Colored Royal Icing Food

COLORED ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• Put sugar in a mixing bowl. With the mixer running, slowly add egg whites, allowing the sugar to absorb them. Add just enough egg whites to get a smooth consistency (you may not need all 6). If icing becomes too thick, thin with lemon juice.
• Divide the icing among several small bowls and tint with a small amount of paste or powdered food coloring. Mix well for an even color.
• Spread a thin layer of base icing on the cooled cookies, using a flat metal spatula. Allow to set uncovered for about 1 1/2 hours or overnight. Cover bowls of leftover icing with plastic wrap, making sure the wrap touches the icing. This prevents it from forming a crust and drying out.
• Decorate the cookies using pastry bags and small tips. Thicken the icing with a bit of confectioners' sugar before putting it in the pastry bags.

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• Whisk water and meringue powder with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Add sugar, and beat until icing holds a ribbonlike trail on the surface for 5 seconds when beater is raised. (Icing should be the consistency of glue.)
• Transfer two-thirds of the white icing to the squeeze bottle with the larger hole or to the pastry bag fitted with the larger tip.
• Divide remaining icing in half, and tint one half using red food coloring and the other half using the 2 blue food colorings until desired colors are achieved.
• Transfer red and blue icings to the remaining 2 squeeze bottles or the pastry bags fitted with the smaller tips.

ROYAL ICING

Steps:

• In large bowl of stand mixer combine the egg whites and vanilla and beat until frothy. Add confectioners' sugar gradually and mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated and mixture is shiny. Turn speed up to high and beat until mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks. This should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Add food coloring, if desired. For immediate use, transfer icing to pastry bag or heavy duty storage bag and pipe as desired. If using storage bag, clip corner. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.