Hey Bestie! One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is how to properly store your royal icing. So today I’m sharing all the tips and tricks to preserve and extend the life of your royal icing! After all, it takes a considerable amount of time and energy to make royal icing, different colors and consistencies. Fortunately, there’s no reason to waste any of your icing if stored properly and it’s super simple to do. So we’ll cover the best ways to store royal icing and cover all the FAQs too! Let’s go!
How to store royal icing
I want to preface this by saying that this guidance is for royal icing made with meringue powder. It is much more shelf-stable than icing made with egg whites. I personally only make royal icing with meringue powder for all the benefits, with storage and shelf life being a couple of those.
And if there’s one thing you take away from this, let it be this. Exposure to air when storing royal icing is your worst enemy. Regardless of whether it’s being stored at room temp, in the fridge, or freezer, eliminating air exposure is the biggest priority. If you’ve worked with royal icing for any amount of time, you’ll know that icing will start to crust when exposed to air for even a few minutes. And if your bowl of icing starts crusting, you’ll end up with lumps.
So if you’re actively working from a bowl of icing, you can drape a wet towel over the bowl, but if it won’t be used for more than 30 minutes, I highly suggest placing plastic wrap over the surface of your icing. Plastic wrap is your best friend when it comes to preserving royal icing and eliminating air exposure. Even if using airtight containers, unless your icing is filled to the brim, it’s still exposed to the air inside the container. If my icing isn’t in a piping bag, it is being stored with plastic wrap over the surface. This is what my bowl usually looks like when I’m actively working from it.
How long does royal icing last?
Room temperature
Royal icing made with meringue powder is technically good for 2 weeks at room temperature. That said, in my experience, I either use all my icing or freeze if it’s not used within a week. I find it starts to thin and structure weakens if it sits for more than a week at room temp. Again, plastic wrap over the surface to eliminate any air exposure. Whether in a bowl or inside a container, the plastic wrap on the surface is the most important factor.
When ready to use again, restir your icing by hand. Royal icing does tend to thin and separate when sitting for long periods of time undisturbed. But putting it back into the mixer can affect the structure and introduce additional air, so hand stirring is best. Fair warning…icing can look gross after sitting for a few days due to separation. But a simple restir will have it back to looking great. And if it has thinned in consistency at all, feel free to hand mix in a little powdered sugar to thicken up.
refrigeration
From a food safety perspective, royal icing remains good for 3-4 weeks in the fridge, if stored properly. And note that refrigeration can firm icing up or appear thicker until brought closer to room temp again. So always best to let the icing get closer to room temp before judging consistency.
Honestly, the only time I really refrigerate my royal icing is if I’ve prepped piping bags for cookie kits before they go out the door. Otherwise, I leave my icing at room temp or freeze if it won’t be used soon.
freezing
Royal icing remains good for up to 3 months when frozen properly. Store with plastic wrap over the surface of your icing, inside an airtight container. I recommend dating your icing for easy reference. And when ready to use your royal icing again, it will thaw quickly. I’m always surprised at how quickly icing thaws. Remove from the freezer, let it thaw on the counter or in the fridge until it can be stirred by hand again. This usually only takes about an hour if thawing at room temp.
Royal icing storage FAQs
Answers to your most frequently asked questions about storing royal icing!
Can you leave royal icing out overnight? Absolutely! Icing in piping bags can be left at room temp in those bags. Icing in a bowl or container should have plastic wrap over the surface of the icing to eliminate any air exposure.
Why does my icing separate/thin after sitting for extended periods of time? This is normal for royal icing and it more noticeable with thinner consistencies that contain more water. There’s nothing wrong with this icing but ideally should be restirred. Powdered sugar can be added to thicken up if needed as well.
Will royal icing get dry or crust in piping bags? While an open tip of a piping bag may crust, the icing inside will not get dry or crust since it’s not exposed to the air. Royal icing in piping bags can be stored at room temp, refrigerated or frozen.
Can I freeze my royal icing right in the piping bags? Absolutely! This is very common. Most cookiers put their piping bags inside a large Ziploc or another airtight container to freeze.
Can I combine fresh icing with icing that has been frozen? I don’t advise it, simply because I’ve worked with so many cookiers who experience icing issues when they combine icings this way. I always finish one batch of icing before using another.
Can royal icing go bad? Yes. If you notice a sour smell, mold, unusual discoloration or texture that won’t recombine, it’s best to toss it.
What are the best containers for freezing royal icing? Airtight is always best! Here are a few containers I love for storing and freezing.
No need to waste your royal icing!
I hope this post all about how to store royal icing was helpful and gives you confidence to preserve your icing longer. Time, energy and money goes into that royal icing and fortunately, if stored properly, there’s no need to waste any. And there’s nothing better than realizing you already have some icing made!
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Never occurred to me to freeze leftover RI, love that idea.
I try to use my leftover stiff RI to make flowers for future use but have no clue as to how long they are good for! What’s your best guess on that?
Hi Sandi, flower transfers are good for months. Some would say forever. Just store at room temp.
Thank you so much for the info you share, I have learned so much about things I thought I already knew!🙂