How To Make Red Royal Icing

When you need to decorate cookies with a real red, this red royal icing recipe is what you need.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Resting Time 2

Total Time 2 15

Servings cups

Author Wanda Simone

4 cups icing sugar
3 Tablespoons meringue powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup WARM water
AmeriColor Red Red or Super Red gel food coloring about 1/4 teaspoon per cup of icing

Sift 4 cups of icing sugar into the mixer.
Add 3 Tablespoons meringue powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 cup WARM water.
Mix on low speed until combined.
Increase the mixer speed to medium and mix for 3 to 5 minutes until the icing forms soft peaks.
Run a knife through the icing to test the consistency
It should take between 15 and 25 seconds for the gap to close. If it closes too quickly, beat it for a little while longer. If it closes too slowly, add a few drops of water and mix briefly.
Repeat the testing process until the icing is the right consistency.
If you are going to use the whole batch for red icing, add the red food coloring directly to your bowl. Otherwise, separate out the icing that you want to be red into another bowl.
Add in a small amount of red gel food coloring and mix it by hand. Using a knife to do the mixing makes it easier to clean off the food coloring.
If the color still looks pink, add a little more red gel and mix again. Repeat until it has reached a color that looks more red than pink.
The color will darken over time. If you're not sure the icing is red enough, cover it with plastic wrap that is touching the surface and let it sit for a couple of hours. Then check the color and mix in more food color if required.

Since it is very difficult to create two batches of icing with the exact same color, make sure you make enough of the red to do all of your cookie decorating.
The color will darken over time. To get a better idea of how red your icing will be, let it sit over night. Cover it with plastic wrap touching the surface of the icing to keep it from drying out.
Letting the icing sit for a few hours before using it will also allow any air bubbles to rise to the surface. This prevents craters from forming in the icing on your cookies.

How To Store Red Royal Icing

To store the icing, put it in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Then push down on the plastic so it is directly touching the icing and there are no air bubbles. It can be stored at room temperature this way for a few days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To freeze, put it into a Ziploc bag and push out all of the air before closing. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Bring it back to room temperature before using.
If it looks like it has separated when you go to use it, this is normal. Just stir it to re-combine the layers.