I'm going to try royal icing for the first time - top tips please

[deaconblue]

Having watched miranda's perfect cup cakes on the British Bake off last night I want to try something different from my usual buttercream or glace icing. Any top tips gratefully received

I cheat and buy instant royal icing online for £3.99 for 500g - pretty cheap all things considered. You mix it with water. I am presently awaiting 5kg of the stuff as I have 200 cupcakes to make for Saturday feels faint.

I missed that programme last night. Standing my efforts this weekend I should really get it on iPlayer!

She made really pretty cakes. 200! thank goodness I'm just making 24 for a MAcmillan coffee morning :)

Lots of lemon.

Why not make a chocolate ganache to top some cakes? Melt double cream and chocolate. Mmmm!