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The Best Easy Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe That Dries Hard and Glossy

Close-up of a golden sugar cookie topped with thick, glossy white sugar cookie icing and sprinkled with coarse sugar.
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Make smooth, glossy sugar cookie icing that hardens perfectly for decorating and gifting. This simple recipe is foolproof for beginners and ideal for holiday baking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 6 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon clear vanilla extract (optional, for pure white color)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder until fully combined.
  2. Add the warm water and extracts to the sugar mixture.
  3. Using an electric mixer on low speed, mix the ingredients until 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, glossy, and holds soft peaks. This step incorporates air and creates the smooth finish.
  5. Test the consistency. For piping details, the icing should be thick (stiff peaks). For flooding large areas, add water one teaspoon at a time until the icing flows slowly off the spoon in a ribbon that disappears into the bowl after about 10 seconds.
  6. Separate the icing into bowls for coloring, if desired. Use gel food coloring for best results.
  7. Use the icing immediately for decorating cookies. For flooding, outline the cookie edge first with a thicker consistency icing, let it set for 5 minutes, then fill in the center with the thinner flood consistency icing.
  8. Allow the decorated cookies to dry uncovered at room temperature for several hours, or overnight, until the icing is completely hard to the touch.

Notes

  • For a pure white icing, use clear vanilla extract instead of standard vanilla extract.
  • If the icing becomes too thick while decorating, stir in a few drops of water. If it is too thin, mix in a tablespoon of sifted confectioners’ sugar.
  • This hard-drying cookie glaze is excellent for stacking and gifting because it sets firm.
  • Store unused icing covered tightly with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent a crust from forming.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://miameal.com/best-sugar-cookie-icing-dries-hard/