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Judy John

Royal Icing Vs Buttercream For Cookies

Compare royal icing and buttercream for cookie decorating. Learn the differences in texture, flavor, appearance, storage, and ease of use so you can choose the best option for any occasion.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 195
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sugar Cookies
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour leveled
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Royal Icing
  • 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 2 tbsp meringue powder
  • 5 tbsp water adjust as needed
Buttercream
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Oven
  • Cooling Rack
  • Piping Bag
  • Piping Tips
  • Offset Spatula
  • Freezer
  • Tray
  • Cookie Scoop

Method
 

  1. Prepare and bake sugar cookies until lightly golden. Cool completely before decorating.
  2. For royal icing, whisk powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth and glossy.
  3. Adjust royal icing consistency for outlining or flooding. It should flow but hold shape briefly.
  4. For buttercream, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla until fluffy.
  5. Decorate several cookies with royal icing for crisp designs and detailed patterns.
  6. Decorate remaining cookies with buttercream for a soft, rich finish and textured swirls.
  7. Compare texture, flavor, appearance, and handling to determine your preferred decorating style.

Notes

Royal icing creates a crisp finish that dries firm, while buttercream stays soft and creamy. For softer cookies, reduce baking time slightly. For crispier cookies, bake a minute longer. Freeze undecorated cookies in airtight containers for up to three months. Handle buttercream-decorated cookies carefully during assembly and transport. Customize flavors with citrus, almond, maple, or cocoa extracts. Store royal icing cookies at room temperature and buttercream cookies in the refrigerator.