DECORATING ICING RECIPES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Tint with food coloring if desired. Keep unused icing covered at all times with a damp cloth. If necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture., To decorate, place icing in a pastry bag. For border decorations and dots, use a #3 round pastry tip. For small detailed decorations, use a #1 or #2 round pastry tip.

Steps:

• Sift the powdered sugar. Sift 3 1/2 cups (1 pound) powdered sugar through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl. If any lumps are left in the strainer, use your fingers to break them up and push them through the strainer.
• Measure the egg whites. Place 4 large pasteurized egg whites or 1/2 cup liquid egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. (Alternatively, use an electric hand mixer and large bowl.)
• Whip the egg whites until foamy. Whip on medium-high speed until foamy, doubled in volume, and opaque, about 2 minutes.
• Beat in the powdered sugar. Turn the mixer off and add half of the powdered sugar. Mix on low speed until the powdered sugar is completely dissolved and no large lumps remain, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the remaining powdered sugar and continue mixing until completely dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes more.
• Whip until smooth and glossy. Increase the mixer speed to high and whip until the icing is completely smooth, glossy, and slightly thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. The icing should hold a soft peak and slowly run off of the whisk attachment. If the icing is too loose, add more powdered sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, and continue mixing until completely incorporated.
• Add optional extracts and food coloring. Decrease the mixer speed to low and add 1 teaspoon extract and a few drops of food coloring, if desired. Mix until the icing is smooth and evenly colored, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Adjust the consistency with water. The icing can be used as-is or thinned out with water to achieve a pourable consistency for flooding cookies. Add water in 1 teaspoon increments, stirring between each, until desired consistency is reached. If not using immediately, press a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the frosting to keep it from drying out until ready to use.
• Decorate cookies with the icing and let dry. Decorate cookies with the icing and let completely dry before touching them, at least 4 hours.