March 2001: Royal Icing

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup meringue powder
3 1/2 cups icing sugar
1/3 cup water

Description

Royal Icing is a very hard icing, it is used for creating flowers and for covering fruitcakes and styrofoam wedding cakes. You need to use a good electric mixer because it needs to be beaten at high speeds. This icing should be made not more than 1 hour before using. It doesn't keep well and should be used as soon as possible. When working with royal icing you must keep the lid on the container or cover the open container with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying too soon.

Step One
Place the icing sugar and the meringue powder in a mixing bowl.

Step Two
Turn mixer on at low speed, add water very slowly, (depending on measuring accuracy, you may not need all the water) increase speed.

Step Three
Increase speed to high, beat at high speed for 3-5 minutes. Time will vary depending on mixer efficiency. The goal is to have a stiff mixture, one which will hold a stiff upright peak.

Step Four
Place icing into a grease free container with a tight lid.

Good Luck !