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Glossy Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens Perfectly

Close-up of a sugar cookie cut in half showing the soft interior and bright blue sugar cookie icing that hardens on top.
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Learn to make bakery-style sugar cookie icing that dries firm and glossy. This recipe is simple, reliable, and perfect for decorating stackable cutout cookies for any occasion.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons milk (whole or plant-based)
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, milk, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract.
  2. Whisk the mixture until it is completely smooth. You are aiming for a consistency that flows slowly off the whisk but holds its shape briefly. This is the ‘flood’ consistency.
  3. If the icing is too thick, add milk, half a teaspoon at a time, until the desired flow is reached. If it is too thin, add powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time.
  4. If you plan to outline cookies, separate a small portion of the icing into a separate bowl and make it slightly thicker by adding a few drops of milk or a small amount of powdered sugar.
  5. Color the main batch of icing using gel food coloring, mixing until the color is uniform.
  6. Use the thicker icing to outline your sugar cookies. Let the outline dry for 10 to 15 minutes until it forms a slight crust.
  7. Fill in the outlined areas with the thinner ‘flood’ icing. Gently spread the icing to the edges. You can use a scribe tool or the back of a small spoon to help move the icing.
  8. Tap the cookie gently on the counter a few times to release air bubbles. Pop any remaining surface bubbles with a toothpick.
  9. Allow the cookies to dry completely at room temperature, uncovered, for several hours or overnight until the icing is hard and glossy to the touch.

Notes

  • For the firmest, fastest-drying icing, use light corn syrup; it adds shine and prevents crystallization.
  • If you need to decorate cookies quickly, place them in front of a small fan to speed up the drying process.
  • This icing is ideal for creating durable, stackable cookie designs.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/sugarcookieicingthathardens/