For a beginner it is always hard to make sure that the icing consistency is right for the design. I had lots of trouble at the beginning. I just wanted to make flooded cookies, but the icing was too thick and it did not run at all, or the opposite happened, that it was way too fluid to draw lines. Actually, it is not exactly true, I was able to draw the lines, but after a while the lines just run into one big mess, instead of staying in the position I laid them down.
Sooner or later, let’s say later, I learned how to determine the right consistency of the icing.
Mostly I use 3 different consistency.
Royal Icing Consistency
Stiff Icing ( at the right) :
I always start with a very hard icing that just come out of the whipping bowl. It is stiff and stays on the mixer and holds the peak.
Uses:
Lines, borders, roses, ruffles, basket weave, brush embroidery, or lettering
Medium Consistency ( in the middle):
It holds a very soft peak, and doesn’t spread on its own. It can, however, be smoothed out with toothpicks. To achieve this consistency, start with stiff icing and add a few drops of water at a time. It doesn’t take much water to get there, so be careful not to add too much at once. Medium consistency icing is thin enough to flow smoothly out of a small tip.
Uses:
Make different color outlines before flooding, filigree, script writing
Flood Consistency ( on the left)
This is achieved with adding more water to the icing. the icing should be liquid enough that it almost flows into and out of the pipe and does not need much help to get a smooth even surface.
If it is too watery than the surface will be too thin, if it is too stiff (like Medium Consistency) it will be hard to smooth out and could be hard to work on it.
It’s important that the consistency is just right. It will take some practice, so don’t get frustrated if you don’t get it right the first time.
Uses:
I use this to create smooth surface area for different designs, lettering.
How to achieve the right consistency?
Mix a batch of Royal icing using my recipe and make it really still.
Line up lots of small cups and spoons. Fill a cup with water and get a small measuring tool, I prefer the 1/4 tsp one to add water to the icing. Scoop some icing into one of the cups and add water little by little. Once in a while drop a little bit of icing to a smooth surface the check the consistency. Repeat this until you achieve what you need.
