Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe

Introduction

Sugar cookie icing is a simple and sweet glaze that adds the perfect finishing touch to your favorite cookies. This easy-to-make icing is smooth, glossy, and customizable with different colors and flavors. It’s ideal for decorating festive treats or everyday snacks.

A white scalloped plate with small festive designs like holly leaves, a toy train, and a teddy bear holds five Christmas-themed sugar cookies. At the bottom, a red stocking cookie with a white sugar-coated cuff leans to the right. Next to it on the left is a candy cane with white and green alternating stripes. A white star-shaped cookie is in the middle, touching a pale blue snowflake with a smooth finish that sits behind the stocking. To the right of the snowflake, another candy cane with red and white stripes is placed. The plate lies on a white marbled surface, partially covered by a white cloth decorated with embroidered green holly leaves and red berries. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
  • Food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Sift the powdered sugar into a bowl to remove any lumps, then mix in the light corn syrup and your choice of extract (vanilla or almond).
  2. Step 2: Add milk gradually, one teaspoon at a time, stirring after each addition until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  3. Step 3: Stir in food coloring a little at a time until you achieve the desired color for your icing.

Tips & Variations

  • For a thicker icing perfect for detailed decorating, use less milk. For a thinner glaze, add a bit more milk.
  • Almond extract offers a lovely nutty flavor, but vanilla is classic and pairs well with most cookies.
  • If you want a shinier finish, add a small amount more corn syrup.

Storage

Store any leftover icing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Stir before using, as it may thicken or separate slightly. This icing does not refrigerate well because it can harden and lose its smooth texture.

How to Serve

The image shows a collection of Christmas-themed sugar cookies decorated with smooth icing, arranged on a white marbled surface and a rose gold cooling rack. There are several cookie shapes including stockings, snowflakes, and candy canes. The stocking cookies have two icing layers: one solid color base (red or green) and a white cuff layer on top, with one red stocking featuring a layer of coarse white sugar on the cuff. The snowflake cookies have three layers: a pale blue base layer, an intricate golden-brown layer on top, and small pearl-like white icing dots at the tips. The candy cane cookies have alternating thick red and white stripes, with a smooth finish. The colors are bright and festive with a glossy texture on all icing layers. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other extracts besides vanilla or almond?

Yes, feel free to experiment with extracts like lemon, peppermint, or coconut to customize the flavor of your icing.

How do I fix icing that is too runny?

Add powdered sugar gradually and mix well until the icing thickens to your desired consistency.

Print
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Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe


  • Author: Isabella
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 1 cup of icing, enough to decorate 12-15 medium sugar cookies 1x

Description

This Sugar Cookie Icing recipe creates a smooth, glossy glaze perfect for decorating sugar cookies. Combining powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and a hint of vanilla or almond extract, this icing is easily customizable with food coloring to match any occasion.


Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract

Optional

  • Food coloring, as desired

Instructions

  1. Sift the powdered sugar: Begin by sifting the powdered sugar into a mixing bowl to remove any lumps and ensure a smooth icing base.
  2. Mix in corn syrup and extract: Add 2 teaspoons of light corn syrup and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract to the sifted sugar. Stir well until fully combined, creating a glossy foundation for your icing.
  3. Add milk gradually: Pour in milk slowly, about 1 teaspoon at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Continue until the icing reaches your desired consistency—thick enough to hold shape but spreadable.
  4. Add food coloring: Incorporate food coloring gradually to tint the icing to your preferred shade. Mix well after each drop to evenly distribute the color.

Notes

  • To achieve stiffer icing suitable for piping detailed decorations, reduce the amount of milk slightly.
  • If your icing becomes too runny, add more powdered sugar a teaspoon at a time until thickened.
  • Store leftover icing covered with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent drying out.
  • Use immediately or refrigerate briefly; bring to room temperature and stir before use if chilled.
  • This icing hardens when dry, making it perfect for stacking or gifting decorated cookies.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Icing
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: sugar cookie icing, glaze, cookie decoration, easy icing recipe, holiday cookies

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