Royal Icing Recipe for Decorating Cookies

Comments

Katherine Foster - March 24, 2026

Hi there I am going to use your recipe for my nieces party coming up, how much does this make? I’m going to be decorating around 4 dozen cookies, will it be plenty or should I double it?
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The Cookie Countess replied:
It would really depend on the size of your cookies, as well as what you are planning to do with the icing (just flooding vs flooding and florals and piped designs, oh my). Assuming your four dozen cookies are 3.5”-4” and you will be flooding and then piping designs on top, I would probably double the recipe. And if you have any extra icing left over, you can always freeze it to have on hand for next time!

Debbie - March 5, 2026

If you add lemon to cut the sweetness does it have a lemon flavor or do the other ingredients cancel the lemon flavor out
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The Cookie Countess replied:
It does have a light lemon flavor. If you are adding different extracts (think almond or peppermint), you would want to leave the lemon juice out.

Erin - March 5, 2026

Oh gosh, I am so scared! I am about to make royal icing for a party of kids tomorrow and i’m filling the bags in advance (i dont have access to the mixer tomorrow) and feeling nervous about separation and water and all the rest.
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The Cookie Countess replied:
You will notice separation in pre-bagged royal icing more when the icing has more liquid in it; thicker icings don’t tend to separate, but flood icing usually will when left to sit. The best thing you can do is leave the icing bags refrigerated overnight, and take them out a couple of hours before you need them. This way, they can come to room temperature, and you can give them a good massage to reincorporate anything that may have started to separate. Once the bags are kneaded enough, you can cut the tips.

Lily - February 26, 2026

Hi are we able to make this icing with flavor? Cause the last time i used royal icing it was very sugary and plain. Also can I use different types of cookies like lemon, chocolate, and raspberry?
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The Cookie Countess replied:
Yes, you can certainly add whatever flavoring you like, although you may want to eliminate the lemon juice if you do so. Changing the flavor profile will allow it to be a very versatile icing for whatever flavor of cookies you are making!

Sherri - February 4, 2026

When adding a color to the icing, what is the trick to not have colored lips and tongue? I ry to stay away from dark colors but sometimes that is what I need.
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The Cookie Countess replied:
Unfortunately, that is the reality of using dark coloring, and it’s pretty much impossible to avoid ☹ You can try using natural colors, but you don’t generally get very dark results from them without having to use a ton.

Marge - December 22, 2025

Can this icing be used to decorate a ginger bread house?
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The Cookie Countess replied:
Absolutely!

Melinda - December 18, 2025

My icing smells funny (fishy). My ingredients are not outdated so what could be the problem?
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The Cookie Countess replied:
Your ingredients may potentially have been stored next to or near something fishy-smelling (whether in your home or even in the grocery store or transport vehicle). I’d recommend replacing the dry ingredients and seeing if that makes a difference!

Tamara Wolf - September 25, 2025

Can you substitute the corn syrup? I’m trying to get away from it
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The Cookie Countess replied:
Yes, the icing just may be a little harder on the teeth and not quite as glossy.

Rebecca - April 28, 2025

Hey there! Does this icing have a soft bite? I can’t seem to find a royal icing recipe that does hard and has a soft bite.
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The Cookie Countess replied:
You can get a softer bite from most icing recipes by adding corn syrup and/or reducing the amount of meringue powder. Also make sure to not overmix your icing!

Monica Jordan - April 14, 2025

Leave out the vanilla and ADD almond extract!!!!! You will thank me later! Changes the flavor 💯, something different 🤷‍♀️
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The Cookie Countess replied:
The Countess personally hates almond flavoring lol, but the beauty of this recipe is that it’s easily adjusted to your own preferences. I, myself, like to keep the vanilla no matter what other extract I add to really up the flavor! Have fun with it! —Sarah