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The Ultimate Easy Sugar Cookie Icing That Dries Hard and Glossy

A single, round sugar cookie generously topped with thick, glossy white sugar cookie icing, sitting on a wooden surface.
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Make smooth, glossy sugar cookie icing that dries firm, perfect for decorating and gifting. This simple recipe uses basic ingredients and is ideal for beginners.

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 6 tablespoons milk or water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon light corn syrup (optional, for extra gloss)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted confectioners’ sugar and the milk or water until smooth.
  2. Add the vanilla extract and the corn syrup, if using. Mix until the icing is completely smooth and has a thick, yet pourable consistency.
  3. Test the consistency: For outlining and piping, the icing should be thick enough to hold a line on the cookie surface. For flooding, it should flow slowly off the whisk.
  4. Adjust thickness: If the icing is too thick, add liquid (milk or water) a half teaspoon at a time. If it is too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar, one tablespoon at a time.
  5. Color the icing if desired by adding gel food coloring now.
  6. Apply the icing to cooled sugar cookies using a piping bag or a small spoon. Outline the cookie first, then fill in the center (flood).
  7. Allow the icing to dry completely at room temperature. This usually takes 4 to 8 hours, depending on humidity, for a hard, glossy finish.

Notes

  • For a royal icing texture that dries very hard, substitute 1 egg white for the milk/water and add 1/2 teaspoon of meringue powder.
  • If you need the icing to dry faster, place the decorated cookies in front of a small fan while they set.
  • Store unused icing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days; stir well before reusing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/easy-sugar-cookie-icing-that-hardens/