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The Ultimate Hard-Drying Sugar Cookie Icing for Flawless Decorating

Close-up of snowflake sugar cookies decorated with colorful royal sugar cookie icing recipe, drying on a cooling rack.
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Achieve a perfectly smooth, hard-drying sugar cookie icing that looks professional. This simple recipe uses basic ingredients and sets firm, preventing sticky cookies.

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup warm water (plus more as needed)
  • 1/4 teaspoon light corn syrup (optional, for extra shine)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder until fully combined.
  2. Add the vanilla extract and the warm water to the dry ingredients.
  3. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer until the ingredients are just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  4. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 5 to 7 minutes until the icing is very smooth, thick, and holds stiff peaks. This whipping process incorporates air, which helps the icing dry hard.
  5. Check the consistency. For outlining and detail work (stiff consistency), the icing should hold its shape firmly. For flooding (a thinner consistency), add water, one teaspoon at a time, until the icing flows slowly off a spoon and smooths over itself in about 10 seconds.
  6. Divide the icing into separate bowls for coloring. Add gel food coloring sparingly and mix until the color is uniform.
  7. Use the icing immediately to decorate your cooled sugar cookies.
  8. Allow the decorated cookies to air dry completely for several hours, or overnight, until the surface is hard to the touch.

Notes

  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the icing consistency.
  • If the icing becomes too thick while decorating, add a few drops of water. If it is too thin, mix in a tablespoon of powdered sugar.
  • For a recipe that supports your overall health goals, remember that proper meal planning is key, even when enjoying treats.
  • Store unused icing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days; if it stiffens, you can revive it with a few drops of water.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/sugar-cookie-icing-recipe-hard-drying/