Vegan & Dye-Free Royal Icing
This is your vegan go-to royal icing for sugar cookies recipe for the holidays. Its festive coloring is dye-free and tastes amazing. It pairs perfectly with my Sugar Cutout Cookie recipe.
I generally try to avoid food dyes, so I found a healthier option: chlorophyll and blue spirulina. (More on their benefits below!) This chlorophyll is naturally peppermint flavored, so you don't need to add much extra - if any - for a minty flavored frosting. The blue spirulina is tasteless so adding a touch of vanilla is also optional.
What you'll need: Makes 2/3 cup
2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
2 Tbsp almond milk
1/4 cup cacao butter wafers, melted
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
5+ drops liquid chlorophyll
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp blue spirulina powder
How to make it:
Melt together coconut oil and cacao butter in a bowl (or liquid measuring glass) in 45 second increments in the microwave until liquified. Add in almond milk and powdered sugar. Whisk until fully combined and smooth (a handheld frother/blender works great). Let cool for about 5 minutes.
Divide frosting equally into two shallow plate-bowls.
Bowl 1: Mix in 1/2 tsp peppermint extract if desired. Drop about 5 drops of chlorophyll in; use a fork or toothpick swirl the drops around to give a marble effect, or just mix it all up.
Bowl 2: Mix in 1/2 tsp vanilla extract if desired. Then mix in the spirulina powder until it becomes the color you want.
Dip your sugar cookies into the icing face-down. Pull straight up and let excess drip off. Place back onto your tray and once all cookies have been dipped, place in the fridge to set completely before enjoying. Do not overlap.
Store either on the counter in an airtight container, or in the fridge. At room temperature, the frosting will become wet/sticky, but it won't change anything else.
Chlorophyll has natural pigment that gives the plants its green color and is known to have a wide range of health benefits from containing powerful antioxidants, promoting red and white blood cells, improving liver function, skin health, and so much more.
Blue Spirulina is actually one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. It's color comes from blue-green algae. Spirulina is 60% protein, contains 18 amino acids, and 10 of the 12 non-essential amino acids. It's also a great source of many other essential vitamins and minerals including copper, iron, manganese, potassium, B vitamins, and iodine.
