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Royal Icing

3.8

(12)

Image may contain Icing Food Creme Dessert Cake Cream and Egg

Royal icing is a pure-white, sticky icing that dries to a hard finish. Royal icing is used for delicate piping on cookies and gingerbread houses. Its  bright white hue makes it a good option for tinting whatever color you like. 

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 2 cups

Ingredients

3¼ cups powdered sugar, sifted, plus more if needed
2 large egg whites
1 tsp. strained fresh lemon juice
Assorted food colorings (optional)

Preparation

  1. Using electric mixer, beat 3¼ cups powdered sugar and egg whites until thick and shiny, adding more powdered sugar by tablespoonfuls if mixture is too thin to spread, about 3 minutes. Add lemon juice. Divide icing into portions, if desired, and add different food coloring to each. Cover until ready to use.

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