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A sugar-dominant, high-calorie icing with a high glycemic index; the red color usually comes from food coloring.
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 tablespoon (medium) of Red sugar icing (15 g) has 59 calories. That works out to 390 calories per 100 g. It contains 14.9 g of carbs, 0 g of protein, 0 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 65 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.
Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 15 g
59
KCAL / 15G
Carbs
14.9g
· 5% DV
Protein
0g
· 0% DV
Fat
0g
· 0% DV
Fiber
0g
· 0% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 100% · Protein 0% · Fat 0%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 59 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 0.75 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 14.9 g | 5% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Protein | 0 g | 0% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (medium) | 15 g | 59 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (small) | 5 g | 20 kcal |
| 2 teaspoon (medium) | 10 g | 39 kcal |
| 1 slice (thin) | 20 g | 78 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 25 g | 98 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (large) | 30 g | 117 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 35 g | 137 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 390 kcal |
| 1 cup (whole) | 240 g | 936 kcal |
Calculated from 390 calories per 100 g.
Make red sugar icing by mixing liquid a little at a time into powdered sugar until smooth, then stir in red food coloring. Add the coloring gradually so you can control the shade without making the icing too thin.
Red sugar icing is used to decorate cookies, cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts, and other baked treats. Spread it over a cooled surface or pipe on details; heat can make the icing run before it sets.
Red sugar icing dries firmer when it is mixed thickly and applied in a thin layer. Leave decorated treats uncovered at room temperature until the surface sets, and avoid stacking them while the icing is still tacky.
Red sugar icing is usually runny because it contains too much liquid. Mix in powdered sugar a little at a time until it holds its shape; liquid food coloring can also thin the mixture, so add it sparingly.
Use concentrated red gel food coloring to make red sugar icing vividly red without adding much liquid. Add it in small amounts and allow the color to develop before adding more, since the shade can deepen as the icing rests.
Yes, red sugar icing works well on completely cooled cookies. Spread it with a small spatula or pipe it from a bag; for neat outlines, use a thicker consistency around the edge and a slightly thinner one to fill the center.
Red sugar icing is a broad term for a sweet sugar-based coating, while royal icing is specifically made with egg white or meringue powder and powdered sugar. Royal icing is often chosen for firm, detailed decorations that need to hold their shape.
Thin red sugar icing by stirring in water or lemon juice a few drops at a time. Mix thoroughly between additions, because a small amount can change the consistency; add more powdered sugar if you thin it too much.
Store leftover red sugar icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator, with plastic wrap pressed against its surface to limit drying. Stir it before using again and add a few drops of liquid if it has thickened.
You can make red sugar icing without artificial food coloring by using a suitable concentrated natural red coloring, such as beet-based coloring. The result may be less vivid, and adding too much liquid coloring can make the icing runny.
Vitamins
Vitamin A
0µg · 0% DV
B1
0mg · 0% DV
B2
0mg · 0% DV
B3
0mg · 0% DV
Minerals
Iron
0.01mg · 0% DV
Sodium
0.75mg · 0% DV
Calcium
0.15mg · 0% DV
Potassium ⭐
0.3mg · 0% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 59 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (15 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Red sugar icing is a sweet coating made by mixing sugar, often powdered sugar, with a little water or lemon juice, then adding red food colouring. It is spread over cakes and biscuits or piped on in decorative lines and shapes.
It is glossy and soft while fresh, then sets into a thin, firmer layer. In the US and UK, it is commonly used to decorate celebration cakes, holiday biscuits and cupcakes; it also adds colour to homemade bakes served with tea or coffee. It is almost entirely carbohydrate, with 99.5 g per 100 g, so a little goes a long way. Pair it with a plain or lightly sweetened bake, and use a thin coating if you want the icing to be less dominant.
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Low
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 4
Ultra-Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
No known major allergens
Vegan
✓ Suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
0g
MONOUNSATURATED
0g
POLYUNSATURATED
0g
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.