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Glossy, Hardening Sugar Cookie Icing: The Foolproof Recipe for Stackable Cookies

Stack of sugar cookies topped with brightly colored, smooth sugar cookie icing that hardens, featuring orange, pink, green, and blue.
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Stop struggling with sticky frosting. This easy sugar cookie icing recipe sets firm, dries smooth, and delivers a professional, glossy finish perfect for gifting and holiday decorating.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons milk (whole or water)
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and light corn syrup until combined.
  2. Add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix with a whisk or electric mixer on low speed until the mixture is smooth.
  3. Check the consistency. If the icing is too thick to flow slowly off the whisk, add the remaining milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach a smooth, thick consistency suitable for outlining cookies.
  4. For flooding consistency, add a few more drops of liquid until the icing flows slowly off the whisk, taking about 10 seconds to disappear back into the bowl when drizzled on top.
  5. Divide the icing into separate bowls if you plan to use multiple colors. Add gel food coloring to each portion and mix until the color is uniform.
  6. Use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip (like Wilton #2) to outline your cut-out sugar cookies.
  7. Allow the outlines to dry for 10 to 15 minutes until they form a slight crust.
  8. Use a scribe tool or toothpick to gently spread the flood consistency icing within the outlines, pushing it to the edges.
  9. Tap the cookie gently on the counter to release air bubbles and achieve a smooth surface.
  10. Let the cookies dry completely, uncovered, at room temperature for 6 to 12 hours, or until the icing is completely hard and not tacky to the touch. This ensures stackable cookie frosting.

Notes

  • For the brightest white icing, use clear vanilla extract instead of standard vanilla extract.
  • To prevent sticky cookie icing, ensure you use the correct ratio of liquid to sugar and allow adequate drying time. Humidity affects drying time.
  • This recipe creates a durable finish ideal for professional cookie icing results.

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