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+ servings
A cookie decorated in a christmas theme with royal icing.
5 stars (1 rating)

Emergency Royal Icing (No Meringue Powder)

Need to decorate cookies ASAP but don't have meringue powder? This easy and quick royal icing recipe will come to your rescue. Made with egg whites from a carton along with powdered sugar, this royal icing is made in about 5 minutes. It dries hard, can be turned into any color, and is perfect to flood or outline these quick cut out sugar cookies. No need to run to a specialty store, you can easily make these cookies in no time!

Ingredients

  • 3 egg whites, from a carton (2 tbsp= 1 egg white)
  • 1 lb powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  • water, as needed

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, add the 3 egg whites (or 6 tbsp egg whites) from a carton. Whip on low-medium speed for 2 minutes until slightly foamy.
  • When the egg whites start to foam up, switch to med-high speed and slowly start pouring in the powdered sugar. This can take up to 90 seconds. Don't go to fast or the whites could collapse.
  • When all the sugar is mixed in, add the 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp cream of tartar and mix.
  • Bring the mixture up to high speed for 1-2 minutes until peaks start to form and the mixture is very glossy.

Consistency

  • At this point the consistency is great for outlining. Separate what you need to outline the cookies. You can also use this to flood but it will just be a slower flood. See noted below for further details.
  • To make the icing thinner for a faster flood consistency, add 1 tsp water until you get to the desired consistency.

Notes

If you drag a knife through the icing and it comes back together without any evidence of a line left within 15-20 seconds its perfect for outlining.
To thin, add 1 tsp water at a time and mix. If you drag the knife through again and it comes back together within 8-10 seconds its great for flooding. 
Use this icing on top of no chill sugar cookies!
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 46kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 0.2g, Fat: 0.004g, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 10mg, Sugar: 11g, Calcium: 0.3mg, Iron: 0.01mg
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