Royal Icing With Corn Syrup Vs Without
When it comes to decorating cookies, cakes, and other desserts, royal icing is one of the most popular choices. This icing is made from a mixture of egg whites and powdered sugar, and it hardens as it dries, making it perfect for creating intricate designs and decorations. However, there is often debate among bakers about whether or not to add corn syrup to their royal icing recipe. Let’s take a look at the differences between royal icing with corn syrup vs without.
What is Royal Icing?
Royal icing is a type of icing that is made from egg whites and powdered sugar. The icing is typically used for decorating cakes, cookies, and other desserts. It is a versatile icing that can be piped into intricate designs, used to create borders and outlines, or simply spread over the surface of a dessert as a smooth, glossy finish.
Why Add Corn Syrup to Royal Icing?
One of the reasons bakers add corn syrup to their royal icing recipe is to make the icing more elastic and less likely to crack. Corn syrup is a type of sugar syrup that is derived from corn starch. When added to royal icing, it helps to keep the icing from getting too hard and brittle as it dries. This is particularly important when decorating cookies, as the cookies need to be able to withstand being stacked or stored without the icing cracking or breaking.
Recipes with Corn Syrup
If you are looking for a royal icing recipe that includes corn syrup, here is one to try:
Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Directions:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add the corn syrup and vanilla extract, and beat until the icing is smooth and glossy.
- If desired, add food coloring to tint the icing.
- Transfer the icing to a pastry bag and use as desired.
Recipes Without Corn Syrup
If you prefer not to use corn syrup in your royal icing recipe, you can still achieve great results. Here is a recipe for royal icing without corn syrup:
Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup water
- Food coloring (optional)
Directions:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add the vanilla extract and water, and beat until the icing is smooth and glossy.
- If desired, add food coloring to tint the icing.
- Transfer the icing to a pastry bag and use as desired.
Conclusion
Whether you choose to use corn syrup in your royal icing recipe or not, the most important thing is to experiment and find a recipe that works for you. Both types of royal icing can be used to create beautiful and intricate designs, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Just remember to have fun and enjoy the process of creating something delicious and beautiful!