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    Home » Holidays

    Published: Dec 3, 2020 · Modified: Mar 28, 2022 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 28 Comments

    Easy Cookie Icing

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This quick and easy cookie icing is perfect for sugar, gingerbread, oatmeal, shortbread, and your favorite cutout cookies. This shiny homemade recipe will get hard as it dries and has a beautiful glossy appearance. It is so pretty and great-tasting with sweet powdered sugar and a hint of vanilla.

    This recipe is similar to royal icing except it does not have egg whites and instead uses corn syrup to ensure it hardens. Since this powdered sugar cookie glaze is set firm and hardens when it dries, it is perfect for use when making a lot of holiday cookies.   It is easy to work with and since it hardens, you can make a lot of cookies at once that can be stored without the worry of them sticking to one another.

    Easy Cookie Icing on decorated cookies

    Easy Cookie Icing on decorated cookies

    Whenever you want to frost and decorate cookies, this is the best icing.  It pairs perfectly with my CHOCOLATE GINGERBREAD COOKIES - they are to die for with all the spice of gingerbread but with rich cocoa too. You can stack the cookies once dry to store or to plate with other desserts you may be sharing or giving as Christmas gifts. I find this homemade cookie icing is perfect also for Valentine's Day, Easter, Independence Day, or other holidays when decorating your favorite sugar cookies or other cut-outs is a tradition.

    Simple Ingredients for Cookie Icing

    There are only 4 ingredients in this homemade cookie frosting recipe.  Most of them your pantry probably already has.   If you want to make this icing vegan, you can substitute the milk for water and it will still work and be delicious.

    Easy Cookie Icing ingredients

    Easy Cookie Icing ingredients

    How to Make Homemade Icing that Hardens

    The key to making cookie icing/frosting that hardens is the Karo corn syrup. When you make this recipe with light corn syrup, the icing will harden in about an hour.  It makes it so the cookies can be stacked, stored, or kept together without worrying that your pretty designs will get messed up.  This is ideal for when you want to make a lot and stack them on cookie platters to display or wrap them up for cookie holiday gifts.

    Cookie Icing with Confectioners Powdered Sugar

    First, sift (or use a fork to fluff and separate if you do not own a sifter) powdered sugar into a small mixing bowl. Add 4 teaspoon of milk, 2 teaspoon of corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously with a fork until icing starts to come together.

    Easy Cookie Icing correct consistency

    Easy Cookie Icing correct consistency

    To be sure it all comes together, make sure to also use a rubber spatula to scrape down the edges. Continue to stir with a fork until it is smooth and ready to go. Then you can switch to a spoon or other utensil you may want to use to begin decorating.

    • If needed, add additional milk or water to thin the icing. It will be the correct consistency if it slowly drips from a spoon or fork as you tip it.
    Easy Cookie Icing drizzle icing on cookies

    Easy Cookie Icing drizzle icing on cookies

    Add Food Coloring to Cookie Icing

    For colored icing, separate a bit of plain white icing into small bowls and add drops of gel food coloring and mix thoroughly to combine. Add additional coloring for deeper/darker colors as desired.  I recommend a gel food coloring for this so the additional liquid from food coloring drops doesn't react with the base recipe which may cause it not to harden as well.

    Easy Cookie Icing optional coloring

    Easy Cookie Icing optional coloring

    Decorate Holiday Cookies

    The fun of baking during the holidays is more than just how tasty it all is.  Being creative to decorate any cookie cutter shapes with fun colors or even sprinkles and other edible decorations is the best part.  This icing recipe is great for any cookie.  Here are some suggestions on what cookies to put this icing on:

    • Chocolate Gingerbread
    • Cottontail Rabbit Cookies
    • Sugar Cookies
    • Oatmeal Raisin
    • Bar Cookies
    • Shortbread
    Easy Cookie Icing decorated on a cooling rack

    Easy Cookie Icing decorated on a cooling rack

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

    Easy Cookie Icing PIN

    Easy Cookie Icing PIN

    Product Recommendations for this Recipe:

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

    Easy Cookie Icing featured plated cookies

    Easy Cookie Icing

    Angela
    This quick and easy cookie icing is perfect for sugar, gingerbread, oatmeal, shortbread, and your favorite cutout cookies. This shiny homemade recipe will get hard as it dries and has a beautiful glossy appearance.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 18

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 & ⅔ C confectioners powdered sugar
    • 4 teaspoon whole milk
    • 2 teaspoon light corn syrup
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • gel food coloring Optional

    Instructions
     

    • Sift (or using a fork to fluff and separate) powdered sugar into a small mixing bowl.
    • Add 3 teaspoon of milk, 2 teaspoon of corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously with a fork until icing starts to come together. Using a rubber spatula to scrape down the edges. Continue to stir with a fork until it is smooth and ready to go.
    • If needed, add additional milk to thin icing more. It will be the correct consistency if it slowly drips from a spoon or fork as you tip it.
    • OPTIONAL - For colored icing, divide a bit of icing into small bowls and add drops of gel food coloring and mix thoroughly to combine. Add additional coloring for deeper/darker colors as desired.
    • The icing will thicken and start to harden if not worked with. You can mix vigorously to have it come back to life so it is easier to drip, dip, spread, or pipe onto cookies.
    Keyword baked, christmas, cookie, Easter, easy, fast, gluten-free, grain-free, Halloween, kid favorite, valentine's day

    Did you make this The Short Order Cook Recipe?

