Perfect Royal Icing

• Vegetarian
• Gluten free

• Refrigerated

  • 1/4 cup 2 1/2 ounces egg whites

• Baking & Spices

  • 4 1/2 cups 18 ounces organic powdered sugar, organic
  • 1/4 tsp Cream of tartar
  • 1/2 tsp Diamond crystal kosher salt
  • 1 Gel-paste food coloring
  • 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

• Dairy

  • 3 tbsp 1 1/2 ounces heavy cream

• Liquids

  • 2 tsp Silver rum or water

Found on seriouseats.com

Description

Ingredients

• 18 ounces organic powdered sugar (4 1/2 cups; 510g), divided, plus more if needed (see note above)
• 2 1/2 ounces egg whites (1/4 cup; 70g), from 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons (10ml) silver rum or water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7ml) vanilla extract (see note above)
• 1/2 teaspoon (2g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume or use the same weight
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 1/2 ounces heavy cream (3 tablespoons; 40g), plus more if needed (optional; for thinning royal icing, if desired)
• Gel paste food coloring, optional

Directions

• 1. To Make the Icing: Measure 16 ounces of powdered sugar (4 cups; 450g) and place in the bowl of a stand mixer, then add egg whites, rum, vanilla, salt, and cream of tartar. Stir with a flexible spatula to form a smooth paste, then set over a gently simmering water bath in a 3-quart saucier and stir until paste is hot to the touch, or about 150°F (66°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Transfer to stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add remaining 2 ounces powdered sugar (1/2 cup; 60g), and mix at low speed to combine. Increase speed to medium and beat until thick and frosting-like, about 20 seconds or until the mixing bowl feels cool to the touch. Use immediately as a thick frosting or to make chunky decorations, like the buttons on a gingerbread man or little rosettes on a cake; color, if desired, according to instructions in step 3. For a thinner royal icing, used to make an even glaze for the tops of cookies, or to attempt a more ambitious, elegant design, thin according to instructions in step 2. 2. To Thin the Icing: Reduce speed to low, add cream, and continue mixing until smooth. Remove bowl from mixer and lift paddle attachment, moving it in a figure 8 pattern as icing streams back into bowl. If the figure 8 disappears in exactly 8 seconds, the icing is ready to use as a cookie glaze. If it melts away faster, thicken by adding a spoonful of powdered sugar. If it takes longer than 8 seconds to disappear, thin by adding a few drops of cream. Repeat this test, making adjustments as you go, until the figure 8 takes exactly 8 seconds to disappear. 3. To Color the Icing, if Desired: Divide icing among several small bowls, one for each color youd like to prepare. Cover each with plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface. Working with one bowl at a time, stir in a few drops of gel paste. When your desired color has been achieved, immediately transfer to a disposable pastry bag fitted with a #3 pastry tip, or a parchment cone. (For ease of use, I like to stand the bag/cone upright in a small drinking glass.) 4. To Glaze the Tops of Sugar Cookies: Leaving a 1/8- to 1/4-inch margin (or more, depending on size of cookies), outline baked and fully cooled Rolled Sugar Cookie Cutouts with royal icing, then roughly drizzle the interiors with more icing, using the piping tip to nudge it into an even layer. Work quickly if topping with sprinkles or a secondary icing color, as royal icing will form a crust within 90 seconds. If youd like to read more on the basics of decorating, check out my Royal Icing Tutorial for lots of photos, videos, and ideas. For cookies to keep around the house, allow royal icing to air-dry until firm, about 4 hours. For cookies to package and ship, allow royal icing to dry until hardened through and through, about 6 to 8 hours more.