Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens is the ultimate solution for decorating your festive treats. This icing not only hardens beautifully but also provides a delightful canvas for creativity during holidays and special occasions. Its quick preparation time makes it a favorite for bakers of all skill levels, allowing you to whip up stunning designs effortlessly. With this recipe, you can bring joy and color to your sugar cookies, making them perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or any celebration.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick to Prepare: You can make this icing in just 5 minutes, which means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your cookies.
Perfectly Hardens: This icing sets beautifully, allowing you to stack and store your decorated cookies without worrying about smudges.
Versatile Colors: With gel food coloring, you can create a rainbow of shades to match any theme or occasion.
Ideal for All Occasions: Whether it’s Christmas or a birthday party, this icing enhances your cookies’ appearance and taste.
Easy to Use: The smooth consistency makes it simple to pipe or spread on your cookies.

Tools and Preparation

Before diving into the icing process, gather the essential tools that will make your decorating experience smoother.

Essential Tools and Equipment

Mixing bowl
Sifter
Whisk or spoon
Measuring spoons
Small bowls (for coloring)

Importance of Each Tool

Mixing bowl: A larger bowl helps prevent spills while mixing all ingredients together.
Sifter: Ensuring the powdered sugar is lump-free will give you a smoother icing texture.
Measuring spoons: Accurate measurements are key for achieving the perfect consistency of your icing.

Ingredients

Having a good from-scratch icing recipe that hardens is a must during the holidays. That’s why this is the only recipe you’ll ever need from now on! It hardens perfectly, making frosting sugar cookies so fun!

For the Icing

2 cup powdered sugar
1 & 1/2 tbsp corn syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 & 1/2 tbsp milk or water (cold)
gel food coloring

How to Make Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens

Step 1: Sift the Powdered Sugar

In a medium or large mixing bowl, sift the powdered sugar. This helps eliminate lumps for a smooth icing texture.

Step 2: Mix Ingredients Together

Add in corn syrup, vanilla extract, and milk or water.
Stir vigorously until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Adjust Consistency

If needed, add more milk gradually until you reach your desired consistency. The goal is for the icing to fall off the spoon slowly while leaving a thick layer behind.

Step 4: Divide and Color

If you’re making multiple colors, divide the icing into smaller bowls.
Add gel food coloring as desired and mix until fully incorporated.

Step 5: Decorate Your Cookies

Use the prepared icing to decorate your cookies as desired.
Allow the icing to set at room temperature before storing decorated cookies in an airtight container.

Enjoy creating beautiful sugar cookies with this easy recipe!

How to Serve Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens

Sugar cookie icing that hardens is perfect for creating beautiful designs on your festive treats. Here are some creative serving suggestions to make your cookies shine.

Festive Cookie Platters

Arrange decorated sugar cookies on a large platter, showcasing various colors and designs. This adds a vibrant touch to any holiday gathering.

Gift Boxes

Pack decorated cookies in a decorative box or tin. Add a personal note for a thoughtful homemade gift that’s sure to impress.

Cookie Decorating Stations

Set up a cookie decorating station at parties. Provide plain sugar cookies and bowls of different colored icing for guests to create their own masterpieces.

Holiday Desserts Table

Include your beautifully iced sugar cookies on a dessert table along with other holiday treats like pies and cakes. This adds variety and color to the spread.

Seasonal Themed Displays

Create seasonal displays using your iced cookies. For example, arrange them in the shape of a Christmas tree or wreath for eye-catching decor.

Kids’ Baking Parties

Host a baking party where kids can decorate their own cookies using icing that hardens. This activity is fun and engaging for children of all ages.

How to Perfect Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens

Getting the right consistency for sugar cookie icing that hardens is key to beautiful decorations. Here are some tips to ensure success.

Sift the Powdered Sugar: Sifting removes lumps, ensuring your icing is smooth and easy to work with.
Adjust Consistency: If your icing is too thick, add more liquid gradually until it flows nicely off the spoon without being runny.
Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel colors provide vibrant hues without thinning the icing, helping it maintain its thickness.
Let Icing Set: Allow decorated cookies to sit at room temperature until the icing hardens completely before stacking or storing them.
Avoid Humidity: High humidity can affect drying time; try to decorate cookies on dry days for best results.

