Vegan Royal Icing Recipe for Perfectly Smooth Cakes

If you’ve ever wanted to create beautifully decorated cookies or cakes but follow a vegan lifestyle, you might have wondered how to make royal icing without traditional egg whites. The good news is, vegan royal icing is not only possible but also incredibly easy to prepare!

This plant-based alternative offers the same smooth, glossy finish and firm texture that makes royal icing so popular for intricate piping and decorating. Whether you’re gearing up for a festive holiday, a birthday celebration, or just love baking, this vegan royal icing recipe will become your go-to.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through a simple, foolproof recipe using natural ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Plus, I’ll share tips on how to get the perfect consistency and even some creative variations to customize your icing for any occasion.

Ready to dive into the world of vegan baking without compromising on aesthetics or taste? Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan royal icing recipe is a game-changer for anyone who wants to enjoy beautifully decorated baked goods without using animal products. It’s quick to make, uses common ingredients, and holds up perfectly once dried.

Here’s why this recipe stands out:

• Egg-Free & Allergy-Friendly: No raw eggs or egg whites, making it safe for those with egg allergies or vegan diets.
• Perfect Consistency: Smooth and easy to pipe or spread, drying hard for intricate designs.
• Customizable: Easily tinted with natural food coloring or flavored with extracts to suit your taste.
• Long-Lasting: Keeps well when stored in an airtight container, so you can prepare in advance.

Ingredients

• 1 cup powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar)
• 2 tablespoons aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for flavor)
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (helps stabilize the icing)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (adds brightness and helps set the icing)

Equipment

• Mixing bowl (medium size)
• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer with whisk attachment
• Sifter (to sift powdered sugar)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula (for scraping sides)
• Piping bags and tips (optional, for decorating)
• Container with airtight lid (for storing leftover icing)

Instructions

1. Sift the powdered sugar into your mixing bowl to remove any lumps. This step ensures your icing will be silky smooth.
2. Whip the aquafaba using an electric mixer on medium-high speed until it forms soft peaks, about 2-3 minutes. This mimics the function of egg whites.
3. Add cream of tartar and continue whipping for another minute. The cream of tartar stabilizes the aquafaba, helping the icing hold its shape.
4. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing between additions until fully incorporated.
5. Add vanilla extract and lemon juice and beat on medium speed until the icing is glossy and forms stiff peaks. This usually takes 4-5 minutes.
6. Check the consistency: For outlining cookies, your icing should hold a stiff peak and not run. For flooding (filling in areas), thin it with a few drops of water until it flows smoothly but is not too runny.
7. Use immediately or cover tightly with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent drying out.

Tips & Variations

“Always cover your vegan royal icing well when not in use to keep it from drying out and cracking.”

• Coloring: Use natural food colorings such as beet juice powder, spirulina, or turmeric for vibrant and healthy hues without artificial dyes.
• Flavor twists: Try adding almond extract, peppermint, or citrus zest for unique flavors.
• Storage: Store leftover icing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Whisk again before use.
• Consistency adjustments: Add powdered sugar to thicken or a few drops of aquafaba to thin the icing as needed for different decorating techniques.
• Aquafaba alternatives: If you don’t have chickpea liquid on hand, try aquafaba from white beans, though chickpea aquafaba tends to whip best.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Vegan royal icing is perfect for decorating sugar cookies, gingerbread houses, cupcakes, and even vegan cakes. Use it to pipe delicate borders, create festive holiday designs, or write personalized messages.

It dries hard, making it ideal for cookie stacking and gifting.

Want to try baking some vegan treats to go with this icing? Check out these favorites:

• Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious — A perfect cake base for royal icing decorations.
• Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves — Great for making sweet bread to complement your iced cookies.
• Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes — If you want to balance sweet decorating with savory, this sauce is a must-try!

Conclusion

Making vegan royal icing is easier than you might think, and it opens up a world of creative decorating possibilities without compromising your ethical choices or dietary needs. Using aquafaba as a plant-based substitute for egg whites allows you to achieve that classic glossy finish and firm texture, perfect for piping and flooding cookies and cakes.

With just a few simple ingredients and some handy tips, you can create stunning baked goods to impress family and friends at your next celebration. Plus, the versatility of this recipe means you can customize flavors and colors to match any theme or occasion.

So, grab your mixing bowl and start decorating—your next masterpiece awaits!

For more delicious vegan recipes and inspiration, don’t forget to explore our collection of Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals and Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas.

Happy baking!

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