How Long Can You Really Keep Royal Icing?

Baking By giraffe11 Updated 7 Apr 2009 , 12:19am by giraffe11

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giraffe11 Posted 6 Apr 2009 , 12:54am
post #1 of 4

I have seen people on here say that they can keep royal icing for several weeks in a closed container. Is this true? Don't you worry about bacteria or mold? How old is too old? Thanks, Heather

3 replies
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antonia74 Posted 6 Apr 2009 , 9:46pm
post #2 of 4

If it was made with meringue powder, you can store it in a Ziploc bag (with the excess air pushed out of it) or in a very clean Tupperware container (press plastic wrap right against the surface of the icing inside to prevent it from crusting.) These can be stored for long term in the fridge/freezer (though it's not my favourite solution for brightly-coloured/dark icings, I find they don't regain their consistency perfectly IMHO), BUT they can also stay out at cool room temp (in shade, not stored in direct sunlight/heat) for 4-6 weeks, no problem. There's no worry about mold, it contains nothing in it that will rot/mold.

You'll see that it will separate into three layers of liquid/solids/foam after a while....but it just needs re-whipping to use it again. If you think you haven't stored it well or for too long, just give it a sniff before you use it. If it smells slightly alcoholic, just throw it out. It's not so costly that you should ever risk using it if you think it's gone off. Just throw it out!


If it was made with egg whites, it needs to go into your fridge or freezer. Same thing though, it will need to be re-whipped before using it again.

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sadsmile Posted 6 Apr 2009 , 10:02pm
post #3 of 4

I have tried saving royal icing and it got all gross and melty and smelly after letting it come to room temp and trying to re-use the leftovers that I had stored in a sealed ziplock in the fridge. YUCK! Not worth it to me so I just make as much as I am going to need by cutting the recipe in quarters.

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giraffe11 Posted 7 Apr 2009 , 12:19am
post #4 of 4

Thanks a lot. I usually use Antonia74's royal icing recipe and I have some that I stored in ziploc screw-on containers about 2 weeks ago. I did not put plastic wrap on the suface, but the containers were filled pretty close to the top, so maybe that helped. There doesn't seem to be a crust, but it has separated, of course. I am making Easter cookies this week. i have to make more icing anyway, as there won't be enough, but at least I would already have orange and yellow done. I am going to give it a try. Thanks for the advice.
Heather

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