Sugar Cookie Icing (Printable Version)

A glossy, smooth-drying icing perfect for decorating sugar cookies with vibrant colors and professional results.

# What You'll Need:

→ Icing Base

01 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
02 - 2-3 tablespoons milk
03 - 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
04 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Optional Color and Decoration

05 - Food coloring (gel or liquid)
06 - Sprinkles or colored sugars

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
02 - If icing is too thick, add additional milk 1/2 teaspoon at a time until reaching thick but pourable consistency.
03 - Divide icing into separate bowls for multiple colors. Stir in food coloring a few drops at a time until desired shade is achieved.
04 - Immediately decorate cooled sugar cookies by dipping, spreading with a knife, or piping designs using a piping bag or squeeze bottle.
05 - Allow decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for at least 4 hours or until icing is completely set.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The finish dries smooth and firm enough to stack cookies without smudging
  • You can adjust the consistency from thick piping to flooding glaze with just drops of milk
02 -
  • Corn syrup is non negotiable for that professional shine and proper setting
  • Room temperature cookies prevent the icing from melting into an uneven mess
03 -
  • Use a toothpick to drag through wet icing for marble effects
  • Let piped designs dry 15 minutes before flooding adjacent areas

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