Sugar Cookie Icing – This delicious icing recipe takes 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!
Cookie icing
Cookie icingOne 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 for icing recipe
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!
Hi. Can this icing be stored in an airtight container for a few days? If so, how long?
Yes it can be, you’ll just need to let it sit out at room temperature for a little while and then give it a good stir. You also may need to add a little more milk and corn syrup if it has thickened too much.
I love this recipe. It is easy to make and there us a gloss on the frosting. I did tinker with the consistency a bit to get it the way I needed. Overall, I love that glossy finish.
very great designs and thanks a million. I going to use these icings soon and am sure my kids will love it.
Can you please suggest, which food color (brand name) you are using? Also, is it safe for consumption?
Just what I’ve been looking for!
Love the simplicity of this, and all the fun decorating ideas! I’ve been reluctant to do sugar cookies the past couple of years, because of the pain of decorating, but this frosting definitely makes things easier – win! Plus my son is getting old enough to help, or at least “help.” :) Think we’ll give it a go!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy making these with your son. Sugar cookies are my favorite during the holidays! :)
Woah does this look amazing! I was looking for something other than store-bought and I’m excited to try this recipe.
Hope you enjoy! :)
You know what – I was just looking for a good sugar icing recipe. Your recipe looks so doable and fab. I will be trying this soon.
Have fun decorating sugar cookies! :)
These are so cute and look like so much fun to make! Totally making these over the holidays :)
Have fun making these sugar cookies! :)
These are adorable! My kids are going to have a ball with these!