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Glossy Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens Firmly

Close-up of sugar cookies topped with vibrant pink and blue sugar cookie icing that hardens, featuring silver sprinkles.
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Make bakery-style sugar cookie icing that dries completely hard, smooth, and glossy. This recipe is perfect for decorating cutout cookies you plan to stack or gift.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons milk (whole or plant-based)
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring, as needed

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, milk, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract.
  2. Mix with a whisk or electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  3. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until the icing is smooth and glossy.
  4. Check the consistency. If the icing is too thick to pour or spread easily, add milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach a ‘flood’ consistency—it should slowly level itself when drizzled from a spoon.
  5. If you need a thicker ‘outline’ consistency, add a small amount of extra powdered sugar.
  6. Divide the icing into separate bowls for coloring. Add gel food coloring drops one at a time, mixing well after each addition until you achieve your desired shade.
  7. Use the icing immediately to decorate your cooled sugar cookies. For flooding, apply the icing and gently tilt the cookie to cover the surface evenly.
  8. Allow the iced cookies to dry completely at room temperature, uncovered, for several hours or overnight until the surface is firm to the touch.

Notes

  • For the firmest, glossiest finish, do not substitute the corn syrup; it helps prevent crystallization and promotes a hard set.
  • If you are using this icing for detailed work or outlining, make a small portion of the batch much thicker by reducing the liquid slightly.
  • To speed up drying time, you can place the decorated cookies in front of a small fan, but avoid high humidity areas.
  • This icing works well for holiday cookie decorating and is suitable for cookies intended for meal planning or gifting.

Nutrition

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