Step-by-Step Instructions for Royal Icing Consistencies

Royal icing consistencies are arguably the hardest part about working with royal icing! This video is everything you need to know on how to achieve my 5 main royal icing consistencies (plus 2 bonus ones!)
Check out this blog post for SO MANY FAQs: thegracefulbaker.com/royal-ic...
The consistencies you'll learn in this video (side note: this is my own naming structure):
PIPING:
1. Stiff peak piping (flowers)
2. Medium peak piping (outline, detail piping that needs to maintain texture)
3. Soft peak piping (outline, lettering, detail, line work)
FLOOD:
4. Thick flood (one consistency outline/flood)
--- plus: extra thick flood (minis)
5. Thin flood (two consistency outline/flood)
--- plus: extra thin flood (for lots of wet on wet technique)
How to make royal icing (step by step): • How to make the BEST t...
Condensed recipe & consistency video: coming soon!
Cookie recipe: • NO SPREAD Sugar Cookie...
Time stamps to skip ahead to each consistency:
0:00 - intro
STIFF PEAK
Mixing (stiff peak) - 1:37
Final test (stiff peak) - 2:10
MEDIUM PEAK
Mixing (medium peak) - 2:35
Final test (medium peak) - 3:27
SOFT PEAK
Mixing (soft peak) - 4:30
Final test (soft peak) - 10:28
THICK FLOOD
Mixing (thick flood) - 12:25
Extra thick flood (final test) - 14:07
Thick flood (final test) - 17:20
THIN FLOOD
Mixing (thin flood)- 17:55
Thin flood (final test) - 19:52
Extra thin flood (final test) - 21:43
-----
I like to buy Wilton meringue powder: amzn.to/3D0BUN8 - affiliate link
Spray bottle: amzn.to/3fkdLHN (affiliate link)
Starter packs of gel food coloring:
- Americolor 6 pack: amzn.to/3wx8XEI (affiliate link)
- Americolor 12 pack: amzn.to/3yyWcLL
- Wilton 8 pack: amzn.to/3oPY7XP (affiliate link)
My KitchenAid stand mixer: amzn.to/3wB5cOI (affiliate link) - matte velvet blue
-- this is a 6 quart mixer, which is a bit bigger than the standard size KitchenAid (usually 5 qts, although some models are even 3.5 qt) - I bought this so I could do a double batch of dough in the mixer, and I find it does a single batch of icing just fine!
Tipless bags: Borderlands Bakery - borderlandsbakery.com/product...
Amazon shop of my favorite things: www.amazon.com/shop/the.grace...
I do receive a small commission from items purchased from my shop. I only include items I personally own and love!
Projector: I own both of these projectors. I first owned the Pico and purchased the Bluetooth as an upgrade. If budget is a concern, the Pico gets the job done (just make sure that you're plugging it in correctly!). Otherwise, I recommend the Bluetooth - it has a better/brighter image and connects via Bluetooth.
1) amzn.to/3348i24 (affiliate link) - Pico
2) amzn.to/2URI0dV (affiliate link) - Bluetooth
The Sugar Art -- bit.ly/2W1z6im -- my favorite for:
*** use code THEGRACEFULBAKER15 for 15% off your order from The Sugar Art!
- Sterling Pearls (metallic dusts like gold): bit.ly/3AN5Quh
- DiamonDust (edible glitter!!): bit.ly/3sqtZnF
- Elite color (powdered food coloring for painting and dry dusting): bit.ly/3xVsb7l
- Master Elites (highly pigmented powders for coloring icing...a MUST for red and black!!): bit.ly/3k1L8Af
***Please note: my LEMON royal icing recipe does NOT work with all of the Master Elite colors due to the acidity of the lemon juice -- a VANILLA (non-lemon) recipe is best used for the Master Elite pinks, otherwise I use all of their other colors with my lemon recipe (I use Wilton pink with my lemon recipe)
Dehydrator: amzn.to/38mYL75 (affiliate link)
Scribe: amzn.to/30zTkPd (affiliate link)
Music: www.bensound.com "Once Again"
• Step-by-Step Instructi...

