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Glossy Royal Icing That Hardens Firmly for Sugar Cookies

Close-up of a flower-shaped sugar cookie with vibrant blue, hardened sugar cookie icing decorated with floral details.
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Make bakery-style sugar cookie icing that hardens completely for durable, stackable decorations. This easy royal icing recipe dries smooth and glossy, perfect for gifting and holiday treats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 6 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon light corn syrup (optional, for extra shine)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder.
  2. Add the warm water and clear vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
  3. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  4. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 5 to 7 minutes until the icing is very thick, smooth, and holds stiff peaks. This whipping action incorporates air, which helps it dry hard.
  5. Check the consistency. For outlining, the icing should be very stiff. For flooding (covering the cookie surface), add water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, until the icing flows slowly off the whisk in a thick ribbon that disappears back into the bowl after counting to ten (this is the 10-second rule consistency).
  6. Color the icing using gel food coloring, mixing thoroughly.
  7. Use the icing immediately to outline and flood your cut-out sugar cookies.
  8. Allow the cookies to dry uncovered at room temperature for 8 to 24 hours until the icing is completely hard to the touch. Do not refrigerate while drying.

Notes

  • For a bright white icing, use clear vanilla extract instead of standard brown vanilla extract.
  • If your icing is too thin for flooding, add more sifted powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time.
  • If the icing becomes too thick while decorating, thin it with a few drops of water.
  • This icing sets hard enough for stacking and gifting once fully dry.

Nutrition

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