When it comes to decorating cookies, there are two primary types of icing that people use: cookie icing and royal icing. While both of these icings can be used to add color and design to your cookies, they are actually quite different from each other. In this post, we’ll explore the key differences between cookie icing and royal icing and explore some of the ideal uses for each of these types of icing.
What is Cookie Icing?
Cookie icing, also known as glaze icing, is a type of icing that is often used to add a transparent layer of sweetness to baked goods. It’s made using a combination of powdered sugar, water, and sometimes light corn syrup. This type of icing is thin and runny, which makes it ideal for flooding cookies or for creating a glossy finish. One of the main benefits of using cookie icing is that it doesn’t dry as hard as royal icing. Instead, it stays a bit soft, which can make it a great choice for those who prefer their cookies to be a bit softer in texture.
What is Royal Icing?
Royal icing is a type of icing that can be used for a wide range of baked goods, including cookies, cakes, and cupcakes. It’s made using a combination of egg whites and powdered sugar, mixed together until they form a thick, glossy frosting. One of the key benefits of royal icing is that it dries very hard, which makes it ideal for intricate designs or for building structures (such as gingerbread houses). Royal icing can also be used to create a matte or shiny finish, depending on whether the icing is thinned out or not.
Differences Between Cookie Icing and Royal Icing
Now that we have a basic understanding of what cookie icing and royal icing are, let’s take a closer look at some of the key differences between these two types of icing.
Cooking Methods: One of the biggest differences between cookie icing and royal icing is in the way they’re made. Cookie icing is typically made by mixing together powdered sugar, water, and corn syrup until the mixture is thin and runny. Royal icing, on the other hand, is made using egg whites and powdered sugar, which are mixed together until the icing reaches a thick, glossy consistency.
Consistency: Another key difference between cookie icing and royal icing is in the consistency of the icings. Cookie icing is thin and runny, which makes it ideal for flooding cookies or for creating a glossy finish. Royal icing, on the other hand, is much thicker and has a more dense consistency. This makes it ideal for intricate designs or for building structures out of icing.
Drying Time: One of the main benefits of royal icing is that it dries very hard, making it ideal for intricate designs, building structures, or for creating a matte or shiny finish. Cookie icing, on the other hand, doesn’t dry as hard as royal icing does. Instead, it stays a bit soft, which can make it a great choice for those who prefer their cookies to be a bit softer in texture.
Taste: The flavor of cookie icing is typically very sweet, while royal icing has a much more subtle flavor. Royal icing can also be modified with flavorings, such as lemon or almond extract, to add a bit of additional flavor.
Uses for Cookie Icing and Royal Icing
Now that we have a better understanding of the differences between cookie icing and royal icing, let’s explore some of the ideal uses for each of these types of icing.
Ideal Uses for Cookie Icing: Cookie icing is ideal for creating a transparent layer of sweetness on baked goods, such as cookies or pastry. It’s great for flooding cookies or piping designs into wet icing. To thin the consistency of cookie icing, just pop it in the microwave for about 20 seconds.
Ideal Uses for Royal Icing: Royal icing, on the other hand, is ideal for creating intricate designs or building structures. Because it dries very hard, it can be used to create detailed designs that wouldn’t be possible with cookie icing. Royal icing can also be used to create a matte or shiny finish, depending on your preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cookie icing and royal icing are two very different types of icing that each have their own ideal uses. Cookie icing is great for flooding cookies or for adding a transparent layer of sweetness to baked goods. Royal icing is ideal for creating intricate designs or for building structures out of icing. By understanding the differences between these two types of icing, you can choose the type that’s right for your next baking project.
FAQ
Is Wilton cookie icing like royal icing?
When it comes to decorating cookies, many people use Wilton cookie icing as an alternative to traditional royal icing. While both types of icing look similar, there are some differences in the way they are used and the final outcome they produce.
Royal icing is made from a mixture of confectioner’s sugar, egg whites and lemon juice that is beaten together until it forms a thick, stiff consistency. It dries hard and can be used to create intricate designs and decorations on cookies. Often, colors are added to royal icing to create vibrant hues.
