Glossy Sugar Cookie Icing (Print Version)
A quick, glossy icing that dries smooth and firm for beautifully decorated sugar cookies.
# What You Need:
→ Icing Base
01 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
02 - 2-3 tablespoons milk (dairy or non-dairy)
03 - 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
04 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Optional Color and Decoration
05 - Food coloring (gel or liquid, as desired)
06 - Sprinkles or colored sugars (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
02 - If the icing is too thick, add additional milk, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a thick but pourable consistency.
03 - Divide the icing into separate bowls if using multiple colors. Stir in food coloring, a few drops at a time, until the desired color is achieved.
04 - Use immediately to decorate cooled sugar cookies. Dip cookies, spread with a knife, or pipe designs using a piping bag or squeeze bottle.
05 - Allow decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for at least 4 hours or until the icing is completely set.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in literally ten minutes with ingredients you already have in your pantry
- The glossy finish dries firm enough to stack cookies for gift boxes without smudging
- You can customize the consistency for spreading, dipping, or piping intricate designs
02 -
- Humidity is your enemy—decorate on dry days or run a dehumidifier in your kitchen to prevent sticky icing that never fully sets
- The icing should sheet off a spoon but hold its shape in the bowl for about ten seconds before disappearing
- Never ice warm cookies or the moisture will make your beautiful designs run and puddle into each other
03 -
- Add the corn syrup first before any milk to prevent gritty texture from powdered sugar that hasn't fully dissolved
- For marbled or swirled designs, drop contrasting colored icing dots onto wet base icing and drag a toothpick through once