable.
If the icing is too thick, add additional warm water, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is achieved. For outlining or flooding cookies, consider thinning the icing slightly with water for easier control.
If using gel food coloring, divide the icing into separate bowls and mix in a small amount of coloring until the desired shade is achieved. Be sure to use a toothpick or clean utensil to add coloring to avoid accidentally over-coloring.
Transfer the prepared royal icing to piping bags fitted with appropriate tips for decorating, or cover with a damp cloth if not using immediately to prevent drying.
Use the royal icing to decorate cookies, cakes, or other baked goods as desired. Allow the icing to fully dry and harden before stacking or packaging the decorated items, typically 4-6 hours or overnight.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
699 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 12 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 173.1 g | 63% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Total Sugars | 171.7 g | ||
| Protein | 0.6 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 10 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.2 mg | 1% | |
| Potassium | 14 mg | 0% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
