Decorating sugar cookies doesn’t need to be intimidating. It’s not difficult to make and it’s fun to create once you get the hang of it! I’m going to show you how!

This sugar cookie icing hardens smooth, firm, and glossy. You can add sprinkles and sparkles. Once dried, these cookies can be stacked and stored or frozen and enjoyed later. For the average cookie baker, sugar cookie icing or decorating icing is more than enough to make some fun and pretty designs.

This easy powdered sugar cookie icing is hardly 3 steps and can be colored to whichever color you desire!

Color For Icing

I would highly suggest using gel food coloring for icing. It produces vibrant colors and doesn’t add extra liquid to the icing (even 1/4 teaspoon of liquid can change the consistency).

A thick icing (almost thick like a peanut butter consistency) is used to outline the shape A thinner icing is used to fill the inside (more like a gravy consistency). If you’re making fancy cookies, you’ll likely want both consistencies.

I decorate cookies just for my family so, I’m not looking for perfection and I usually make only one consistency. To get the right consistency. If it is too thick, add a little more milk (1/2 teaspoon at a time, it doesn’t take much). If it’s too runny, add a little more powdered sugar. You can test one cookie to make sure it doesn’t run off the edges and holds its shape well enough but still spreads.

How to Ice Sugar Cookies

This is always the fun part! Spread out lots of bowls of fun edible decorations like sprinkles, non-pareils, dragees, or even colored whips of licorice. To Ice Cookies:

piping bag with a #2 cake decorating tip and outline sugar cookies. Once the cookie outline has set for about 10 minutes, then you can ‘flood’ the inner section of the cookie with the same or another color. Top with sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or a variety of fun toppings!

If you are new to piping with icing, practice your ‘drawing’ on a piece of parchment paper until you get the hang of it. Instant sugar art!

Can You Freeze Cookies

Yes, you can freeze iced cookies! Ensure the icing has fully dried. Place your finished sugar cookies in an air-tight container or freezer bag and pop in the freezer for up to three months. To defrost, remove cookies from the freezer and pop in the refrigerator overnight or leave at room temperature from a few hours!

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe – moist, soft, & sturdy! Thumbprint Cookies Best No Roll Sugar Cookie Recipe – simply mix & bake Peanut Butter Blossoms Eggnog Cookies – fav holiday drink in a cookie! Mexican Wedding Cookies Easy Buckeye Recipe Candy Cane Cookies

Did you love this Sugar Cookie Icing? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! Recipe slightly adapted from food.com © SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

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