Slide the spoon down the center of the bowl, touching the bottom. Count how long it takes the line to disappear from the icing. You want it to take 13-15 seconds.
Using a tall cup, place the piping bag inside of the cup, making sure you flatten the tip of the bag downward on the cup. Scoop or pour the icing into the bag making sure not to get icing on the overhang of the piping bag on the outside of the cup.
Color royal icing as many colors as you would like, we chose pink, orange, green, blue, and yellow. Remember to lighten up the color to a pastel, you will need to add white gel food coloring.
Fill each of the piping bags with their respective colors and seal off the open end.
Cut the tip slightly and test how the icing flows out the bag. Remember to cut a small hole in the tip first, then gradually make it larger. If you cut too much off at once, you will have to create a new bag.
Once you have a flow of icing that does not hurt your hands and is easily managed, outline the cookie with icing.