This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.
Upgrade your sugar cookies with this easy sugar cookie icing recipe that hardens for a glossy and beautiful finish. So much easier than royal icing, this frosting makes decorating a cinch and the cookies are stackable!
Sugar Cookie Icing that Hardens
While royal icing decorated cookies are beautiful, making the icing isn’t easy. Plus you need special ingredients to make it (meringue powder or raw egg whites). I’ve made royal icing before and I love the way it looks but It’s just too much work. That’s why I created a simple cookie frosting that hardens.
My sugar cookie icing is simple to make, easy to double the batch, and dries hard for stacking, making it the perfect frosting recipe for any holiday or any occasion where you want gorgeous cutout cookies!
Sugar Cookie Icing Ingredients
- Powdered Sugar– a few cups of confectioners’ sugar is the bulk of the icing
- Milk– to bring the frosting together
- Corn syrup– light corn syrup to add texture
- Food coloring– if you want different colors of icing, or leave it white. I used gel food coloring for this cookie icing recipe.
Best Icing Consistency
The perfect consistency for outlining and flooding is thin enough that it drizzles off the whisk but takes a few seconds to disappear into the back into the mixture. This way you only need one consistency icing for both – no need to add more liquid – one and done!
SAVE THIS RECIPE
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Dorothy’s Testing Notes
- For an enhanced flavor and a frosting that tastes so good, add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to your cookie frosting mix. You can also add a few drops of almond extract or lemon extract or any flavor.
- If the frosting is too sweet for your liking, add a pinch of salt.
- The right consistency should be thin enough that it drizzles, but thick enough that it takes a few seconds to disappear back into the mixture.
- For best results, use gel food coloring and don’t add too much. The more you add (especially if using water-based food coloring) the more your icing will thin.
- If the icing is too thick for piping, add a bit more milk.
- Store icing covered so it doesn’t dry out.
Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups (226g) powdered sugar
- 2-4 Tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons corn syrup
- Food coloring, if desired
Instructions
- Add powdered sugar to a large mixing bowl. Add 2 tablespoons milk and corn syrup.
- Whisk until combined, adding more milk 1 TEASPOON at a time until you reach the right consistency.
- It should be thin enough that it drizzles but thick enough that it takes a few seconds to disappear back into the mixture.
- Divide icing into bowls and tint with food coloring. Place in piping bags fitted with #2 or #4 tips or use squeeze bottles.
- Decorate cookies as desired. Let sit at room temperature for several hours for the frosting to set before stacking.
Notes
- For an enhanced flavor, add vanilla extract to your cookie frosting mix. Or use any extract for new flavors!
- The right consistency should be thin enough that it drizzles, but thick enough that it takes a few seconds to disappear back into the mixture.
- For best results, use gel food coloring and don’t add too much. The more you add (especially if using water-based food coloring) the more your icing will thin.
- If the icing is too thick for piping, add a bit more milk.
- Store icing covered so it doesn’t dry out.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Crazy for Crust. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization is strictly prohibited.
Did you try this recipe? Click here to rate the recipe below.
How to make Sugar Cookie Icing
- Start by making sure your powdered sugar does not have lumps. Always add corn syrup and flavorings first.
- The icing will be nice and white and disappear on itself when drizzled.
FAQs
That depends on the recipe. Sugar Cookie Icing like this one is not royal icing. Royal icing has meringue powder or egg whites, whereas cookie icing uses corn syrup to help it dry.
If the icing is too thin for piping, add more powdered sugar.
Takes several hours for the cookie icing to harden. You can leave then to dry overnight.
Yes the cookies are stackable once the icing sets.
You can freeze the iced sugar cookies in an airtight container for up to one month.
Does it have to be corn syrup?
Yes for the recipe to work properly
What can I use instead of milk ? Need to make vegetarian recipes for a baby shower
For this recipe you can use any plant-based milk.
Featured In
Rate This Recipe
Recipe Ratings without Comment