If you have leftover royal icing from a baking project, you want to be able to safely store it so that it doesn't go to waste.You can keep royal icing in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or the freezer for 1 month.
Step 1: Transfer your unused royal icing to a clean bowl.
Put your royal icing into a bowl with a clean spoon or spatula.If you have leftover icing in a piping bag, you can put it in your storage container.It is okay to leave it in the mixing bowl if it is still there when you first made it.When working with royal icing, make sure to use clean utensils and bowls.
Step 2: The dishcloth should be over the mixing bowl.
Put a clean dish rag in the water.Lay it over the bowl so that it isn't dripping wet.It should not touch the icing.The damp dishcloth helps keep the icing soft.
Step 3: If you don't want to use cloth, use plastic wrap.
Put a piece of plastic wrap in the bowl so it touches the icing.Wrap the rim of the bowl with plastic.There is no need to use a damp dishcloth if you do this.Laying the plastic wrap flat against the icing helps keep it out of the air.
Step 4: Put a large dinner plate over the container.
To hold your towel in place, you may need to place a heavy plate over the bowl.Put the container on the bowl if it has a lid that will fit.If you are using plastic wrap, try to use a container that has an air-tight lid to help prolong the life of your royal icing.
Step 5: The icing can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
If you want to keep the icing moist and fresh, you should replace the hand towel every 4 or 5 days.If you notice that the plastic wrap is loose, you don't need to replace it.Cut onions should be kept as far away from the icing as possible.To remind you of how long the icing is good for, put a piece of masking tape on the container.
Step 6: You can store the icing in the fridge for a month.
If you use a damp towel, replace it with a clean and damp one every 4-5 days to keep the icing moist and fresh.If the plastic has come loose, you don't need to replace it.You could store the royal icing at room temperature instead of in the fridge for up to 2 weeks if you used meringue powder.To remember how long the storage container will last, label it with the "prepared on" date.
Step 7: Allow the icing to come to room temperature first.
When you are ready to use the royal icing, take it out of the fridge, cover it, and let it come to room temperature.It will take about an hour for the icing to warm up.Make sure the icing is at the right consistency by using your mixer.If the icing is not smooth and has an off consistency, it needs to be discarded.If you used the mixing bowl that goes with your stand mixer, all you have to do is put it in.You will need a clean spatula or spoon to transfer icing into a bowl.
Step 8: Transfer your icing into a bag with a clean spatula.
Make sure your utensils are clean, then spoon your royal icing into quart- or gallon-sized freezer-safe bags, depending on how much you have to store.If your icing is in a bag, squeeze it out.
Step 9: The icing should be pushed to the bottom of the bag.
If you can get the icing down to the bottom of the bag, you'll be able to squeeze out the air that gets trapped in the corners.As you seal the bag, push out as much air as you can.If you have them, use the bags that are reinforced for maximum security.
Step 10: Put the sealed bag into a larger bag.
It helps to protect your icing from freezer burn.Take your sealed bag full of icing and put it in another bag.Push the air out of that one as well.The first bag is wrapped in aluminum foil before being put into the second bag.
Step 11: The icing can be kept in the freezer for up to a month.
Don't put anything else on top of the bag if you can, lay it flat on a smooth surface in the freezer.It is okay to stack one bag on top of another.If you freeze royal icing with egg-whites or with meringue powder, the storage time is the same.The bag should be labeled with the "prepared on" date so you know when to use it.
Step 12: Before using the royal icing, it's best to chill it at room temperature.
When you are ready to use your icing, take it out of the freezer and put it on the counter to thaw.Leave it in the bag while it thaws.It will take 1-2 hours for the icing to thaw, and you will know when it is ready.If you can, take your icing out of the freezer the night before you need to use it to thaw it.If your kitchen is warm, place the icing in the fridge to thaw out rather than on the counter.
Step 13: Do not use royal icing on baked goods if you want to modify it.
Use a clean spatula or spoon to transfer your frozen icing to the bowl.Before using it on baked goods, make sure to mix it up again.If you notice that the consistency has changed after you change the icing, it is time to discard it.You can squeeze the icing into the bowl if you don't want to use a spatula.