Easy Sugar Cookie Icing
This Easy Sugar Cookie Icing recipe is just what the best sugar cookies need! Perfect for decorating holiday cookies and adding a lovely, sweet flavor right on top!
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Make sure to check out my Low Carb Grinch Cookies for a simple and delicious cookie that you can easily frost and decorate!
Easy Sugar Cookie Icing
It’s no secret that baking cookies during the holiday season are a family fun tradition. While we enjoy making cookies together, we love decorating them. Every batch requires a theme, and those themes have varied from star wars to animals to everything in between.
I can make my favorite sugar cookie recipe with my eyes closed. Since my kids are always asking for it, it just makes sense to pair it up with this simple cookie icing recipe. I love how simple this icing recipe is and that it takes minimal ingredients.
It’s super simple to whip up and really easy to tint to get all sorts of colors, too. The kids love that it holds other decorations easily, making it the perfect cookie icing for decorating.
Are you ready to learn how to make this fun cookie icing recipe? It’s one that I think you’re going to love! This icing is versatile. Although this recipe calls for sugar cookies, I’ve used this icing on just about every cookie I’ve baked.
Ingredients needed to make homemade cookie icing
- 4 cups of sifted Confectioner’s Sugar / Powdered Sugar
- 3 tablespoons of Meringue Powder
- About ½ cup of Water
- 1 teaspoon of Clear Vanilla Extract
- Assorted Gel Food Color, optional
- Assorted Sprinkles and Decorating Sugars, optional
Instructions to Make Sugar Cookie Icing
In a large bowl combine the sifted powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla extract, and ¼ cup of water.
Beat on high speed with an electric mixer till smooth and glossy.
Lift up the beater and the icing should fall in ribbons, and the ribbons should disappear in 10 seconds. If it disappears in less than 10 seconds, the icing is too liquid and you’ll need to add more powdered sugar. If it takes more than 10 seconds, the icing is too thick and you’ll need to add more water. We usually begin with ¼ cup and then add in 1 tablespoon increment till it reaches the right consistency.
Optional Step: Divide the icing into separate bowls and add gel food color to tint. A little goes a long way and they dry a shade darker.
Before decorating the cookie, makes sure the cookies are cool. A hot cookie will melt the icing and make it watery.
To decorate the cookie, it is best to add the tinted icing into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. We usually go for Wilton tip #4 or #5. Or you can use a Ziploc bag with one of the corners snipped off. Another option is a squeeze bottle.
To decorate the cookie, first pipe the outline. Then add small squeezes in the middle. Finally, use a toothpick to fill out the gaps.
Add sprinkles if desired.
If you have to layer the icing, wait for the first layer to dry before piping the next layer. You might want to stick the cookie in the fridge for 30 minutes to expedite the drying time.
The icing dries and hardens in about 2 hours.
Add layers of parchment between the cookies while storing. Store in airtight containers.
Tips For Making Icing for Cookies
Many people will try and use milk in place of water. Don’t do that. It actually may end up giving it a bit more flavor BUT it stops the icing from hardening up like you want on these cookies. Water is best.
If you’re lucky enough to have icing left over after using it, you can still put it to use! Put the icing in an airtight container with a lid. Place a lightly damp paper towel right on top of the bowl of icing, attach the lid, and place it in the fridge.
When you’re ready to use the icing again, all you have to do is remove it from the fridge and give it a stirring for about a minute or so. A whisk works best for this. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit of water and stir.
What is the texture of cookie icing?
This icing is actually going to dry and become “hard” in texture. What I love about this icing is that it adds a nice, crisp bite to the top of every cookie.
What are the main icing colors for cookies?
Since I am sharing making Christmas or holiday cookies, think holiday colors! I normally make green, white, and red because those colors are bright and can make any cookies look great.
If you decide to use this cookie frosting for other times of the year, you can easily do so and just change out the colors. Orange and black are great for Halloween. Blue and pink are great for a baby shower. Green, blue, and yellow is excellent choices for Easter.
I can’t wait to hear what you think about this yummy frosting recipe! It’s fast, simple, and makes the perfect sweet topping!
More Cookie Recipes
- Simple Halloween M&M Cookies
- Starlight Advent Christmas Cookies
- The Best Air Fryer Russian Tea Cookies
Easy Sugar Cookie Icing
This is such a simple icing recipe for your cookies!
Ingredients
- 4 cups of sifted Confectioners’ Sugar / Powdered Sugar
- 3 tablespoons of Meringue Powder
- About ½ cup of Water
- 1 teaspoon of Clear Vanilla Extract
- Assorted Gel Food Color, optional
- Assorted Sprinkles and Decorating Sugars, optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the sifted powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla extract, and ¼ cup of water.
- Beat on high speed with an electric mixer till smooth and glossy.
- Lift up the beater and the icing should fall in ribbons and the ribbons should disappear in 10 seconds. If it disappears in lea than 10 seconds, the icing is too liquid. Add more powdered sugar. If it takes more than 10 seconds, the icing is too thick. Add more water. We usually start 1th ¼ cup and then add in 1 tablespoon increment till it reaches the right consistency.
- Optional Step: Divide the icing into separate bowls and add gel food color to tint. A little goes a long way and they dry a shade darker.
- To decorate the cookie, it is best to add the tinted icing into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. We usually go for Wilton tip#4 or 5. Or you can use a Ziploc bag, with the tip snipped off. Or even a squeeze bottle.
- To decorate the cookie, first pipe the outline. Then add small squeezes in the middle to almost fill up. Use a toothpick to fill out the gaps.
- Add sprinkles if desired.
- If you have to layer the icing., wait for the first layer to dry, before piping the next layer. You might want to stick the cookie in the fridge for 30 minutes to expedite the drying time.
- The icing dries and hardens in about 2 hours.
- Add layers of parchment between the cookies while storing. Store in airtight containers.
