Royal icing is the icing of choice for many cake decorators and cookie artists - it's versatile, easy to work with, and looks stunning. But how do you make royal icing? And what are the best egg whites to use? This blog will answer all of these questions and more, as well as share tips on how to make brilliant white icing that consistency is perfect for flooding royal icing. Not a baker? No problem! This blog also has information on how to pipe royal icing along with some basic decorating ideas for any of your biscuit gifts. So start making cookies and biscuits the royal icing way today! 

 

Want to make cookies so pretty they could be in a bakery? Royal icing is your answer! 

Need some tips on how to make royal icing? Don't worry, we've got you covered! Royal icing is a classic decoration that can be used to make cookies look elegant and pretty. It's easy to make, so follow these simple steps and you'll have perfect icing in no time at all. There are many flavours of royal icing available, so you can customise your cookies to suit your taste. Additionally, royal icing is a great way to add a little extra pizzazz to your cookies. So, what are you waiting for? Get started and start making cookies that look like they could be in a bakery! 

 

What Is Royal Icing? 

Egg whites, powdered sugar, and some flavour and colour are used to make royal icing, which is a decorative hard white icing. This delicious and popular icing is easy to make and can be used for a variety of purposes, like biscuit art, cake decorating, cupcake frosting, and more. In this blog post, we'll teach you how to make royal icing using a recipe that is easy to follow. Once you know the basics, you're ready to start creating stunning designs that will wow your friends and family. Make sure to have all the ingredients and kitchen tools ready before getting started, as royal icing is a relatively easy recipe to follow. Let royal icing be your go-to cake decorating option this season! 

 

Needed ingredients for making royal icing 

To make royal icing, you will need a few basic ingredients. Some of these include sugar, egg whites, and water. While all the ingredients are common in most baking recipes, having them ready and at hand can speed up the process of making royal icing significantly. However, our recipe simply uses egg whites and icing sugar as we’ve found it to be the best!

What About Egg White Powder or Meringue Powder? 

Making royal icing can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, but there are a few alternatives that can make the job a lot easier. Egg white powder or meringue powder are the best options for those who are looking for a faster and easier way to make royal icing. Both powders

work well for frosting cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts. They are also easy to make and require minimal ingredients. So, if you're looking for a less laborious way to ice your biscuits and cupcakes, these powders are a perfect choice.

That said, they’re not the best choice! If you can, always use fresh egg whites. You’ll end up with a much better icing.

How to Make Brilliant Royal Icing - White or Coloured 

Royal icing is the perfect finishing touch for any cake. It's easy to make and can be shaped into intricate designs in minutes. Not to mention, it's one of the most popular cake decorations out there. Make sure to store it properly so that it lasts a long time - weeks, even! Happy icing-ing! 

• Start by separating you egg whites, from the yolk
• Whisk these for a little while until slightly frothy, but still clear in colour 
• Add in your icing sugar, until you get your desired consistency! 
• We use a 10 second consistency for any flood work, and a toothpaste like consistency for writing and decorative work
• Use a glass or cup, to put your piping bag in and transfer the icing in to the piping bag
• We decorate all of our biscuits, with a tipless piping bag, but you can choose any nozzle that you wish! 
• Allow icing to dry for 6-8 hours, before adding any decorations!

Recipe:

• 4 x egg white 
• 500g Icing sugar 
• Flavoring of your choice - Lemon, vanilla extract etc

 

Artificial vs. Natural Colourants 

One of the biggest factors to consider when making royal icing is the type of food colouring that you use. Artificial colours are made from chemicals and are not as healthy as natural colourants, such as extracts and dyes. If you choose to use artificial colours, be sure to read the packaging carefully so that you know how much dye is in each tablespoon. Also, avoid using coloured Royal Icing on delicate foods such as chocolates - it will fade them rapidly! 

 

Equipment Needed for Royal Icing 

-Piping bags and piping nozzle of your choice 

-Whisk or stand mixer

 

Piping vs. Flooding Royal Icing 

Royal icing is a hallmark of many weddings, and for good reason - it's gorgeous and easy to do. Flooding is easier than piping, but it can be tricky to control the flood pattern. For the best results, pipe a border around your biscuits before filling in any details with flooding icing. To pipe royal icing, pipe small dots and then flood the areas between them.

The Best Consistency for Piping Royal Icing 

Making royal icing is a skill that requires a lot of precision and consistency. Follow these easy tips to make the job a breeze: 

1. Make sure the surface you're icing is cool before you start - this will help prevent cracking and shrinkage. 
2. The best consistency for flooding royal icing is as thin as possible without being runny. 
3. Use a toothpick, scribe or other tool to smooth any bumps, peaks and bubbles in your icing. 

Royal icing is a beautiful decoration, and these easy tips will help you produce the best frosting possible. 

Happy piping! 

 

The Best Consistency for Flooding Personalised Biscuits

The best consistency for flooding biscuits is a 10 second consistency. This is where, the icing takes 10 seconds to settle back in to itself, with a smooth glossy finish, this allowed you time to work with the icing, and to get a perfect smooth finish

How to Pipe Royal Icing on your Customised Biscuits

1. Mix up the royal icing as previously directed.
2. You can add any food colouring you like if you want to achieve a particular colour.
3. Pipe royal icing using a piping bag with a fine writing tube for better results.
4. Start piping by clamping the piping bag between your finger and thumb with the pressure of your palm.
5. Anchor the icing on a point of your biscuit by lifting your hand and with even pressure, guide the icing into the shape - you shouldn't need to touch the biscuits.
6. Pipe the outlines of your biscuits and allow them to set.
7. Once the outlines have been piped, add some water to the royal icing in the piping bag until it is the consistency of thick cream.
8. You can flood the biscuit by using this if you wish. By flooding the biscuit and tapping it lightly, you will ensure that the icing is evenly distributed on the biscuit.
9. It is important to wait until the bottom layer of icing has dried before piping extra patterns or colours onto it.

How to Flood With Royal Icing 

Using your 10 second consistency, start by outlining the shape, allow it to dry for a few seconds, before flooding the rest of the biscuit, you can even open your piping bag up a little more, to allow the icing to flow out more easily. Once you have flooded your biscuit, use your scribe tool to even and smooth out the icing, and pop any unwanted air bubbles.

 

What can I put Royal Icing On? 

Royal icing can be used on just about anything! Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

Cupcakes - Add edible gold details and royal icing accents for a festive look. Table runner - Make a festive table runner using royal icing and pipeons. 

Christmas tree topper - Create an awe-inspiring cake topper out of fondant or polystyrene beads with Royal Icing. 

Fondant / Polystyrene Bead Cake Topper - Make an impressive cake topper using Royal Icing and your favourite decorative materials! 

Wedding Favour Biscuits - Impress the Bride and Groom with amazing table settings pieces!

Hen Do Favours - Have the Hen party's feathers ruffled with thoughtful personalised biscuits. 

Birthday Biscuits - Surprise someone on their special day with a personalised cookie. 

Biscuit Gifts - Not sure what to buy a friend or relative? Why not bake and decorate some personalised cookies to help them celebrate their day? 

Conclusion 

Royal icing is the perfect icing for cookies - not to mention, it can be used for a wide variety of decorations! In this blog, we taught you everything you need to know about royal icing, from the basics of how it is made to more advanced techniques. Don't fancy giving it a go but want an amazing personalised cookie? Then come and choose what you want and we'll provide you with a letterbox biscuits service.