1/8 cup meringue powder (such as Ateco; available in specialty food stores)
1/4 cup water
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
Food coloring
Step 1
To add a thin glaze of icing to cookies, or to prepare colorful and tasty Decorated Heart Cookies, Holiday Cookies, and Character Cookies, mix together the meringue powder, water, and sugar with an electric mixer. You may want to start with slightly less sugar and add more (up to 1 3/4 cups) until it is the right consistency. Tint the icing with a few drops of food coloring and spread it on cooled cookies using a small spatula or butter knife.
Step 2
For stiff icing that can be piped onto cookies with a pastry bag, mix together 1/8 cup meringue powder, 1/4 cup water, and at least 2 cups of powdered sugar. (Add up to 1/2 cup more of sugar if needed to achieve the necessary stiffness.) Separate the icing into several small dishes and tint with food coloring.