    Tag @theshortordercookblog (Instagram & Facebook) or @shortorder_cook (Twitter). 

    I would love to see your latest creations and kitchen adventures.

    « Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #406
    Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caroline Parrott says

      December 07, 2020 at 10:06 am

      Something I have always wondered-if you use milk in the icing, do you have to refrigerate the finished product?

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 07, 2020 at 1:52 pm

        Thanks for the question. You can store the leftover icing in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Bring it to room temperature so it softens before you are ready to decorate. Since this hardens as it dries you may need to add a few drops more of milk to bring it back to the right consistency.

        Reply
        • Caroline Parrott says

          December 07, 2020 at 3:31 pm

          Thank you Short Order Cook. I think I was confusing with my question. Do the cookies have to be refrigerated due the milk in the icing? I always wonder this when I make icings, frostings, etc with dairy in them. Thanks again!

          Reply
          • Angela says

            December 07, 2020 at 7:48 pm

            No, the cookies do not need to be refrigerated once frosted as long as you eat them within 2 days - if they last that long! haha

            Reply
          • Barbara says

            December 13, 2020 at 2:34 pm

            Great recipe! Easy to keep handy!

            Reply
    2. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

      December 08, 2020 at 3:34 pm

      How can anyone turn down a gingerbread man - let alone if he's chocolate!! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party! Have a fantastic week.

      Reply
    3. Holly B says

      December 11, 2020 at 7:14 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic recipe!! I'm so excited to try this! I usually use water, not milk!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 11, 2020 at 11:36 am

        Glad you found a new version for homemade cooking icing.

        Reply
    4. Sabrina DeWalt says

      December 11, 2020 at 7:47 am

      I will have yo add this icing recipe to my repertoire.

      Reply
    5. Tiffany says

      December 11, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      Chocolate and Gingerbread? My two favorite Christmas time things!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 12, 2020 at 1:01 pm

        Great, this combination of chocolate and gingerbread will sure be your new favorite Christmas cookie - Merry Christmas and happy baking and decoring.

        Reply
    6. Jordan says

      December 11, 2020 at 12:35 pm

      This looks so yummy and easy. And now I'm in the mood to make some cookies!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 12, 2020 at 12:58 pm

        Happy cookie baking and I hope you have fun decorating with this icing recipe.

        Reply
    7. Chelsea says

      December 11, 2020 at 2:58 pm

      Speaking from experience, you can totally use a plant-based milk or water for the icing and it'll turn out yummy! Cookie icing is such an easy way to liven up cookies! We add them to ours every Christmas!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 11, 2020 at 10:37 pm

        Yes, thanks for sharing the vegan options for this recipe. Merry Christmas.

        Reply
    8. Alexis Farmer says

      December 11, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      I would totally just eat this icing lol

      Reply
    9. Suz @ TravelsWithSuz.com says

      December 11, 2020 at 9:20 pm

      That's how it's done! Excellent photos. Merry Christmas!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 11, 2020 at 10:34 pm

        Thank you for the kind comment. Merry Christmas to you too Suz!

        Reply
    10. Elaina says

      December 12, 2020 at 11:48 am

      I've always wondered how the bakery cookies look like this, who knew how simple it was! Can't wait to use this for our holiday cookies.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 12, 2020 at 12:56 pm

        This cookie icing recipe is so simple and delicious for sure.

        Reply
    11. Melissa Jones says

      December 12, 2020 at 7:26 pm

      5 stars
      Those look and sound great! I pinned it so I don't lose it!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 13, 2020 at 4:35 pm

        Thanks so much, Melissa for pinning this icing recipe.

        Reply
    12. Lisa Manderino says

      December 12, 2020 at 9:40 pm

      I like a homemade icing that is easy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 13, 2020 at 4:34 pm

        Me too!

        Reply
    13. Marianne G says

      December 13, 2020 at 8:33 am

      Love decorating sugar cookies for Christmas! Thank you for a different spin on an icing recipe.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 13, 2020 at 4:34 pm

        You are welcome and have fun decorating.

        Reply
    14. Alice says

      December 13, 2020 at 6:13 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this great recipe! I pinned it for later.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        December 15, 2020 at 3:10 pm

        Great, thanks for pinning.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat and explore all things food. I have been cooking since I could pull up a stool to finally reach the counter. I still rely on my trusty stool every day. I am a former personal chef turned blogger that enjoys cooking with and for my family, traveling to try new cuisine, and constantly learning about food, drink, & how it touches all our lives.

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