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Easy Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens Smoothly

Close-up of sugar cookies topped with vibrant, glossy cookie icing in pink, yellow, purple, and blue.
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Make professional-looking sugar cookie icing that dries smooth and glossy. This beginner-friendly recipe uses simple ingredients to create durable icing perfect for decorating and gifting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons warm water (or more, added slowly)
  • Gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder until fully combined.
  2. Add the vanilla extract and 5 tablespoons of the warm water to the dry ingredients.
  3. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer until the ingredients are just combined.
  4. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 3 to 5 minutes until the icing is smooth and holds soft peaks.
  5. If the icing seems too thick, add the remaining tablespoon of water, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach a smooth, pipeable consistency.
  6. For outlining consistency, use the icing as is. For flooding consistency, add a few more drops of water until the icing slowly settles when drizzled.
  7. Divide the icing into separate bowls if you plan to color it. Add gel food coloring sparingly and mix until the color is uniform.
  8. Use the icing immediately to decorate your cooled sugar cookies.
  9. Allow the decorated cookies to sit at room temperature until the icing is completely dry and hard, which may take several hours depending on humidity.

Notes

  • For a glossy finish, avoid over-mixing once the desired consistency is reached.
  • If the icing becomes too thick while decorating, stir in a few drops of water to restore flow.
  • This icing hardens well, making it suitable for stacking cookies or for use in meal planning for holiday cookie boxes.
  • If you are looking for alternatives to traditional baking, consider how this recipe compares to specialized options like gluten-free meal delivery services for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/easy-cookie-icing-recipe-hardens-smoothly/