Best Side Dishes for Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens

While sugar cookie icing is delightful on its own, pairing it with side dishes can enhance your dessert experience. Here are some delicious options:

Hot Cocoa: Rich hot chocolate complements the sweetness of iced cookies perfectly, creating a cozy treat.
Milkshakes: A thick milkshake pairs wonderfully with sugar cookies, providing a creamy contrast to the crunchy texture.
Fruit Salad: A refreshing fruit salad balances out the sweetness of the cookies, adding freshness to your dessert table.
Cheesecake Bites: Mini cheesecake bites offer a rich and creamy counterpoint to the lightness of sugar cookies.
Brownies: Fudgy brownies bring another layer of indulgence that pairs well with colorful iced sugar cookies.
Ice Cream Sundaes: Create ice cream sundaes topped with crushed sugar cookies for an extra special dessert experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Creating Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens can be simple, but common mistakes can lead to unsatisfactory results. Here are some pitfalls to avoid.

Not sifting powdered sugar: Failing to sift the powdered sugar can result in a lumpy icing. Always sift it before mixing to ensure smoothness.
Incorrect consistency: If the icing is too runny, it won’t harden properly. Adjust with more powdered sugar to thicken it until it slowly falls off the spoon.
Skipping flavoring: Omitting vanilla extract can make your icing taste bland. Always add a splash of vanilla for a delicious flavor boost.
Using warm liquids: Adding warm milk or water can alter the texture and prevent hardening. Stick with cold liquids for the best results.
Not letting it set: Storing cookies too soon after decorating can ruin the icing. Allow it to set at room temperature before placing them in an airtight container.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

Store leftover icing in an airtight container.
It will stay fresh for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Freezing Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens

Transfer icing into freezer-safe containers or bags.
Freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

Reheating Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens

Oven: Place in an oven-safe bowl and heat at low temperatures until warm, stirring frequently.
Microwave: Heat in short bursts of 10-15 seconds, stirring in between until soft.
Stovetop: Use a double boiler over simmering water, stirring consistently until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens that may help you perfect your recipe.

Can I use regular food coloring?

Yes, regular food coloring works, but gel food coloring provides more vibrant colors without altering consistency.

How thick should the icing be?

The ideal thickness allows the icing to slowly fall off the spoon while leaving a thick layer behind. Adjust with liquid or sugar as needed.

What if my icing doesn’t harden?

If your icing isn’t hardening, it might be too thin. Add more powdered sugar to thicken and allow more time at room temperature.

Can I decorate cookies immediately after icing?

It’s best to let the icing set for at least a few hours before storing decorated cookies to ensure it hardens properly.

Final Thoughts

This Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens is a fantastic addition to your baking repertoire. Its versatility allows you to create beautifully decorated cookies for any occasion. Feel free to customize flavors and colors to suit your preferences!

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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

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Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens

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Author: Nora
Total Time: 0 hours
Yield: Approximately 16 tablespoons (16 servings) 1x

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Description

Elevate your baking game with Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens, the perfect solution for beautifully decorated cookies. This easy-to-make icing not only hardens to a glossy finish but also allows endless creativity for any occasion, from festive holidays to birthday celebrations. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can transform plain sugar cookies into stunning treats that impress family and friends alike. Plus, its quick-setting nature means you can stack and store your decorated cookies without fear of smudging. Whether you’re hosting a cookie decorating party or simply indulging in some sweet creations at home, this icing is sure to be a favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups powdered sugar
1.5 tbsp corn syrup
0.5 tsp vanilla extract
1.5 tbsp cold milk or water
Gel food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

Sift the powdered sugar into a mixing bowl to eliminate lumps.
Add corn syrup, vanilla extract, and cold milk or water, stirring until smooth.
Adjust consistency by adding more milk if needed; it should flow slowly off the spoon while leaving a thick layer behind.
Divide the icing into smaller bowls and color with gel food coloring as desired.
Decorate your cookies and allow them to set at room temperature before storing.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Category: Dessert
Method: N/A
Cuisine: N/A