This is the best sugar cookie icing that is easy to make with 4 ingredients in 5 minutes. It’s sweet, creamy, simple to use and quickly hardens when decorating sugar cookies.

Cookies with sugar cookie icing on the counter..

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This easy sugar cookie icing recipe is my favorite for decorating sugar cookies. I love to use Christmas-shaped cookie cutters, festive sprinkles and different colors of homemade cookie icing. So fun for both beginner bakers, kids and novice bakers, too!

It’s simple, hardens quickly, has the same glossy look as the one I use on my black & white cookies and tastes delicious. It’s an easier version of royal icing without added egg whites or meringue powder and it’s less fluffy then my sugar cookie frosting.

Plus, it works for all types of cookies too, such as butter cookies and shortbread cookies, too.

Why I Love This Recipe

Recipe Ingredients

Sugar cookie icing ingredients on counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Powdered sugar: This is how the icing gets it’s sweet flavor. I don’t usually sift my powdered sugar, but you can if yours is super lumpy.
  • Light corn syrup: This gives it a nice gloss and keeps the icing from losing it’s shine after it dries.
  • Milk: You don’t need a lot…just enough for it to thin out the consistency a little.
  • Vanilla extract: I love adding in vanilla for a boost of extra flavor. You could always switch up the flavoring and use almond or lemon extract.
  • Food coloring (optional): Use liquid, powder or gel food coloring. Gel food coloring will give you the most vibrant results.
Showing how to make sugar cookie icing in a 4 step collage.
  1. Add. Add ingredients to a small bowl.
  2. Combine. Using a spoon, whisk or fork, stir together the ingredients until smooth and glossy.
  3. Color. If desired, tint with gel food coloring of choice.
  4. Frost. Spread on cookies using a knife, spoon or frosting bag or bottle.

Icing Sugar Cookies

You can dip the cookies into the icing or use a frosting bag or bottle. You could also use a knife or spoon. Here are a few popular methods:

  • Fully iced cookies: Fill one bag that has a smaller hole for outlining the cookie and the other piping bag with a large hole for ‘flooding’ (filling in) the cookie. Outline first then fill the cookie with icing!
  • Outlined cookies: Only use the piping bag with the smaller hole to outline the cookies. This looks great with ornaments, Christmas tree shaped cookies and gingerbread man cookies.
  • Piping cookies: For fancy, intricate designs use only the smaller piping tip to do unique designs.
Sugar cookie icing in frosting bags.

Icing Tips

  • Consistency. For the outer edge, the icing consistency should be thicker, like toothpaste. Then when filling the center, add 1/2 teaspoon more milk at a time to reach the right consistency, similar to honey. I like a thinner consistency for these iced oatmeal cookies, too.
  • Extra decorations. If adding sprinkles, make sure to add them immediately after you frost your cookies. The icing dries quickly!
  • Holiday parties. It’s the perfect homemade sugar cookie icing for decorating at a holiday cookie exchange and holds sprinkles and sanding sugar very nicely.
  • Keep them shiny. It helps to dry the cookies in front of a heater fan to keep the icing shiny.
  • Make ahead instructions. Easily make this icing ahead of time to frost your cookies later. Prepare, then store in the fridge an airtight container. Let it come to room temperature before using (about 30 minutes), add more milk or corn syrup to thin if needed.

Storing and Freezing Cookies with Icing

  • Store: The best thing about using cookie icing that dries quickly is that you can easily stack and store your cookies. Once it dries completely (usually takes around 30 to 60 minutes), add a piece of parchment in between each cookie and then store in a covered container for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze: The cookies will also stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Store in freezer safe bag and thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter for a few hours.
Cookies frosted with sugar cookie icing.

Need more ideas for a Christmas dessert board! Make a batch of sugar cookie bars topped with a festive eggnog frosting or try these sugar cookie truffles!

More Icing Recipes

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Cookies frosted with sugar cookie icing.

Sugar Cookie Icing

4.93 from 38 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 24
This is the best sugar cookie icing that is easy to make with 4 ingredients. It's sweet, creamy, simple to use and quickly hardens when decorating sugar cookies.
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Ingredients 

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons milk (more as needed)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (can also use almond extract)

Optional: food coloring

Instructions

  • Combine. Whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 1/2 Tablespoons corn syrup, 2 Tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in a bowl. Whisk until the mixture 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 a thinner filling consistency. Tint the icing with food color, if desired. 
  • Ice cookies. Spread onto the cookies using a knife, spoon or frosting bag or bottle. 
  • Decorate. Decorate cookies as desired. Allow icing to harden before storing.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Make Ahead: You can easily make this icing ahead of time to frost your cookies later. Simply prepare as directed, then store in the fridge in an airtight container or zip top bag with no air leaking in. Set out about 30 minutes before using. 
Drying tip: It helps to dry the cookies in front of a heater fan to keep the icing shiny.
Storage: Once the icing has hardened the cookies can be stacked. I like to put a piece of parchment paper in between. Store in a covered container for 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 43kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 1mg, Sugar: 10g, Calcium: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

What is cookie icing made of?

The main ingredients are powdered sugar, milk and corn syrup. You can also add vanilla or other flavorings.

Is sugar cookie icing the same as frosting?

Frosting such as a classic buttercream is typically made with the addition of butter to make it thick and creamy with a richer taste.

This cookie icing does not contain butter and has a drippier consistency from the corn syrup and milk, which makes it ideal for decorating sugar cookies.

What type of icing is best for sugar cookies?

Royal icing is a popular choice, but I love this cookie icing because you don’t need meringue powder. It’s much easier to use. If I want a soft frosting and don’t need to stack the cookies, I’ll go for a cream cheese frosting.

How long does it take for cookie icing to set?

It usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour for this sugar cookie icing to set completely.

How do you make cookie icing dry faster?

You can speed up the process by placing the cookies in front of a heater fan to dry. This will help keep the icing extra shiny too.