Gather the supplies

• Use tipless disposable piping bags, no metal tips needed.
• Keep a scribe or a toothpick on hand to move the icing and pop air bubbles.
• Have gel food coloring ready, never liquid coloring, which is too watery.

Mix the royal icing

• Combine the powdered sugar, meringue powder, water and vanilla extract in a bowl.
• Add the light corn syrup if using.
• Beat until smooth and thick enough to pipe.

Color the icing

• Divide the icing and tint each portion with gel food coloring until vibrant.
• Transfer to the piping bags and snip the tips off.

Decorate the cookies

• Pipe the icing onto the sugar cookies using the cookie cutters for the shapes.
• Use the scribe or toothpick to spread the icing and pop any air bubbles.