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Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe

4.6 from 104 reviews

This simple and versatile sugar cookie icing recipe creates a smooth, glossy icing perfect for decorating sugar cookies. With a base of powdered sugar, milk, and corn syrup, you can customize the color using your favorite food coloring to make vibrant designs that harden to a shiny finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Icing Ingredients

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
  • Food coloring, as needed

Instructions

  1. Sift Sugar and Mix Extracts: Sift the powdered sugar to remove lumps, then combine it with the light corn syrup and vanilla or almond extract in a mixing bowl. Stir until thoroughly blended.
  2. Add Milk Gradually: Add the milk slowly, about 1 teaspoon at a time, mixing continuously until you reach the desired consistency for your icing. The goal is a smooth, spreadable but slightly stiff texture.
  3. Color the Icing: Incorporate food coloring drop by drop, stirring well after each addition until the desired hue is achieved. Adjust amounts to reach vibrant or pastel tones based on preference.

Notes

  • Adding milk gradually is key to controlling the icing consistency. Thicker icing is better for piping details, while thinner icing works for flooding cookies.
  • Light corn syrup helps give the icing a glossy finish and prevents crystallization.
  • You can substitute almond extract with vanilla or use other extracts for different flavor profiles.
  • For best results, decorate cookies within a few hours of icing application before it hardens.

Keywords: sugar cookie icing, royal icing alternative, simple cookie frosting, cookie decoration, sweet glaze