Most of you know how much I love baking, yet I tend to keep all my random bakery skills tucked away. Well, today I’m going to share one of my favorite decorating techniques. Royal icing cookies! You can make these for any occasion with themed cookie cutters or writing monograms. Once you know the basics you can decorate however you like!
I like to use shortbread cookies instead of sugar cookies. My favorite recipe is from San Francisco’s Tante Marie Cooking School. I split the recipe in half and am able to make about 20 cookies depending on shape and size.
The dough is a little crumbly, so you don’t roll it out. Simply pat down a portion of the dough and cut out with a cookie cutter.
Need cookie cutters? Michaels is a great option but also Sur La Table has tons of shapes.
Now royal icing isn’t a precise science. It’s more or less adding ingredients until the texture is correct. I don’t really follow a recipe, but I can provide a guideline.
Royal Icing
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 2 egg whites
First place the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a stand mixer (hand mixer is okay too). Turn on the mixer to med-high and slowly add egg whites, drop by drop.
Keep adding egg whites until the icing is smooth and fluid. It needs to be thin enough to spread around with a spoon, but thick enough to stay on the cookie and not drip off the sides. If it’s too thick add a little more egg white and if too thin, more powdered sugar. If it’s runny, it will run off your cookies!
Separate the royal icing into small bowls and add desired food coloring. Using a teaspoon, place a dollop of icing on your cookie. Push the icing to the edges with the tip of the spoon.
Once you have the base layer completed, allow to dry for 30 minutes or till it’s no longer wet to the touch. Fill small piping bags or ziplock bags (cut a small hole in the corner) and draw on your cookies!
Have fun with decorating your cookies. Draw, write, scribble whatever you like in your favorite colors!
Are you baking for the holiday this weekend or another special occasion Have questions about decorating cookies, cakes or other desserts? Share in the comments below!
