Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens – Perfect for Christmas Decorating
Smooth, glossy sugar cookie icing that dries hard — perfect for decorating holiday cookies with bright colors and clean designs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes + drying
- Yield: ~24 medium cookies
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp milk or water
- 2 tbsp light corn syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (clear preferred)
- Gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and corn syrup until smooth.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Adjust consistency: Add more powdered sugar for thick lines; more milk for flooding.
- Divide and color as desired.
- Transfer to piping bags and decorate cookies.
- Let dry 6–8 hours or overnight.
Notes
- For white icing, use clear vanilla and corn syrup.
- Store unused icing in airtight containers up to 3 days.
- Avoid overmixing to maintain a smooth finish.