Royal icing

In the early 1800s, royal icing was used to decorate the grandest of cakes, such as those made for royalty. The first recorded recipe for royal icing was published in 1817, and it called for just three ingredients: egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar. This recipe was used to decorate the elaborate cakes of the Victorian era, which were often adorned with intricate piping and sugar work.

As the years passed, royal icing recipes began to include additional ingredients such as flavoring extracts and colorants. Today, there are many different recipes for royal icing, each with its own unique flavor and consistency. Whether you prefer your royal icing to be light and airy or stiff and decorating, there's a recipe out there for you.

One of the most popular royal icing recipes is the one used by the British company Marks & Spencer. This recipe uses just four ingredients: egg whites, sugar, glycerin, and flavoring. The resulting icing is light and fluffy, making it perfect for piping and decorating.

Advice

When making royal icing, it's important to start with a stiff consistency so it can hold its shape. Beat the icing until peaks form, but be careful not to overbeat it or it will become too runny. Make sure to use a fine-mesh sieve to sift any lumps out of the icing before using it. Add a few drops of liquid at a time to thin the icing if needed. You can also add a few drops of food coloring to give your icing a nice color. Lastly, make sure to keep your bowl and utensils that you use to make the icing clean, as any grease or water can affect the texture of the icing.

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Recipes

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Royal Icing

  • food coloring
  • tartar cream
  • salt
  • egg white
  • confectioners sugar
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Royal Icing

  • lemon juice
  • liquid egg white
  • powdered sugar
  • food coloring
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Royal Icing

  • meringue powder
  • powdered sugar
  • water
  • gel coloring
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Royal Icing

  • water
  • confectioners sugar
  • lemon juice
  • egg white
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Royal Icing

  • powdered sugar
  • egg white
  • tartar cream
  • flavorings like almond
  • food coloring
  • water

Ingredient Breakdown

 
water
egg white
powdered sugar
confectioners sugar
tartar cream
meringue powder
food coloring
salt
lemon juice
vanilla extract
liquid egg white
pasteurized egg white
gel paste coloring
heavy cream
silver rum
clear vanilla extract
gel coloring
confectioner' sugar
flavorings like almond

Insights