How to Make Royal Icing for Cupcakes
- 1). Combine lemon juice and egg whites or meringue powder and water in a large bowl. Mix together by hand using a large spoon or a handheld mixer.
- 2). Begin adding sugar little by little. Stop when the consistency is thick enough to be piped. At this point it will form soft peaks when you poke it with a spoon and pull the spoon away. Separate icing to be used for piping.
- 3). Continue to add sugar in small increments, about two tbsp. at a time as the icing gets stiffer. Pulling a spoon out of the icing should form stiff peaks that retain their shape at this final stage. Icing is ready to be spread on cupcakes.
- 4). Color your icing whatever shade you choose. Separate it into smaller containers to make several different colors. Start with small quantities of food coloring and mix completely before adding more.
- 5). Spread or pipe the royal icing onto your cupcakes. If you're not using it immediately, cover with a wet cloth or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