[@thegracefulbaker]

Want to learn how to decorate cookies with my online classes for all levels? Click here: thegracefulbakershop.com/ Please note: due to a malfunction on the back end of my KZbin channel, all comment responses I’ve ever given as the channel owner prior to April 6, 2023 were unfortunately deleted (any comments left after that date are still OK). It’s such a bummer and I appreciate your understanding ❤

[@mariarugolo2487]

If there was ever a tutorial to make me think I can attempt this, this is it! Many thanks. ♥️

[@MS-tu9uy]

Yes!! This video made me feel very empowered ❤️

[@goose7574]

@The Graceful Baker I understand that you might not see this by tomorrow morning, but... if you do, could your please let me know if it's better to use meringue powder or egg whites? I have both, but I think my meringue powder might be a bit old. I haven't opened it yet and it's been kept in a cool dry place, but I'm just wondering if egg whites is better or meringue powder? Thank you for your time. My Mother has Dementia and it has progressed very quickly over the past 3 months, so I want to do cookies with my daughter and her tomorrow and Wed. Thanks again for your time. ❤️

[@islandgirl967891]

The BEST video on royal icing consistency...ever! I love how you give several ways to test the consistency. The timing method isn't quite as helpful. I think its easier for us as beginners to replicate ourselves using your analysis. I also love how you have various consistencies, more than most other cookiers out there and you explain what they're good for. It also tells us that RI is not an exact science but an issue of personal preference. Therefore, we should not be intimidated by it. This is now my #1 reference for RI. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective.

[@tracititus8469]

I agree! This is great!!!!!!

[@noone-yd3zs]

Love your videos! I can't wait for more cookies! I'll be watching! Wishing you nothing but love and success!

[@AA-bk1oe]

Love your designs! Thanks for this, i've been meaning to try 🥰

[@kathy223]

Best video I have seen with visual of different step by step directions to achieve the consistency of royal icing you want! Great for every cookier from brand new person to royal icing to experts.

[@sandraf3000]

This is SOOOO helpful. Great to have a visual. This is where my decorating is lacking...consistency in my icing. Can't wait to practice.

[@jaybritton3287]

OH MY GOSH! Thank you soooo much! Your tutorial is phenomenal! 😀💕🍪

[@honeybbunn]

This was such an informative and helpful video!! Straight to the point and all the info you need 💗💗

[@trudykc1]

Royal icing really intimidates me that I purchased meringue powder and a cookie piping set to make and never did because I have no idea what to do... this makes it so easy to understand and follow .. a million times thanks can't wait to try it out

[@nativeSDgirl]

The best video I’ve watched for RI consistencies.

[@k8friedhoff]

My husband and I started baking cookies and decorating them as a Quarantine hobby. We "try" different techniques and watch your videos for inspiration. This tutorial helped a lot (we have watched many). My biggest concerns with nailing the icing is trying to not get air bubbles when working on the consistency and secondly, experimenting with colors. The gel coloring works great, but we never know how much is too much when trying to get a dark rich color. Trial and error all the time! Thanks again for sharing your videos with the world!

[@rootsychick2151]

You've taught me so much, thanks for sharing!

[@mothericraveeggs4954]

Thank you so much for this tutorial!! I'm now inspired to try to make pretty sugar cookies :)

[@tracititus8469]

Honestly, this video was greatly helpful!! I’m new at this so I needed it! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@vee5194]

Your video was very informative. One of the best I’ve seen describing different types of consistencies. Thank u for making this!! I’m barely starting out making cookies and your video will help a lot!!

[@kellyshaw8696]

Just so well taught!! Thank you ❤

[@connieryan6709]

This was so helpful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@yattylee7467]

Thank you soooo much!!! I can't wait to try this😍

[@tlynnpalma9183]

Thank You... this is exactly what I needed.. I love watching your videos, thank you for all you do its appreciated!

