Royal Icing to complete the Christmas Cake

December 20, 6:48 PMPasco County Food ExaminerSusan Slade

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The icing to complete this cake

This is the perfect icing for any special cakes, such as Christmas, Easter, and Wedding Cakes.

The recipe I used for my Christmas cake, including the marzipan, and the Royal Icing, when sealed in an airtight tin, will keep for years. The cake I had at my first wedding, back in 1967, the bottom cake was used on the day, and then the top cake, for the christening of my daughter, 3 years later. I have to say that it is an expensive cake and extremely rich, but well worth the effect. I cannot buy a similar one here in the states.

You will need 2 extra large egg whites.

16 ounces of icing (powdered) sugar.

1 tablespoon of lemon juice.

Put the 2 egg whites in a large mixing bowl and whisk lightly. Add the 16 ounces of sieved, icing sugar, and the lemon juice. Beat the mixture hard, being careful not to get too much of the icing sugar, over the counter top, or in your face. Continue beating until the mixture is shiny, looks really white in color, and will hold it's shape. You cannot over beat it, and more it better.

The cake, with the marzipan, should now be ready to be iced. I put spoonfuls of icing, on the top and the sides, of the cake. Then I get a palette knife and dip it in warm water. This makes it easier to spread the icing over the cake. I continue doing it until the cake is covered and completely smooth.  

Some people like to put a second coating of icing on their cake, but I don't find this necessary. If you plan on putting a Father Christmas, Snowmen, and/or trees, etc., on top of the cake, you don't even have to get it perfect. You can always use the leftover marzipan to create decorations for the top as well.

When the top and sides are completed, if you still have icing left you can use it to decorate the cake. Once the cake is set, use a piping bag, and make flowers, shells, stars, etc.

This is the Christmas cake I made every year when living in England. As my daughter grew she helped me with the icing, and placing the decorations. It was so much fun and an amazing cake.  Recipe for marzipan, and for the cake.