How Long Royal Icing Takes to Dry
It takes royal icing six to eight hours to completely dry. Once you flood, spread, or pipe it onto your cookies, let them stand at room temperature. However, royal icing will start to dry mid-use if you’re not careful. To prevent hardening while you decorate, keep your icing covered with a damp cloth while you work and give it a good stir every so often. If necessary, add a drop or two of water to regain the desired consistency.
How Long Royal Icing Lasts
Royal icing can last up to three days when refrigerated. Royal icing can last longer than three days when stored in the fridge, but for best results, try to use or eat it within those three days. If not, you may find an unpleasant texture change in your icing. Royal icing lasts in the freezer for up to one month, though you will have to thaw it completely before using it.
How to Store Royal Icing
If you’ve used fresh or dried egg whites, you’ll want to store your royal icing in the refrigerator. Royal icing made from meringue powder can be stored at room temperature. You can freeze royal icing in clean, resealable freezer bags with the air pressed out. Thaw at room temperature when ready to use. When storing royal icing, glass or ceramic containers are the best kinds to use. Once transferred, gently press a piece of wax paper, parchment, plastic wrap, or a damp paper towel over the surface of your icing to completely cover it, then tightly cover the container with a lid. To make your royal icing colorful, a few drops of food coloring will saturate your royal icing with any color of the rainbow. Just remember that a little coloring goes a long way—if the color isn’t as dark or saturated as you want, keep in mind that it will darken as the icing dries.
