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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Recipes

    Vegan Royal Icing (For Cookies)

    Published: Dec 5, 2022 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This vegan royal icing recipe is so perfect for decorating cookies without using raw eggs! It sets quickly and can be made any color!

    icing dripping with cookies in background.

    If you're making some sugar cookies for decorating this holiday season (or anytime of year!), you're going to need a good royal icing recipe. And, if you happen to be vegan or have an egg allergy or just don't love the idea of raw eggs on a cookie, then this vegan royal icing recipe is the perfect option!

    Did I mention it's extremely easy? I am certainly no expert pastry chef, but even I could nail this recipe on the first try! Instead of eggs, we're using aquafaba, which is the liquid from a can of chickpeas.

    That, plus some powdered sugar and a few more things are all you need!

    Table of Contents:
    • 🍪 Recipe Origins
    • 🎥 Watch the video of this recipe
    • 🍰 Why you'll love this Vegan Royal Icing
    • 🥘 What you need for this recipe
    • 📋 How to make Vegan Royal Icing
    • 💭 Expert Tips & Tricks
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    🍪 Recipe Origins

    Normally, I wouldn't imagine that there is a deep history to an icing recipe, but the name royal icing certainly implies something more.

    Apparently, in 1840 when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert and this type of icing was used on the wedding cake. After that, it was donned the title of "royal icing." Riveting story, I know!

    🎥 Watch the video of this recipe

    🍰 Why you'll love this Vegan Royal Icing

    • No Raw Eggs Needed! Normally, I don't mind undercooked or raw eggs, and they're generally pretty safe, but this eliminates any risk entirely!
    • Really simple recipe that is hard to mess up! If you make it too thick, you can just thin it out, and vice versa. Basically fool-proof!
    • Just a few Ingredients. No need for a grocery haul, you likely already have these ingredients!

    🥘 What you need for this recipe

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    ingredients with labels.
    • Aquafaba - Drain the liquid from a can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans and we'll use that liquid in place of the egg whites! It froths very nicely and works just like eggs.
    • Powdered Sugar - Good old confectioner's sugar. Superfine or granulated sugar will not work, it must be powdered
    • Vanilla Extract - Homemade or store-bought. I believe you can buy clear vanilla extract if you are concerned about the impact on the color.
    • Lemon Juice - Lemon juice or vinegar, just a small amount is needed.

    Tools and Equipment

    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Electric Beaters or Electric Whisk or Stand Mixer

    📋 How to make Vegan Royal Icing

    Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

    Begin by draining a can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans over a bowl or measuring cup. Reserve about ¼ cup of the chickpea liquid – known as aquafaba.

    Store the remaining drained chickpeas for another use.

    Measure the remaining ingredients.

    Step 2: Begin Mixing

    In a large mixing bowl, add the aquafaba along with the lemon juice or vinegar and mix until it becomes lightly frothy.

    frothy aquafaba in bowl.
    powdered sugar added to bowl.

    Add the powdered sugar. You can either add all of it at once or add it in increments, I recommend increments if you are not using a stand mixer.

    Step 3: Finishing Touches

    Add vanilla and continue mixing until there are no lumps remaining in the icing.

    Once smooth, continue to mix for 3-5 minutes.

    vanilla added to icing.
    icing in a bowl.

    If you need it to be thicker for things like gingerbread house "glue" or piping thicker designs, you can add more powdered sugar. If you want it to be thinner just mix in a little water.

    Use immediately by placing in a piping bag or store in the fridge for later in an airtight container. The icing will harden if left out for too long.

    cookie on a plate and icing in a bowl.

    💭 Expert Tips & Tricks

    • To make colorful icing, add food coloring when adding the vanilla. Mix until combined and add as much as you need to get your desired color.
    • If you don’t have a piping bag, just carefully fill a plastic bag. Push the icing into one corner, seal the top and twist the bag above the icing. Cut a very small hole in the corner. The icing will immediately begin to flow out, so hold it upside down, then ice the cookies!
    • Control the thickness by adding more powdered sugar to be thicker or adding water to be thinner. Start small, so that you don't end up going back and forth and end up with way too much icing!

    Recipe FAQs

    What can I use instead of eggs in royal icing?

    One of the best egg substitutes for royal icing is the liquid from a can of chickpeas, called aquafaba. It froths just like egg whites do and it has a neutral color and flavor.

    What are the two types of royal icing?

    The different types of royal icing refer to the different consistencies for piping. There is stiff, piping, and flood. Stiff is the thickest, good for using as "glue" in gingerbread houses, piping is the middle consistency for general decorating use, and flood is a loose consistency which is good for filling in areas evenly.

    What makes royal icing harder?

    If you want your vegan royal icing to be harder, simply leave it out to dry for longer (after it has been piped). The icing will harden on its own when left out.

    Related Recipes

    • Pink Paloma Recipe (Grapefruit Cocktail)
    • Healthy Fish Tacos (With Cod)
    • Scallop Crudo with Mango Sauce
    • Risotto al Limone (Lemony Risotto)

    Love a recipe you've tried? Please leave a 5-star🌟 rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Don't forget to tag me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook when you try one of my recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    iced cookies on a plate.

    Vegan Royal Icing (For Cookies)

    This vegan royal icing recipe is so perfect for decorating cookies without using raw eggs! It sets quickly and can be made any color!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert, Sauce
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Mixing Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 10 people
    Calories: 3kcal
    Author: Emily

    Equipment

    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Electric Beaters or Electric Whisk or Stand Mixer

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup Aquafaba
    • 500 g Powdered sugar about 4 cups
    • 1 teaspoon Lemon juice or vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Begin by draining a can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans over a bowl or measuring cup. Reserve about ½ cup of the chickpea liquid – known as aquafaba.
    • Store the remaining drained chickpeas for another use.
    • Measure the remaining ingredients.
    • In a large mixing bowl, add the aquafaba along with the lemon juice or vinegar and mix until it becomes lightly frothy.
    • Add the powdered sugar. You can either add all of it at once or add it in increments, I recommend increments if you are not using a stand mixer.
    • Add vanilla and continue mixing until there are no lumps remaining in the icing.
    • Once smooth, continue to mix for 3-5 minutes.
    • If you need it to be thicker for things like gingerbread house "glue" or piping thicker designs, you can add more powdered sugar. If you want it to be thinner just mix in a little water.
    • Use immediately by placing in a piping bag or store in the fridge for later in an airtight container. The icing will harden if left out for too long.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 3kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 0.002g | Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 0.04mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 0.001g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 0.03IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 0.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @LegallyHealthyBlonde or tag #LegallyHealthyBlonde!

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    Hi, I'm Emily! I am the classically trained chef-recipe creator behind Legally Healthy Blonde. I love fancy pasta, a good martini, and cooking impressive meals for myself and friends! I created LHB to share my passion of cooking and entertaining with everyone! If you love feel-good food that looks & tastes impressive, you're in the right spot!

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