Failed The Taste Test

It sounds like you didn't flavor it enough. It also doesn't taste egg-y (if that's the "after taste" you had) once it's dry.

I think it was the flavoring because it got better tasting after it set for an hour or so.  So far I'm really liking the way traditional icing flows on the cookie and my eyeball transfers have gone really well.  I've had way less center dips and craters. 

GoBakeItUp posted:

I think it was the flavoring because it got better tasting after it set for an hour or so.  So far I'm really liking the way traditional icing flows on the cookie and my eyeball transfers have gone really well.  I've had way less center dips and craters. 

Great - any egg-y taste or odor definitely dissipates as it dries.

I too have been experimenting with royal icing.  I have also made my icing with sugar, corn syrup, and flavoring in the past, which tastes great but I feel that using a recipe with meringue gives my cookies a better (less shiny) look.  However, I feel like there is a bit of an aftertaste with this ( a little bitter).  The recipe calls for sugar, cream of tartar, corn syrup, meringue and flavoring ( I use almond flavor).  I tried adding butter flavor and really hated the taste and smell.  What could be causing the bitter flavor? Any thoughts? Maybe I just need more flavoring too but I added a lot already.  

Mandy

Sadly I don't know.  I used pasteurized egg whites not meringue powder. I wasn't happy with the flat finish though.  So I started experimenting (which as we all know is not always a good thing lol) I ended up doing half royal and half glaze.  So far I'm happy with the results.  Its not as hard or as sweet as the royal icing but it does have more puff to it.  Still not as shiny as i want it though. 😀

Yes experimenting can get out of hand haha. I like your idea of mixing the two.