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The Ultimate Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe That Dries Hard & Glossy (Foolproof for Stacking)

Close-up of star-shaped sugar cookies decorated with brightly colored sugar cookie icing that hardens, including pink, yellow, and orange.
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Make sugar cookie icing that hardens completely with this simple recipe. You achieve a smooth, durable, and glossy finish perfect for decorating, stacking, and gifting your cut-out cookies.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar and the vanilla extract.
  2. Add the light corn syrup and 2 tablespoons of the milk. Mix with a whisk or electric mixer on low speed until just combined.
  3. Continue mixing, adding the remaining milk one teaspoon at a time until the icing reaches a thick, smooth consistency suitable for outlining cookies. This is your ‘stiff’ consistency.
  4. If you need icing for flooding, separate a portion into a new bowl and add a few drops of milk at a time, mixing until it flows slowly off the whisk in a ribbon that disappears after about 10 seconds.
  5. Use the stiff icing to outline your sugar cookies. Let the outline set for 10 to 15 minutes.
  6. Use the thinner ‘flood’ icing to fill in the outlined areas. Gently tap the cookie sheet on the counter to release air bubbles.
  7. If using color, add gel coloring now and mix until uniform.
  8. Allow the cookies to dry uncovered at room temperature for at least 8 to 12 hours, or until the icing is completely hard to the touch. For best results, allow 24 hours before stacking or packaging.

Notes

  • For a bright white icing, use clear vanilla extract instead of standard vanilla.
  • If your icing is too thin for flooding, add a small amount of sifted powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add milk a half teaspoon at a time.
  • This icing dries hard because of the corn syrup content, which prevents stickiness. Do not skip the corn syrup if you need a durable, stackable cookie topping.
  • Store decorated cookies in an airtight container once the icing is fully cured.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishcraze.com/sugar-cookie-icing-that-hardens/