This sugar cookie icing only 4 ingredients and comes together in just 5 minutes! Great for beginners and tastes amazing. You’ll have perfectly decorated sugar cookies in no time!
This sugar cookie icing is my go-to icing recipe when decorating cookies. If I want to switch it up a bit, I’ll make classic buttercream frosting, chocolate buttercream frosting or royal icing. All are so yummy and look amazing!
Favorite way to decorate cookies
Favorite way to decorate cookiesOne of my favorite things to do around the holidays is decorate Christmas cookies. I love to use fun Christmas-shaped cookie cutters, festive sprinkles and different types of cookie icing. This sugar cookie icing is probably my favorite for decorating sugar cookies. It’s easy, hardens quickly, has a glossy look and tastes delicious. Plus it works for all types of cookies too, such as butter cookies, shortbread cookies and even ginger molasses cookies.
Sometimes frosting your own cookies with homemade cookie icing can be intimidating, but trust me, this icing recipe couldn’t be any easier! I’ve even included some quick tips below that will set you up for success when frosting your cookies. This icing for sugar cookies is perfect to make for a holiday cookie exchange and will leave your friends and family raving over how cute your cookies turned out! So fun and festive!
Ingredients
This icing recipe requires only 4 simple ingredients. These ingredients are staples for me around the holidays, so I already had everything I needed to get started. My kind of recipe! :)
- Powdered sugar
- Light corn syrup
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
How to make icing
Scroll down for the printable sugar cookie icing recipe.
- Whisk together ingredients in a bowl until smooth and glossy.
- If desired, tint cookie icing with food coloring of choice.
- Spread icing on cookies using a knife, spoon or frosting bag or bottle.
TIP: If you are piping around the edges of your cookies, the icing should be thick. Then when filling the center, add 1/2 teaspoon more milk at a time to reach desired filling consistency.
Quick tips for sugar cookie icing
- This icing recipe dries hard and shiny, similar to royal icing. However it tastes better and is a lot easier to make!
- For the outer edge, the consistency should be thicker, like toothpaste. For the center, the cookie icing should be the consistency of honey.
- You can dip the cookies into the icing or use a frosting bag or bottle. You could also use a knife or spoon. Whichever method you prefer.
- The powdered sugar icing sets up really nicely once dried and you can easily stack or freeze them.
- If adding sprinkles, make sure to add them immediately after you frost your cookies. The sugar cookie icing dries quickly!
Icing Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 Tablespoons milk , more as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract , can also use almond extract
Optional: food coloring
Instructions
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, corn syrup, milk and vanilla in a bowl. Whisk until icing is smooth and glossy. It should be thick, if you are using it as a piping. Add a 1/2 teaspoon more milk at a time to make the filling.
- Tint the icing with food color, if desired.
- Spread the icing onto the cookies using a knife, spoon or frosting bag or bottle.
Nutrition
Happy decorating!
Good
Can you make the icing ahead of time to Frost later?
Yes, that should be fine. I would just make sure to store in the fridge in an airtight container with no air leaking in. I would recommend filling the container completely, sealing with plastic wrap and then the lid.
Hello, can a milk alternative be used in this? Like soy milk or almond milk?
I’m sorry, I haven’t tried substituting the milk so I’m not sure how well that will work.
I have loved making this icing several times for sugar cookies. I am wondering if anyone has tried making the icing a day or so early . I am wondering if it will still work or if it will be to setup to use a day later.
It should be fine in the fridge. I would just let it come to room temperature before using! :)
Hello! Have you ever experienced color distortion after frosting dries and sets for a day or so?
I haven’t noticed any color distortion!
Once dried, can you use food coloring pens on them?
I’ve never tried those before, but I think that should work! :)
Great recipe! I used honey instead of light corn syrup. Turned our perfectly for my Halloween pumpkin cookies.
How far ahead can th se be made, also can I freeze them once they are set?
Hi! The powdered sugar icing sets up really nicely once dried and you can easily stack or freeze them.