:: A Royal Recipe ::

Basic Royal Icing

:: Megann’s Kitchen ::

:: making planetary cookies - swirling colours & finishing with glitter ::

Royal Icing is quite beautiful & not to mention delicious. It adds a sugary, hardened crunch to semi-sweet cookies, cupcakes & cakes with magnificent results. I also love the creativity that you can generate with different techniques, colours & decorations.
The cookies featured are made with my Vanilla Bean & Gingerbread recipe - perfect for a novelty cookie of your choice.

The Royal Icing

1 egg white, lightly whisked

2 cups (320g) pure icing sugar, sifted

1 Tbs lemon juice

water

To make the royal icing, place the egg white in a small bowl & beat with electric mixer/beaters until well aerated. Gradually adding the icing sugar ½ a cup at a time, mixing well between each addition. Add the lemon juice (or any flavourings) & any additional water, stirring until a thick & creamy consistency. Add desired colours. Fit a piping bag with a No. 4 plain nozzle. Spoon the icing into the prepared bag. Pipe icing onto each gingerbread figure and decorate. Set aside for at least 30 minutes to allow the icing to set.

:: cookies for an Owl Themed Party for a hoot of a time ::

Kitchen Notes

:: For chocolate icing, leave out the lemon juice & add 1 Tbs sifted cocoa powder.

:: For vanilla icing, add 1tsp-2tsp pure vanilla extract.

:: If wanting to create a layered effect of colours & flavours, allow the icing to set before adding different layers of icing on top. If not properly dry, the colour will bleed into the other or emerge into other icings.

:: I am in LOVE with edible glitter for novelty cookies… it adds a festive touch for any special occasion, especially Christmas! It can be expensive, but you only require a little. Available at all good specialty baking & decorating stores.

:: kids love to squeeze out a little creativity ::

Little Larder

:: Kids just adore decorating with friends, allowing their creative minds soar. I portion out royal icing into small bowls & choose a variety of colours. I then place the icing into disposable icing bags, sealing it off with a rubber band so it doesn’t emerge out the wrong end. Snip a tiny section off the ends off the icing bag, place a wet wipe at the bottom of a plastic cup (to prevent drying) & place the icing bags tip down into each one. I grab a selection of sprinkles for them to choose from, creating a super cool decorating station, & let the creativity begin…  Oh, & keep those wipes handy!

:: cookies for a "by the Waters Edge" - nautical themed party ::

Quick Kitchen

:: Royal Icing can also be purchased in a packet mix, such as Queen brand, available from all good supermarkets in the baking section & specialty baking stores.

:: Disposable icing bags, such a the Multixbrand, can also be purchased from supermarkets & specialty baking stores.

:: "Ruldolf the red nosed reindeer" Christmas Cookies ::

:: iced & packaged - ready for hungry party guests to eat now or take-away ::

Enjoy decorating your cookies as much as we do here in Megann's Kitchen!

:: Easy Kitchen KitchenAid Competition ::

A KitchenAid Ultimate Giveaway

:: Megann’s  Kitchen ::

:: KitchenAid products are loved in my kitchen ::

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh! We finally have it, a KitchenAid product to giveaway to Megann’s Kitchen devotees just in time to wrap up & put under the Christmas tree. Megann’s Kitchen has joined forces with Kitchenware Direct in order to bring you this fantastic prize of a KitchenAid Artisan Hand Mixer your personal choice of White, Pink or Black. Can you tell I am excited?

:: the KitchenAid Artisan Hand Mixer to GIVEAWAY ::

No room in your tiny kitchen? Always wanted a quality hand held mixer for Christmas Day preparations? Want to whip a cake together in seconds? This completion is FOR YOU!

:: mixing ingredients together with the KitchenAid for cookies ::

the Competition Sponsor

Welcome to another Megann’s Kitchen’s ultimate giveaway from my Easy Kitchen. Kitchenware Direct has kindly provided us with some products from Easy Kitchen’s featured post of the KitchenAid Artisan Rangehttp://www.kitchenwaredirect.com.au/search?q=KitchenAid. Click through Kitchenware Direct to find some great KitchenAid products on their web site at a fantastic price, plus read the Megann's Kitchen review here.

My personal Giveaway criteria

The products that I offer as giveaways have been generously contributed by a participating company that meet strict Megann’s Kitchen criteria. These aren’t just any products, no no! These ultimate kitchen giveaway pieces are by brands that are currently used & loved in my kitchen. I simply want to pass on to you what I believe every kitchen should have.

How to Enter…

Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post or the Megann’s Kitchen Facebook page answering this simple question- in approximately 25 words or less:

:: one of the potential colour choices to win ::

“How would a KitchenAid Artisan Hand Mixer help make your life in your kitchen easier?”

Like this competition? Don’t forget to sign up to join both Megann’s Kitchen blog site & Facebook page for more chances to WIN. Not to mention find out about future fantastic giveaways! See right of screen.

Terms & Conditions

•    There is one amazing chance to win: KitchenWare Direct has provided us with one KitchenAid Artisan KHM720 Hand mixer, colour of YOUR CHOICE (white, pink or black)! Thank you.

•    The competition commences 11:59pm A.E.D.S.T on Friday 9th November 2012. Entries close 11.59pm A.E.D.S.T on Wednesday 12^th December, 2012 – just in time for Christmas postage to your door!

•    Good NEWS! You can enter as many times as you like through commenting on this post or the Megann’s Kitchen Facebook Page.

•    Each individual entry will be judged based on literary and creative merit, then placed into a draw of 10 finalists. The winning entry will be extracted from a draw of 10 finalists, based on chance.

•    Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable & cannot be taken as cash.

•    The total RRP of the prize is AU $119.95

•    Winners will be announced on Megann’s Kitchen blog site & Facebook page. Keep on clicking in to see if you are a winner!

•    Due to the Australian power outlet compatibility, the competition is open to AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS ONLY, sorry.

:: you too can create fluffy egg whites with your hand mixer ::

Thank you for entering... & good luck!

Please Note: this is not a paid endorsement – Megann’s Kitchen personally sources & only “promotes” products that are dearly loved, tried & tested over many uses in the kitchen. It’s all about pure joy & sharing my kitchen with you.

and the WINNER is....

The winner of the Megann's Kitchen Hand Held Artisan KitchenAid Comptetion is... Mandy Lung! Congratulations! A well deserved winner with many brilliant entries, your colour choice from Kitchenware Direct awaits.  Please email megannskitchen@gmail.com with your details & colour preference & hopefully KWD dispatch can get it to you by Christmas :)