Easy Sugar Cookie Icing
Ingredients
- 4 cpowdered sugar)
(480 grams
- 5 tbspmilk)
divided, plus more if needed (75 to 90 ml
- 4 tsplight corn syrup
- 1 tsppure or clear vanilla extract
- optional: gel or liquid food coloring
Directions
- 1
To make the outline icing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 5 tablespoons of milk, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined and no lumps remain. The mixture will be pretty thick at this point.
- 2
Mix in 1 additional teaspoon of milk at a time until the icing has thinned out and reached an outline consistency. To test the icing, lift the whisk or spoon from the mixing bowl; you should see ribbons of icing that fall back into the bowl for 3 to 4 seconds. If needed, add more milk to thin out the icing or more powdered sugar to make it thicker.
- 3
Mix in the food coloring (if using) until fully combined. Remove ⅓ of the mixture for the outline icing and set aside.
- 4
To make the flood icing: Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of milk at a time to the remaining two-thirds of the mixture until the icing reaches a flood consistency. When you lift your whisk or spoon from the bowl, the icing should quickly melt back into the bowl of icing.
- 5
To decorate your cookies: Place the outline icing and flood icing in separate piping bags, and cut a small piece of the tip off each one. Outline each cookie with the outline icing, then use the flood icing to fill in the cookie. Use a toothpick if needed to move the icing around and fill in any empty spots.
- 6
Place the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container, and allow the icing to harden fully for about 20 to 24 hours before stacking the cookies.
Easy Sugar Cookie Icing
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 12 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Ready to elevate your holiday cookies with an icing that's as beautiful as it is delicious? This Easy Sugar Cookie Icing delivers on all fronts, providing a smooth, glossy finish that hardens perfectly without becoming too crunchy.
The secret to this "best ever" sugar cookie icing lies in its balanced composition. It combines powdered sugar with light corn syrup for that ideal hard-but-not-crunchy texture, while pure vanilla extract infuses every bite with a comforting, familiar flavor. Plus, it’s designed to be effortlessly colored for any festive occasion, making your decorating a breeze.
You can expect a glossy, smooth finish that dries firm enough for stacking but yields with a gentle bite, avoiding the brittle snap of some royal icings. The prominent vanilla essence shines through, complementing the sweetness of your cookies beautifully. Its smooth consistency makes it a joy to work with, whether you're outlining or flooding your festive shapes.
This versatile sugar cookie icing is perfect for customizing. Easily transform it for Christmas with vibrant reds and greens, or adapt for any holiday with your favorite gel or liquid food coloring. To achieve slightly different consistencies for outlining or flooding, you can adjust the amount of milk slightly, adding a tiny bit more if you need a thinner flow.
This vanilla-flavored icing is ideal for decorating your favorite sugar cookies, transforming simple baked goods into edible works of art. It's perfect for holiday platters, bake sales, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of coffee or tea.