What To Do With Leftover Royal Icing (10 Tasty Ideas)

If you’ve ever found yourself with leftover royal icing after a baking session or a decorating project, don’t worry about letting it go to waste.

There are plenty of creative ways to use up this versatile ingredient, from decorating baked goods to adding sweetness to your favorite drinks.

In this article, we will explore ten ideas for what to do with leftover royal icing that will help you maximize its potential and create delectable treats that you and your loved ones will savor.

10 Ideas For What To Do With Leftover Royal Icing

Royal icing is a delicious, sweet treat that often goes to waste when there are too many leftovers.

But don’t worry – there are plenty of ways you can use up the extra royal icing!

Here are ten great ideas for what to do with your leftover royal icing:

1 – Decorate Cookies or Cakes

Leftover royal icing can be an excellent way to decorate cookies or cakes. The icing’s smooth texture and versatility make it a popular choice for decorating baked goods.

To begin, prepare your favorite cookie or cake recipe, then use the royal icing to add intricate designs or details. The icing can be tinted with food coloring to create a variety of colors and shades, expanding your creative possibilities.

Use piping bags and icing tips to create desired designs or simply spread the icing on the baked goods with a spatula for a more straightforward approach. This way, the leftover icing adorns your baked goods, giving them an extra layer of texture and flavor.

2 – Make Edible Glue

Royal icing is an excellent adhesive and can be used as edible glue in various baking projects. For example, if you’re making a gingerbread house, royal icing can be used as an adhesive to hold the pieces together.

Alternatively, you could use the icing to attach edible decorations to cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. This method is ideal for those who want to enhance the presentation of their baked goods with different designs.

When using royal icing as edible glue, it’s essential to ensure that the icing has the right consistency. Too runny, and it won’t hold, too thick, and it will be challenging to spread. Therefore, it’s crucial to adjust the consistency as needed to get the perfect consistency.

3 – Infuse Royal Icing into Drinks

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try adding some leftover royal icing to your drinks? Incorporating royal icing into drinks can add a unique sweetness to your favorite beverages.

To do this, take some of your leftover royal icing and mix it with a little bit of water until it becomes more liquidy. Then, add it to your favorite drinks. You can add the icing to hot beverages like tea, coffee, or even hot chocolate.

However, it can also work for cold beverages like smoothies or milkshakes. For an added touch, add whipped cream and sprinkles on top of the drink to make it even more decadent.

4 – Use as Cake/Frosting Filling

Another way to use up leftover royal icing is to use it as a cake or frosting filling. The icing’s creamy texture makes it an excellent addition to cakes, cupcakes, or pastries.

To do this, spread a layer of royal icing over one layer of cake, then place another layer of cake on top. Repeat until you’ve filled the cake or pastry with icing. The result is a delicious, decadent dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

If you’re using the leftover royal icing as frosting, you can add it as a layer on top of your cake to create a beautiful finish.

5 – Make Meringue topping

Meringue topping is a delightful way to use up leftover royal icing. Meringue is a simple dessert that can be made by combining egg whites, sugar, and a pinch of salt. However, royal icing will give the meringue a unique twist.

To create meringue topping using leftover royal icing, beat egg whites and a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. Gradually add the royal icing, stirring gently until it’s fully combined.

Then, spoon the meringue mixture onto a baking sheet and bake for a few minutes until it’s slightly browned. Serve your meringue as a sweet, crunchy topping for pies, tarts, or any baked treat that could use an extra touch of sweetness.

6 – Mix With Cream Cheese for Dip

If you have some leftover royal icing, you can mix it with cream cheese to make a delicious dip. Simply combine the leftover icing with softened cream cheese in a bowl and mix until fully combined. Add a splash of vanilla extract or lemon juice to enhance the flavor.

This sweet and tangy dip pairs well with fruits like strawberries, apples, and grapes. Alternatively, you can serve it with graham crackers or cookies.

7 – Create Candy Decorations

Leftover royal icing can be the perfect ingredient for making candy decorations. Simply pour the icing into a candy mold or shape it by hand, then let it harden in the refrigerator or freezer.

Once the icing has hardened, you can use it to decorate cakes, cupcakes, or any other baked goods that require a beautiful decorative touch. You can even gift these charming candy decorations to friends or family members.

8 – Use as a Glaze for Donuts or Pastries

Leftover royal icing can be an excellent glaze for donuts or pastries. To use it as a glaze, add a small amount of milk to the icing to thin it out. Then, dip the freshly baked donuts or pastries into the icing and let them cool.

If you prefer a thicker glaze, apply the icing with a pastry brush instead. You can also add different flavors to the icing, such as cinnamon or lemon, for additional taste options.

9 – Use in Cocktails

If you’re feeling daring, mix some leftover royal icing into your favorite cocktail for a sweeter twist. Simply stir the icing with the other cocktail ingredients and enjoy.

This method works well with drinks like White Russians, Irish Creams, or any other creamy cocktails. You’ll be surprised at how the sweetness of the icing can be an excellent complement to a tangy cocktail.

10 – Use as a Pudding Topping

If you have some leftover royal icing, it can be an excellent addition to a bowl of pudding. Take the cooled pudding and spoon some of the icing on top. You can mix the icing in or leave it on top to create an evenly distributed sweetness.

This simple addition can enhance the texture and taste of the pudding, making it a richer and more indulgent dessert. Plus, there’s no need to worry about creating a whole new dish since it combines with an already-prepared dessert.