Royal Icing Tips to Elevate Your Cookie-Decorating Skills

At Icing Smiles, we’re well-known for our incredible Sugar Angels who create beautiful cakes for children and families in need. However, did you know that we also have a Cookie Club, too? 

We’re thrilled to have been part of CookieCon and the Jersey Shore Cake & Cookie Convention. These sweet events brought together Sugar Angels from near and far and we’re excited to keep growing our network. We received so many inquiries for baking with us and spreading our passion for creating smiles!

Whether you’re a seasoned cookie decorator with years of experience in our Cookie Club or just starting to explore the world of baking and decorating, there’s always room for improvement and innovation when it comes to working with royal icing. Royal icing is the secret weapon of cookie decorators everywhere, and mastering its techniques can take your creations to the next level. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some invaluable royal icing tips that cater to decorators of all levels.

The Magic of Royal Icing

Known for its smooth finish and the ability to harden to a beautifully glossy surface, royal icing is the secret weapon of cookie decorators everywhere. It’s a versatile icing made from powdered sugar, egg whites, and flavorings. This icing allows you to create intricate designs, flood cookies with vibrant colors, and add dimension to your sweet masterpieces.

Consistency is Key

Achieving the right royal icing consistency for your project is vital, and it often involves adjusting the thickness of your icing to suit different tasks.

• Stiff Consistency: Use a thick and sturdy icing for creating intricate details like flowers, lace, or lettering. To achieve this, add less water to your icing.
• Medium Consistency: This is your go-to for outlining and flooding cookies, ensuring smooth and even surfaces. To achieve medium consistency, add a bit more water to your stiff icing.
• Flood Consistency: A thinner icing that flows easily, perfect for flooding outlined areas of cookies. This creates a smooth and glossy finish. To achieve this, add more water to your medium consistency icing.

Mastering the Piping Bag

Learning how to handle a piping bag is an essential skill for cookie decorators.

• Hold the bag correctly: Firmly grip the piping bag near the tip, using your other hand to guide and control the pressure. Practice steady pressure for consistent lines and shapes.
• Practice makes perfect: Don’t be discouraged by initial imperfections. Cookie decorators at all skill levels continue to refine their piping skills over time. Keep practicing, and you’ll see improvement.
• Invest in quality tips: Quality piping tips can make a world of difference. Start with basics like round and star tips and gradually add specialty tips to your collection to expand your decorating possibilities.

Royal Icing Drying Techniques

Proper drying techniques are essential for preventing smudging and maintaining the integrity of your designs.

• Use a dehydrator: A food dehydrator can speed up the drying process. Set it to a low temperature and place your cookies inside, ensuring even icing setting.
• Create a drying rack: If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use a wire rack to allow proper airflow while your cookies dry.
• Patience is key: Allow your cookies to dry completely before stacking or packaging them. Waiting a little longer is better than risking damage to your hard work.

Packaging and Shipping Cookies

All Icing Smiles Cookie Club cookies are shipped. Here are some valuable tips to ensure your cookies arrive in perfect condition.

This requires careful attention to ensure they arrive fresh and intact. Begin by selecting a sturdy and airtight container, such as a plastic food storage container or a tin, to prevent breakage and maintain freshness. Line the container with parchment paper or wax paper to create a protective layer between the cookies. Arrange the cookies in a single layer, leaving some space between them to avoid sticking. 

Seal the container tightly, and then place it in a larger shipping box padded with bubble wrap or packing peanuts to prevent movement during transit. For added protection, consider individually wrapping cookies in plastic wrap or cellophane before placing them in the container. 

Finally, choose a reliable shipping service that offers quick delivery and package tracking, and be sure to label the package as “Fragile” to alert handlers to its delicate contents. With these steps, your cookies should reach their destination in perfect condition and ready to be enjoyed!

Experiment and Have Fun

Above all, remember that cookie decorating is an art form, and there are no strict rules. Try different techniques, colors, and designs to discover your unique style. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun in the process.

Join the Cookie Club

Do you want to bake a difference? We always love having new cookie Sugar Angels. Join the club today!