[@everberry51]

I am SO thankful for this!!

[@susansharpe725]

Thank you so very much! Love your videos and your work.

[@PennyLester]

This video helped me so much. Thank you! I see from this video that I did not have my icing thin enough. Fingers crossed this baking season will be a lot let frustrating.

[@ugc.mkayla]

This is what I have the most trouble with! Have the recipe for cookie and icing perfect and then I mess up on consistency of decorating after fill ahhh Thanks for this video! I will master consistencies!!!!

[@ugc.mkayla]

I watched the video 3 times!!’ I’m ready!! Here goes 😃😃😃

[@meaningfulmakings]

@@ugc.mkayla How did it go?

[@samanthascookieboutique]

This was a great tutorial! Thank you!!!🥰

[@roseybakes5676]

Thank you so much for this.Can wait to try decorating with your tips 🙃

[@CarysLibri]

Thank you! This is so awesome! Ditto @Maria Rugolo, feel daunted by your skill and unsure about trying myown icing but excited to have your guidance!

[@sallyhinkebein257]

Thanks for the great information! This was very helpful!

[@addysbeeandgarden320]

This was very helpful, thank you!

[@dolphinmom7]

This is is excellent - very helpful. I have been focused on using two consistencies, but I can see that it's probably better to use three for those details where flood is too thin and outline is too thick. I am just starting on this road, I have been decorating cookies for decades, but never used these methods. I used to spread royal icing on my cookies and decorate from there, but I really like the look of these cookies so much. I loved your video on the various ornament shapes.

[@debbiebuttars5598]

Super helpful video. You're the best!

[@sharlenemason-jh3fs]

Thanks so very much. This was just what I needed to see.

[@Ikaa3224]

You are so awesome Grace thank you so much for this video. I love watching your videos are so satisfying lol.

[@mitsylove1]

Thank you! I have literally never been able to decorate sugar cookies. I could never understand the consistency that was needed. Last year was my first year of getting it right after your video! The kids and I had a blast doing them. My 7 year old was asked this year what his favorite Christmas tradition was. Even after only one year of it, he said decorating sugar cookies!

[@thegracefulbaker]

awwww love to hear that thank you!!!!

[@mendyelliott9495]

Great tutorial! Thank you

[@ZZ_The_Boxing_Cat]

For someone just starting out, what is a good starting point (maybe using the same for outline and fill?). I think I am going to outline and then add sanding sugar- to hide a lot of flaws. Then flood the center. I think I will rely heavily on all the different kinds of sprinkles until I get better. I don't want to defeat myself before I even get started! Thank goodness sprinkls are cheap and plentiful for Christmastime! I look forward to improve my skill set (it's at about a 1 right now lol) Thank you for your time and patience for explaining so thoroughly. In the end it looked like cake batter. Your work is absolutely gorgeous!

[@shiraha69]

The spray bottle is GENIUS!

[@ellied1701]

This was AWESOME! Thank u 😀

[@nassarry]

Thank you so much for your tutorials! Hopely you can do one also about how to use the piping bag without using piping tips. How??? And how to piping and flooding without the icing running at the sides 🤔

[@LanaItaliana]

This is just so amazing. Thanks so much Grace! Did you have a video of these exact consistencies and decorating on a cookie with each just so we can see the types of decorations you use for each one ? Much appreciation thank you ! :)

[@richabhagat4205]

Thanks a lot for sharing

[@xenavega3505]

Hey girl hey !!! So I just came over from your icing recipe video and you had mentioned to be very cautious of over mixing does that only apply when using the stand mixer to get the initial thick outline consistency?

[@PATIMAGIRL]

Saludos desde la Ciudad de México 🇲🇽!!!

[@ashstaltez]

Hi!! Love the videos and the tik toks. I have to make my own graduation cookies and wanted to use two consistencies for piping and flooding! Can you please tell me which consistencies I use for each!

