:: A Royal Recipe ::

Basic Royal Icing :: Megann’s Kitchen :: :: making planetary cookies – swirling colours & finishing with glitter :: Royal Icing is quite beautiful & not to mention delicious. It adds a sugary, hardened crunch to semi-sweet cookies, cupcakes & cakes with magnificent results. I also love the creativity that you can generate with different techniques, colours & decorations. The cookies featured are made with my Vanilla Bean & Gingerbread recipe – perfect for a novelty cookie of your choice. The Royal Icing 1 egg white, lightly whisked 2 cups (320g) pure icing sugar, sifted 1 Tbs lemon juice water To make the royal icing, place the egg white in a small bowl & beat with electric mixer/beaters until well aerated. Gradually adding the icing sugar ½ a cup at a time, mixing well between each addition. Add the lemon juice (or any flavourings) & any additional water, stirring until a thick & creamy consistency. Add desired colours. Fit a piping bag with a No. 4 plain nozzle. Spoon the icing into the prepared bag. Pipe icing onto each gingerbread figure and decorate. Set aside for at least 30 minutes to allow the icing to set. :: cookies for an Owl Themed Party for a hoot of a time :: Kitchen Notes :: For chocolate icing, leave out the lemon juice & add 1 Tbs sifted cocoa powder. :: For vanilla icing, add 1tsp-2tsp pure vanilla extract. :: If wanting to create a layered effect of colours & flavours, allow the icing to set before adding different layers of icing on top. If not properly dry, the colour will bleed into the other or emerge into other icings. :: I am in LOVE with edible glitter for novelty cookies… it adds a festive touch for any special occasion, especially Christmas! It can be expensive, but you only require a little. Available at all good specialty baking & decorating stores. :: kids love to squeeze out a little creativity :: Little Larder :: Kids just adore decorating with friends, allowing their creative minds soar. I portion out royal icing into small bowls & choose a variety of colours. I then place the icing into disposable icing bags, sealing it off with a rubber band so it doesn’t emerge out the wrong end. Snip a tiny section off the ends off the icing bag, place a wet wipe at the bottom of a plastic cup (to prevent drying) & place the icing bags tip down into each one. I grab a selection of sprinkles for them to choose from, creating a super cool decorating station, & let the creativity begin… Oh, & keep those wipes handy! :: cookies for a “by the Waters Edge” – nautical themed party :: Quick Kitchen :: Royal Icing can also be purchased in a packet mix, such as Queen brand, available from all good supermarkets in the baking section & specialty baking stores. :: Disposable icing bags, such a the Multixbrand, can also be purchased from supermarkets & specialty baking stores. :: “Ruldolf the red nosed reindeer” Christmas Cookies :: :: iced & packaged – ready for hungry party guests to eat now or take-away :: Enjoy decorating your cookies as much as we do here in Megann’s Kitchen!