How to Make Royal Icing with a Hand Mixer

How to Make Royal Icing with a Hand Mixer with Video | The Bearfoot Baker

When I started making cookies I didn’t own a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. After a year or so of making cookies, I bought one because I thought it would make things easier. It did make things easier, but you don’t have to have one to make sugar cookies and royal icing. I wanted to put together a little video to shows How to Make Royal Icing with a Hand Mixer just to show you it can be done and I’ve done it many, many times.

How-to-Make-Royal-Icing-with-a-Hand-Mixer-by-thebearfootbaker.com

When I make the icing with a hand mixer, I do have a few more clogs in my tips than I do when I use the KitchenAid Stand Mixer. That could be partially due to the fact that I do not sift my powdered sugar. I probably should, but who has the time. I take a few shortcuts here and there when I can because we all know making cookies takes a little more time than making cupcakes and cakes. You have to let the icing dry completely and sometimes that can take 8 hours or more.

**Update** I now sift all of my powdered sugar because it does make life a little easier when you decorate sugar cookies. I very seldom have clogged decorating tips and it’s helpful when you use tipless decorating bags.

How to Make Royal Icing with a Hand Mixer:

Royal Icing Recipe
Half a batch of Royal Icing Recipe

Royal Icing with a Hand Mixer Video:

Even though I have my KitchenAid Stand Mixer, I still make icing with a hand mixer sometimes. It is easy to clean and well, sometimes easy is good.

Speaking of easy, did you see the way I added water to my icing until it became the consistency I was looking for? A simple little spray bottle is a great way to get your royal icing the consistency you’re looking for without making the icing too thin. Well, that amazing tip came from Gail at One Tough Cookie. When she shared that tip, my life got a lot easier! I use the spray bottle to get the icing consistency I want and I never add too much water. Thanks, Gail! You are brilliant!

How to Make Royal Icing with a Hand Mixer by thebearfootbaker.com

Look how smooth that icing is. When I made it I could see air bubbles. Here is a quick tip for removing them. Once you remove them, you will have beautiful icing ready to be transformed into beautiful cookies.

How to Make Royal Icing with a Hand-Mixer-thebearfootbaker.com

And you did it all with a hand dandy little hand mixer. Now that you know how to make royal icing with a hand mixer, what is stopping you from making cookies? NOTHING! I can’t wait to see what you make so please tag me and share your beautiful cookie photos!

If you need more tips on how to decorate cookies check out Bearfoot Basics & Tips and I’m sure you’ll find a few things that will help. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, shoot me an email at lisa@thebearfootbaker.com and let me know how I can help.

Bear hugs,

Lisa