Storing & Using Royal Icing

One of the best parts of cookie decorating is having icing ready to go whenever inspiration strikes. The good news is—you can reuse your icing! With the right storage methods, you’ll save time, reduce waste, and always have icing on hand for your next decorating session.

I like to make icing in large quantities—quad batches at a time—and then freeze what I don’t immediately need. Storing icing properly ensures it’s still fresh and workable when you’re ready to decorate.

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How To Store Icing:

Many people use a bowl with cellophane to store their icing short term. However, I got tired of the cellophane, always falling into my cookies or crusting over.

For me, the easiest way to do it is in deli containers that are air tight. Deli containers are easy to stack, store, and I know the exact quantity I’m going to need for my orders:

• 2 cup container: base floods 16 cookies

• 4 cup container: base floods 32 cookies

You can find all of the storage supplies I use on my Amazon Storefront

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How Long Is Icing Good For:

I typically make my icing at the beginning of the month. This allows me to have more time to focus on the cookies instead of making a new batch of icing every week. One of the common questions I get asked is: How long does realizing last?

Here’s a quick guide:

• On the counter: Good for about 1 week

• In the refrigerator: Lasts up to 2 weeks

• In the freezer: Keeps for around 3 months

After those timeframes, icing begins to separate, and the quality isn’t the same.

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What To Do When Icing Separates

If your icing has separated, don’t panic—you can remix it! However, keep in mind that every time you remix icing after it separates, it will break down faster. Eventually, you’ll start noticing problems:

• Bleeding spots on your cookies

• Butter bleed, where fat from the cookie seeps into the icing

• Speckling or color bleed, making designs look uneven

These issues happen because the icing has been reworked too many times.

Below are some very old pictures of instances where this has happened:

Knowing When to Toss It

As much as we want to save every drop of icing, there comes a point where it’s best to toss it and start fresh. If your icing is consistently separating or you’re noticing butter bleed and color issues, it’s time to let it go. Fresh icing will always give you the cleanest lines and most vibrant colors.

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Final Thoughts

Reusing icing is a great way to stay efficient in your cookie decorating, but knowing the limits is key. Store it properly, remix when needed, and don’t hesitate to start over when the quality just isn’t there. Your cookies (and your customers!) will thank you.

Happy Mixing Cookie Lovers!

-Ashley B.