Beginner’s Guide to Royal Icing: Tips, Tricks & Everything You Need to Know
Hey ya'll hey!
If you’ve ever seen those gorgeous, glossy sugar cookies on Instagram and wondered how the heck people make them look so perfect—royal icing is the secret sauce. Whether you’re brand new to cookie decorating or just need a refresher, I’ve got you covered.
Royal icing can feel intimidating at first, but once you understand the basics (and get a little practice in), it’ll become your new favorite thing. And the best part? You don’t need a ton of fancy equipment to get started!
So, what is royal icing?
Royal icing is a smooth, versatile icing made with powdered sugar, meringue powder (or egg whites), and water. It dries firm and shiny, which makes it *perfect* for decorating sugar cookies, especially if you want to add details, layers, or even stack them for packaging.
The 3 Consistencies You Need to Know:
1. Stiff Consistency
This is thick and holds its shape—ideal for piping flowers, leaves, or any 3D decorations. You’ll know it’s stiff when a spoon stands straight up in the bowl.
2. Piping Consistency
Think toothpaste. This is perfect for outlining shapes, adding borders, or writing words. It holds a shape but still flows a little.
3. Flood Consistency
This one is smooth and thin—great for filling in cookies. It spreads nicely and gives that flawless finish once it dries. I like to use a 10-15 second rule here: drag a knife through your icing and count how long it takes to settle flat. Around 10–15 seconds is usually just right.
Watch Me Break It Down Step-by-Step 🎥
If you want to see exactly how I mix each consistency and how I use them when decorating, check out my YouTube video below. I walk you through it all—no gatekeeping here! 😉
Erica’s Quick Tips:
- Always cover your icing with plastic wrap or a damp towel—it dries fast.
- Use gel food coloring (not liquid) to avoid messing with the consistency.
- Don’t stress over bubbles—let your icing sit for a few minutes before using, and gently stir to release air.
Want to practice with me in person?
Come join one of my monthly cookie decorating classes in Carlsbad, CA! I teach everything from how to mix your icing to how to flood and detail like a pro—and you’ll leave with a box of beautifully decorated cookies and a whole new set of skills.
🗓️ [Browse Upcoming Classes](https://cookiedecoratingclasses.com/collections/all-classes)
🎓 [Book a Private 1-on-1 Session](https://cookiedecoratingclasses.com/products/one-on-one-private-lessons)
Got questions about royal icing or cookie decorating in general? Drop them in the comments or shoot me a message—I love helping you grow your cookie skills!