On the other hand, Wilton cookie icing is a pre-made, ready-to-use icing that is sold in supermarkets and craft stores. It is made from a variety of ingredients such as water, corn syrup, and vegetable oil, which gives it a smooth and creamy consistency. It is also sold in an array of colors, which eliminates the need for additional coloring.
One of the main differences between the two types of icing is the way they dry. While royal icing dries hard and creates a glossy finish, cookie icing remains soft and can smudge or smear if handled improperly. This is because it does not contain egg whites like royal icing does. Another difference is the way they are applied; royal icing is typically piped onto cookies using a pastry bag and decorating tips, while cookie icing can be squeezed directly from the container onto the cookie.
In terms of taste, both royal icing and Wilton cookie icing are sweet and delicious. However, because Wilton cookie icing has a creamier texture, some people find it to be more enjoyable to eat. Taste preferences are subjective, however, but both types of icing are versatile and can be used to create many different cookie designs.
Wilton cookie icing can be a great alternative to royal icing, especially for novice bakers or those who want to save time and effort. It comes in many colors, has a creamy texture, and is simple to use. However, it is important to remember that it does not dry hard like royal icing, so cookies decorated with Wilton cookie icing may not be suitable for shipping or long-term storage.
What are the three types of royal icing?
Royal icing is a popular icing used for decorating cakes, cookies, and other desserts. It is a versatile icing that can be used in a variety of ways, and can be made in different consistencies depending on the desired result. There are three main types of royal icing: stiff consistency, piping consistency, and flood consistency.
Stiff consistency royal icing is the thickest and firmest of the three types. It is used for making intricate decorations such as piped flowers, leaves, and other designs that require a lot of detail. Stiff consistency icing is made with icing sugar, meringue powder, and water, and is beaten until it reaches a thick, creamy consistency. It should hold its shape when piped or spread, and should not run or drip.
Piping consistency royal icing is slightly thinner than stiff consistency icing, and it is used for piping borders and lettering on cakes and cookies. It is also used for creating small embellishments, such as dots and lines. To make piping consistency icing, a small amount of water is added to stiff consistency icing until it reaches the desired thickness. It should be soft enough to pipe easily through a pastry bag, but firm enough to hold its shape when piped.
Flood consistency royal icing is the thinnest and most fluid of the three types. It is used for creating a smooth, flat surface on cookies or for flooding larger areas with color. Flood consistency icing is made by adding more water to piping consistency icing until it becomes thin and runny. It should be fluid enough to spread easily and evenly over the surface of a cookie, but thick enough to stay within the edges of the area being flooded.
Stiff consistency, piping consistency, and flood consistency are the three main types of royal icing. Each consistency is used for a different decorating technique, and they can be combined to achieve a variety of effects. By understanding the differences between these three types of royal icing, you can create beautifully decorated desserts that are sure to impress.
What type of frosting is best for cookie decorating?
When it comes to decorating cookies, the type of frosting you use can make or break your final product. The ideal frosting should be spreadable, hold its shape, and have a smooth texture. But with so many frosting options to choose from, which one is the best for cookie decorating?
One popular frosting option for cookie decorating is royal icing. Made from whipped egg whites, powdered sugar, and sometimes cream of tartar, royal icing dries hard and is ideal for creating intricate designs and details on cookies. However, because it dries quickly and hardens, it can be difficult to eat and may not be the best choice for those with sensitive teeth.
Another popular option is fondant, which is a soft, pliable sugar mixture that is rolled out and placed over the cookie. Although fondant gives cookies a sleek, professional look, it can be time-consuming to work with and may not taste as good as other frosting options.
But if you’re looking for a frosting that not only looks beautiful but tastes delicious, then buttercream frosting may be your best bet. Made from butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, buttercream frosting has a sweet, buttery flavor (hence the name) and it’s great for a smooth icing over cookies, creating borders, and for writing.
Not only is buttercream frosting easy to make, but it’s also versatile. You can add food coloring to create different colors, or even add flavors such as cocoa powder to create chocolate buttercream. Plus, because it’s not too sweet, it pairs well with a variety of cookie flavors.
While there are a variety of frosting options for decorating cookies, buttercream frosting is the best choice for those looking for a tasty, easy-to-use frosting that looks beautiful on cookies. So the next time you’re decorating cookies, give buttercream frosting a try and see the difference it makes!