Description

This Bright White Royal Icing recipe provides a sturdy, glossy finish perfect for gingerbread houses and holiday decorating. It sets hard quickly, ensuring your edible creations stay intact and look spectacular.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups (480g) powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), essential base for structure and sweetness
3 tablespoons meringue powder, crucial for stability, quick drying, and food safety
6–8 tablespoons warm water, start with 6 and add gradually to achieve desired consistency
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, for a touch of classic flavor (use clear for brightest white)
0.25 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional), for extra stability
0.25 teaspoon lemon juice (optional), for brightness and a subtle tang

Instructions

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl (preferably a stand mixer bowl), whisk together the 4 cups of powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of meringue powder until thoroughly combined.
Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in 6 tablespoons of warm water and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. If using the optional cream of tartar or lemon juice for added stability or brightness, add them now.
Beat Until Stiff Peaks: Using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer (or a hand mixer), beat the mixture on medium-high speed for 5-7 minutes. Watch for the icing to become thick, glossy, and form stiff peaks; the icing should firmly hold its shape when beaters are lifted.
Adjust Consistency: For outlining and piping details, the icing should be thick enough to hold sharp lines. For flooding larger areas, add a few drops of water at a time, mixing until it flows smoothly but still holds a slight mound for a few seconds before disappearing.

Notes

For best flavor, opt for organic powdered sugar and pure vanilla extract. Ensure meringue powder is fresh for optimal results. While meringue powder is highly recommended for safety and ease, fresh egg whites can be used (with caution regarding raw eggs) following specific ratios. Sifting powdered sugar is highly recommended for a truly smooth icing. Use clear vanilla extract if you want the brightest white icing possible. The icing sets firm to the touch within 15-30 minutes, depending on humidity.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Decorating Icing
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon (15 g)
Calories: 60 calories
Sugar: 13 g
Sodium: 5 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: gingerbread house frosting, royal icing, bright white, holiday decorating, easy, sturdy, stiff peaks, no-bake