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Once hardened, if properly stored, royal icing decorations never soften or crumble and can be kept indefinitely. Store the decorations in an airtight container, out of direct light (which could fade colors).

If you live in an area with high humidity, prepare your royal icing using only pure cane confectioners’ sugar (not dextrose or beet sugar); add a bit less liquid and add 1 teaspoon more Meringue Powder to the recipe.