If you need a cookie decorating alternative to traditional royal icing, this easy cookie icing is a great choice. It’s like a very thick opaque glaze and comes together with a fork, whisk, and mixing bowl. This cookie icing takes about 24 hours to completely dry and you can’t pipe intricate detail as you could with royal icing, but if you want EASY cookie icing, this is it! All of the pictured cookies in this post use this icing.
Easy Cookie Icing
If you need a cookie decorating alternative to traditional royal icing, this sugar cookie icing is a great choice. It’s like a very thick glaze. This icing takes awhile to dry, about 24 hours, and you can’t pipe detail very well, but if you want simple decoration and a simple icing, this is it!
Prep: 5min
Total: 5min
Yield: 1
Ingredients:
- 3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (omit and replace with water for stark white icing)
- 2 teaspoons light corn syrup*
- 4.5-5 Tablespoons (67-75ml) room temperature water
- pinch salt*
Instruction:
- Using a fork, stir the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, corn syrup, and 4.5 Tablespoons (67ml) of water together in a medium bowl. It will be very thick and almost impossible to stir. Switch to a whisk and whisk in 1/2 Tablespoon (8ml) of water. If you lift the whisk and let the icing drizzle back into the bowl, the ribbon of icing will hold shape for a few seconds before melting back into the icing. That is when you know it’s the right consistency and is ready to use. If it’s too thick (sometimes it is), whisk in another 1/2 Tablespoon (8ml) of water or a little more until you reach the consistency.
- If desired, stir in gel food coloring. You can pour some icing into different bowls if using multiple colors. When tinting icing, only use 1-2 drops at first, stir it in, then add more as needed to reach your desired color. Remember, color darkens as icing dries.
- Spoon icing into squeeze bottles or piping bags fitted with Wilton Piping Tip #4. Decorate your cookies as desired. I usually outline cookies with icing first, then fill in the middle. If adding sprinkles on top of the icing, add them right after applying icing on your cookie.
- Feel free to enjoy cookies before icing completely dries. Icing dries in 24 hours. No need to cover the decorated cookies as you wait for the icing to set. If it’s helpful, decorate the cookies directly on a baking sheet so you can stick the entire baking sheet in the refrigerator to help slightly speed up the icing setting. Once the icing has dried, these cookies are great for gifting or for sending.
- The shelf life of your decorated cookies depends on the cookie recipe you are using. If using my sugar cookies, cover and store decorated cookies for up to 5 days at room temperature or up to 10 days in the refrigerator.
- If not decorating right away, cover the icing tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can store in piping bags (with clips or rubber bands to seal ends), in squeeze bottles, or covered in bowl or container. Bring to room temperature before using. If icing has thickened up, add a few drops of water and mix in to thin out. Depending how you stored the icing (squeeze bottle/piping bag/container or bowl) shake squeeze bottle to mix/massage piping bag to mix/whisk in bowl or container to mix.
Sugar Cookie Icing
An easy cookie icing that hardens quickly and tastes delicious!
Prep: 10min
Total: 10min
Yield: 48
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 27 kcal, Carbohydrate 7 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 1 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 1 mg, Sodium 1 mg, Sugar 7 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (clear)
- 1 ½ tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (divided)
- food coloring (gel is best)
Instruction:
- Beat powdered sugar, vanilla, corn syrup and 1 tablespoon milk in a small bowl until smooth.
- Add milk a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Stir in food coloring to reach desired color. Decorate cookies and allow icing to set.
Easy Cookie Icing
If you’ve been looking for a simple but foolproof homemade icing, congrats—you’ve found it! The perfect not-too-thin, not-too-thick topping for your treats is as simple as stirring up a little sugar, milk, vanilla plus a touch of food coloring (if you’re fancy). Break out the cookie cutters and sprinkles! This year, cookie decorating is fun and easy.
Prep: 5min
Total: 30min
Yield: 72
Serving Size: 1 Serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 5 , Carbohydrate 2 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 0 , Fiber 0 g, Protein 0 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, servingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 0 mg, Sugar 2 g, Trans Fat 0 g
Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Betty Crocker™ food coloring sets or other decors
Instruction:
- Combine all ingredients. Stir until smooth.
EASY Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe
FAQ
What type of frosting is used for cookies?
Is cookie icing different than frosting?
They are very different in taste, texture, and honestly, purpose. Typically speaking, frosting is thick and fluffy, great piped or swirled onto cookies or cakes with a star tip. Icing, on the other hand, is thinner, smooth, and glossy – perfect used as a simple glaze or for decorating.
How to make icing in cookies?
- Beat powdered sugar, vanilla, corn syrup and 1 tablespoon milk in a small bowl until smooth.
- Add milk a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Stir in food coloring to reach desired color. Decorate cookies and allow icing to set.
What is sugar cookie icing made of?
