How To Make Light Pink, Dark Pink, Hot Pink and Mauve Pink Royal Icing
Learn how to make different shades of pink royal icing with this simple recipe that combines powdered sugar, meringue powder, water, and a touch of red or pink food coloring for a beautifully vibrant finish.
stand mixer with a whisk attachment and a mixing bowl
Spatula
metal knife or spoon
Ingredients
4cupsicing sugar
3Tablespoonsmeringue powder
1teaspoon vanilla extract
½cupWARM water
Light Pink Royal Icing
1 to 2dropsAmeriColor Dark Pink or Betty Crocker Neon Pink gel food coloringper 1/2 cup of icing
Medium Bright Pink Royal Icing
⅛teaspoonBetty Crocker Neon Pink gel food coloringper 1/2 cup of icing
Dark Pink Royal Icing
1/16teaspoonAmeriColor Dark Pink gel food coloringper 1/2 cup of icing
Hot Pink Royal Icing
1/16teaspoonAmeriColor Electric Pink gel food coloringper 1/2 cup of icing
Mauve Pink Royal Icing
1/16teaspoonAmeriColor Fuchsia gel food coloringper 1/2 cup of icing
Instructions
Sift 4 cups of icing sugar into the mixer.
Add 3 Tablespoons meringue powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 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 pink icing, add the food coloring directly to your bowl. Otherwise, separate out the icing that you want to be pink into another bowl.
Add in a small amount of the pink gel food coloring and mix it by hand.
If it isn't dark enough, add a little more pink gel and mix again.
The color will darken over time. If you're not sure the icing is bright enough, cover it with plastic wrap that is touching the surface and let it sit for a couple of hours. Then check the color and mix in more food color if required.
Notes
Since it is very difficult to create two batches of icing with the exact same color, make sure you make enough of the pink to do all of your cookie decorating.
The color will darken over time. To get a better idea of how pink 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 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 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.