[@bellabrobbey3646]

As a beginner, I have to say that this was extremely overwhelming 😪. Many videos that I've seen typically have 3 consistencies and so they have been easier to follow along. But this tutorial reflects your work which is super professional, so I'm hoping that with time this will all make sense to me and I could be nearly as amazing as you 🥰!!

[@luciasilva4904]

Como fazer 0 glacê

[@MavonEast]

I'm a little irritated tbh. She called it step by step then showed zero of the actual icing making steps. If it's supposed to be step by step it should start at an empty bowl.

[@bellabrobbey3646]

She has a different recipe on how to make her icing. This one is specific to how she does her consistencies's.

[@bellabrobbey3646]

She has a different video on how to make her icing. This one is specific to how she does her royal icing 'consistencies', which it says on the thumbnail. But defo checkout her icing recipe on KZbin. it's very helpful

[@wandasquires9797]

Would you share your cookie dough recipe? Your cookies always look so beautiful

[@shaheera614]

Thank u so much I was waiting for this

[@shaheera614]

@@thegracefulbaker I love it

[@susanmcdevitt3467]

This was great! Now, can you give your suggestions to dealing with bubbles in the icing from all of the stirring? I've tried letting it sit for 10-15 minutes and trying to pop before filling my piping bag, but I still get lots of bubbles in my flood that I then have to spend a lot of time popping.

[@mariatamanini2065]

Absolutely love your videos and tutorials! Binge watch them quite often, haha! And may I make a suggestion for a new one 😬? How to get rid of the bloody air bubbles😜

[@mariatamanini2065]

@@thegracefulbaker Yey!!!

[@leslierogalski]

Thanks!

[@thegracefulbaker]

Thank you so much for the additional gift!!! It's GREATLY appreciated 💗

[@ghazalajmal4283]

Do you use two different piping bags for piping and flooding?

[@coracoras.7465]

Love your channel. Tried to subscribe but noticed I already was! Lol

[@DarkMoonDroid]

I have to remember to watch this video _before_ I mix and bag my icing! 😬

[@DarkMoonDroid]

btw, I'm practicing on parchment paper, not cookies. I don't wanna waste cookies. I used expensive ingredients. Thank you, _so much!_

[@DarkMoonDroid]

...added cinnamon and ginger to my brown icing for the gingerbread men. It's _SO_ good!!!

[@californialife3191]

Thank you so much for this video. The writing consistancy. Will it hold its shape well? I'm new to cookies & I have an order with the word "Thank you" in cursive would this hold up? My first time using a projector and writing. I did practice to day but my icing was blending together on some letters.

[@thegracefulbaker]

hello! yes, when done correctly the writing consistency (aka soft peak piping consistency) will hold its shape very nicely! that said, it's very common to make this consistency too thing. so I always say when in down, air on the thicker side!

[@delfinjac8493]

Txs for showing all range of icing BUT...Does it take you THIS LONG TIME to make thick flood or thin flood? Or is this normal when you use meringue-powder instead of fresh egg whites? ❤ your cookie decco!! Johanna,Sweden.

[@jodielyden9656]

More questions for you, Miss Grace! If you can’t finish a job in one go, can you keep it in the piping bags with clips in each end? Will it keep in bowls covered with plastic wrap? What are good bowls and spatulas for coloring and mixing icing? Thanks!

[@josiecat8080]

Glass containers with air tight lids are best. You can keep your icing in those for about two weeks room temperature. Or keep in fridge is fine too!

[@taynanimaribelmoralesrosen229]

Olá muito obrigado pela ajuda amé

[@claudettedecruz]

So I hate making separate consistencies and I've noticed in most your recipes you usually just use one for both outline and flood...is that the extra thin consistency you use?

[@sabrinacruz-santana7309]

Can you do a video on how big you cut the tips of your piping bags and how to tie them properly?

[@donnalrosenberg]

Thank you for this video very helpful. Question, do you ever thin with lemon juice instead of water to keep the sweetness at bay?

