Description
Create perfect vegan royal icing using aquafaba, a plant-based alternative to egg whites, ideal for decorating sugar cookies with smooth, glossy, and vibrant designs. This recipe guides you through making both border and flooding icings for detailed cookie decoration, suitable for all occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Sugar Cookies
- Your favorite vegan sugar cookie recipe
Vegan Royal Icing
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 5–6 tbsp aquafaba (chickpea brine)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Plant-based food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Bake and Cool Sugar Cookies: Bake your favorite vegan sugar cookies in desired shapes, then allow them to cool completely before decorating.
- Prepare Border Royal Icing: Mix 4 cups powdered sugar with 2-3 tbsp aquafaba to create a thick paste suitable for outlining. Add more aquafaba if needed to adjust consistency so it holds shape and prevents flooding. If using multiple colors, separate portions into different bowls and mix in plant-based food coloring as desired.
- Pipe the Cookie Borders: Spoon the border icing into piping bags, trim the tip, and carefully pipe a clean outline around each cookie. This barrier prevents the flooding icing from running over the edges.
- Cover Unused Icing: Cover any unused royal icing with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out while you work.
- Prepare Flooding Royal Icing: To the remaining icing, add 1 tbsp or more aquafaba gradually, stirring until the consistency allows the icing to drip slowly from a spoon without being too runny. Separate and color as needed and transfer to piping bags with trimmed tips.
- Flood the Cookies: Fill in the outlined areas of the cookies with flooding icing, starting with a small amount. Use a toothpick to gently spread the icing to the edges and eliminate air bubbles.
- Allow Partial Setting: Let the flooded icing set for 15 minutes before adding additional decorative details, such as scarves, facial features, or mittens.
- Final Setting and Storage: Let the decorated cookies dry completely for at least another 15 minutes before enjoying immediately. For longer storage, allow cookies to dry undisturbed and lightly covered for about 8 hours or overnight before packing.
Notes
- Ensure cookies are fully cooled before icing to prevent melting or sliding.
- Adjust aquafaba gradually to get the perfect consistency for piping and flooding.
- Use a damp paper towel to keep unused icing moist and workable.
- Vegan food coloring options can help you create vibrant decorations safely.
- Allow royal icing to dry thoroughly to avoid smudging or damage during transport.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (excluding sugar cookie baking time)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Vegan royal icing, aquafaba icing, sugar cookie decorating, plant-based royal icing, egg-free icing, vegan baking
