Is there anything I can add to normal icing to make it a bit 'harder'?

[Holymoly321]

AM going to ice a load of home-made biscuits tonight, for a party tomorrow. Just wondering if there is anything I can add to normal icing made with just icing sugar and water that will make it go a bit 'harder' when it's set?

glycerine

yeah, how much? Just a drop? Think I may actually have some of that in the cupboard.

actually I think it may have the opposite effect oops it stops royal icing going crusty.

but wouldn't have a massive effect I wouldn't have thought, its only a drop.

I would make sure you have quite a high percentage of icing sugar to water, iyswim.

Can you get to the shops and buy either fondant icing sugar - it sets firmer - or royal icing sugar + glycerine to make it softer than normal royal icing?

nigella uses 2 tablespoons v hot water plus 300g icing sugar for biscuits.

Yep, royal icing sugar - or make it with normal icing sugar mixed with egg white. And make sure you can leave them to stand and dry after icing, without having to move them...avoids those irritating cracks! Good luck....enjoy the party

thanks ladies, had to go with normal icing as didn'thave anything else in the house. But I'm sure the kids won't even notice if the icing doesn't look perfect!