I would like to learn to pipe royal icing, in 2022...

[lucysmam]

Could anyone recommend any you-tubers/books/other resources I could take a look at?

My aim is to create an EPIC gingerbread house next Christmas 🤣

Tia!

Yes! I am here with you! I love those cookie decorating videos!

Bumping in the hopes someone will recommend somewhere for me to start

It’s all to do with the texture of the icing and the muscle memory in your fingers and wrists.

Google pressure piping, get some grease proof paper bags and some proper PME tips and practise loads directly on your kitchen worktop to get a really good feel for it.

Eddie Spence is the king of royal icing but his book is pretty expensive!

Thank you @Byeckythump. I'll have a google and look up the book too. I do have a little bit of Christmas money to spend so may have a look for a second hand copy.

THere must be youtube videos. It’s not that difficult. I learnt as a teenager and I’m pretty useless domestically. You need a spinning cake tray/plate. It’s easy because if it goes wrong you can wipe it off when it’s still wet.

I used to make royal icing by hand and it took ages and my arms were aching. It’s very satisfying though.

There are so many Dobby, I just wasn't sure where to start 🤷‍♀️

Did royal icing at school many years ago. You need VERY strong hands for this!!😂

YouTube is actually much more helpful than the books IMO, and I have lots of the books.

Practice is the thing. I started making gingerbread biscuits with my kid in lockdown and although I haven't made that many batches (3?) I found this year I was actually quite good. Knowing how think or how runny you want the icing is key. I use packet royal icing if I can get it, for consistency. Good disposable icing bags and the right tips make a world of difference.

I buy the royal icing in a box that you just add water to - Whitworth’s I think it is. As pp said, get some bags and tips and have a play. Once you know the shapes you can make with the various tips your only restriction is your imagination (and ability to make the gingerbread house square - trim the pieces AFTER baking or you’ll never manage it).

Make your own royal icing - the royal bakers one is lovely. My tips;

Dried egg powder is good, especially if you don’t want to have to keep cakes/biscuits in the fridge.

Keep whats left in the bowl moist whilst piping by putting a damp towel over the bowl of icing.

Try adding a little glycerin if you want the icing to remain soft and not break your teeth once set 😁

Rough designs onto baking paper, then pipe them. Practise makes perfect - snowflakes, patterns etc. As you get used to the technique you’ll be able to copy it onto biscuits cakes

I’d also invest in a set of icing tools - you can get them at most supermarkets - will make moving the icing around to suit your needs much easier.

I’m no expert - just learning in fact. I’d love to do a proper course.

I love butter icing, can have so much fun with it. But royal icing is fab too. Know what you mean about the epic gingerbread house!

Thank you; I do have some bags and tips already - I've just never really used them. I'll keep an eye out for the royal icing sugar in a box and have a google for dried egg powder, I didn't know that was a thing!

I'm not planning to shop for a couple of weeks so will have a hunt on youtube & watch some videos/do some planning of patterns in the meantime and see how far I get.

There's probably a fair bit of help on Instagram too. Bread bakers use it a lot for help, inspiration & tips. So I expect cake people do too.

Thanks Wombat, I don't often use Instagram - more have it so I can follow dd1 & keep track of what she's up to. I'll have a hunt on there too.

It's occurred to me, after reading your reply, that Reddit probably has a sub or seven as well so I'll look on there as well.

There are two I follow who both give timings on their icing, so 20 second consistency etc.
Haniela and SweetAmbs. Both have subscriptions I believe but there is a lot of free content and tutorials on their website.