Royal Icing

Description

Royal Icing from the Wikibooks Cookbook—original source of recipe, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License

• Cook Time: Just a few minutes

Ingredients

• 2 large egg whites
• ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2½ cups confectioners' sugar
• liquid or paste food coloring

Directions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on low until they become loose, about 1 minute.
2. Add the cream of tartar and continue mixing on low until the whites become frothy, about 2 minutes.
3. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar with the mixer on low.
4. Continue to mix until the icing holds a stiff peak and is dull in appearance, about 2 minutes. The icing is ready to use for piping lines.

Flooding (filling in an icing outline)

• Add a small amount of water to the frosting and mix until the icing reaches a looser consistency.

Notes, Tips and Variations

• If desired, divide the icing among smaller bowls and add coloring(s).
• To store icing for later use:

1. Clean the inner sides of the bowl or container to remove any drips.
2. Place a dampened paper towel directly on the surface of the icing and then cover the bowl very tightly with plastic wrap.
3. Refrigerate up to 5 days.