[@thegracefulbaker]

I haven't just because I didn't want to "waste" more of the lemon juice, but you could definitely try that! keep in mind that it will make the icing even more tart ;)

[@alexiamcculloch1322]

How long can you keep royal icing in the fridge? I made too much today but I don't just want to throw it away.

[@Hiteafusionrecipes]

Really helpful

[@A3ONY]

I was wondering what consistency did you use for your pride cookies. You used the thick flood right? Just wanted to make sure. :3 loved the pride cookie videos a lot super satisfying.

[@michellebayes4851]

What consistency do you use to outline before a flood?

[@zharlenebarnard6786]

Any recipe shares here for your base stiff peak icing perhaps?

[@debjudisch5548]

I'm thinking that you have me believing that I have WAY more ability than my actual skill! I love watching you but I know that my first tries would involve throwing of cookies and lots of bleeped-out words! I know now why my sister-in-law's cookies that she used to give me at Christmas looked like a 2nd-grade class did them...she had NO idea of the right way to do them. ( they were BAD!) While watching you go through all the consistencies, I learned that royal icing, just like kids and pets, does NOT always do the things that you want them to do on camera! lol! Anyway...you make the most informative, helpful, common sense videos! You really want to help us LEARN something! I love that! Thank you SO much for sharing with us your time, technique, tips, secrets,skill, and knowledge. I appreciate that so much.

[@beefjerkyinaballgown]

Idk what I thought your voice would sound like but I love it, is that weird? Lol

[@kathleenjohnson458]

Grace - I love love love this step by step tutorial (I”ve learned tons from you), but can you please give a “seconds” method number for each one of your consistencies? It would be helpful for pulling this all to together.

[@kathleenjohnson458]

Ok thanks! Again, I’ve learned tons!

[@lmstater]

I have not made royal icing but one time and yesterday I attempted to make some for topping my Christmas cake. I had some left over and placed in the fridge. Is their a way that l can thin and use again. Being British, we use a stiff icing, but l may have made mine too stiff.

[@thegracefulbaker]

hi there! thin with water and here are some tips on storing leftover icing: thegracefulbaker.com/how-to-store-royal-icing/

[@wetappocreek]

Which consistency would u use for baseball stitches and writing?

[@thegracefulbaker]

soft peak piping consistency!

[@pipperoooo]

Thank you for all of your tutorials. You do lovely work. I just decorated my first cookies i think they came pretty good but i can't see having all of these consistency icings. You would have to have like 20 bags. 😆 i used medium consistency for everything. I think i did well. the icing did smooth out yet i was able to pipe. Do you really need this many consistency icings?

[@mezmariahz109]

Wondering which consistency would be most like an all-purpose use? 😮‍💨😅

[@thandiwolfe813]

What is cratering and why does it happen more with thin consistencies?

[@lilyasher24]

how do you avoid over mixing when trying to get the right consistency?

[@thegracefulbaker]

As long as you’re mixing the consistencies by hand it’s impossible to overmix ☺️

[@alyssarae1788]

Hey! I use the time marker tabs on the bottom of the video, and one of them is labeled incorrectly. It’s the “mixing thin flood” section. It’s labeled as thick flood 17:56 is the time marker

[@thegracefulbaker]

Thank you so much for letting me know!

[@heathermeagher6]

❤

[@Just_Darlicious]

Ok the only thing I don’t see linked is the spatula, where is that from? I got some little silicone ones from Amazon and the tips were too flexible to mix icing.

[@Just_Darlicious]

@@thegracefulbaker Thanks so much Grace!😘

[@apoetsnote]

Which would you use for stenciling?

[@cherylspencer8707]

Stiff peak. You can get away with medium peak. The aim is to get the icing to leave the impression via the stencil without it smudging and blurring; the thinner the icing, the less stability and structure it will have. Hope this helps! 🤗🤗

[@tetianayarotska1299]

Спасибо большое 🥰🇺🇦🇮🇪🥳

[@dianamitchell2010]

Can you use lemon juice to thin the icing too?

