How To Make Red Royal Icing

When you want to decorate sugar cookies with a real red frosting that hardens, this recipe will show you how to make red royal icing that is really red (not pink!).

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Resting Time 2

Total Time 2 15

Servings cups

Calories 500kcal

Author Wanda Simone

Equipment

sifter
stand mixer with a whisk attachment and a mixing bowl
Spatula
mixing spoon or knife

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Sift 4 cups of icing sugar into the mixer.
4 cups icing sugar
Add 3 Tablespoons meringue powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ½ cup WARM water.
3 Tablespoons meringue powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ 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.
1 teaspoon AmeriColor Red Red or Super Red gel 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.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap that is touching the surface of the icing (to keep it from drying out.) Then let it sit for a couple of hours to allow the color to darken. If it still isn't dark enough, you can add a little more food coloring.

Notes

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.

Nutrition