[@thegracefulbaker]

Yes you can! It will just make it more lemony

[@theresatym-boldt3386]

How do I change the taste of the lemon juice royal icing if I used to much?

[@thegracefulbaker]

Too much lemon juice?

[@thegracefulbaker]

I have a blog post that goes over some common problems! Check it out! thegracefulbaker.com/troubleshooting-royal-icing-common-problems-while-cookie-decorating/

[@KentuckyGinger]

While I appreciate your patience, I don't think I have that much. You give so much good information, so is there any way to give an estimate for amounts to get to approximately each flood consistency? I know it requires you to get a "feel" for it, but I am not sure I'd have that to start. And I know my children would not have the patience to wait for this. Thanks for your videos.

[@thegracefulbaker]

hello! I don't give estimates for each consistency because even the base recipe has a 2 tbsp liquid range. how much additional liquid you need all depends on the environment you're working in (humid or dry), how much icing you're thinning and the consistency it was to begin with before you started thinning. I don't believe any royal icing cookier/blogger out that gives an estimate for these reasons. royal icing is definitely not the medium for those that are looking for the easiest option. for that, and for kids especially, I'd definitely suggest using a glaze instead. You won't be able to achieve the level of detail and different consistencies as you would the royal icing, but it's much easier to make :)

[@constanceangel13]

How much icing should I set aside for each color allowing for piping and flooding consistency for each color?

[@thegracefulbaker]

completely depends on the set you're doing! absolutely no standard answer to that. if you take one of my classes, that's all spelled out in the workbooks :)

[@constanceangel13]

Hi again Is it normal that it takes at least 5hrs from making icing to color and bag for each color and consistencies? By the time i’m done with all this prep i’m too tired to decorate and have to do that the next day. Have you heard about the process of sifting powdered sugar in a food processor? What method do you use to sift powdered sugar? Thank you for your time and advice in advance. Sincerely Connie L

[@funandlala]

1:15 Start with the thickest consistency, then color it, then thin it

[@nourhane5296]

رجاء اعطيني مكونات تزيينك لم اعرف ان كانت شكولاطة ام شيئ اخر....

[@colleenramos555]

doesn't the color change as you add water, thus the outer line will be darker/brighter than the flood color.

[@thegracefulbaker]

nope! color doesn't change at all when you add water

[@jenniferlynn467]

should the icing be cold?

[@thegracefulbaker]

Nope!! Room temperature

[@jenniferlynn467]

@@thegracefulbaker ty

[@mecheleclasson]

Thin flood causes butterbleed. Ever since I thickened up my icing I have never had that problem

[@shaunnamyers-hinton4818]

This is an excellent guide. The counting method does not work for me at all. Thank you!!

[@lorilal9931]

Great video. But honestly, this looks like too much work and very time consuming just to make frosting. But your work is beautiful.

[@MavonEast]

Great tutorial except you _completely_ skipped *how to make the icing in the first place.*

[@thegracefulbaker]

hi there! did you see how in the video description I link the separate video for the recipe? this video here is about the consistencies, not how to make the icing. that's ok, I'll link it again here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3aYmIycns1-psk

[@MavonEast]

@@thegracefulbaker Sorry, I feel like I'm not being clear. Step by step consistency tweaking didn't show how to get the thickest consistency. That's what's missing by the way I read the title. It shows everything but the one I need. 😂

[@conniebueche7398]

THE BEST step by step, spritz by spritz tutorial on the web…kudos! I can’t wait to annoy myself and try this, I’m not a patient person which is why mine usually doesn’t turn out haha

[@trudykc1]

Royal icing really intimidates me that I purchased meringue powder and a cookie piping set to make and never did because I have no idea what to do... this makes it so easy to understand and follow .. a million times thanks can't wait to try it out

[@smilingatuall]

Thanks!

[@smilingatuall]

I paid $5 for another video showing how to do this and it doesn’t even compare to yours!! Thanks so much!

[@thegracefulbaker]

Oh my goodness thank you so much!!!!