Sugar cookie lovers wonโt want to miss this 3-ingredient recipe for The Best Sugar Cookie Icing that sets firm without the need for meringue powder or egg whites. No fancy ingredients, no complicated stepsโjust simple, straightforward icing thatโs as easy to make as it is to use!
Table of Contents
While you might be most familiar with smooth, matte royal icing on your sugar cookies, it can be a bit unwieldy to use and mix up. With this in mind, I created a delicious shortcut recipe for cookie icing that achieves nearly the same consistency when set. Itโs fast, free of corn syrup and easily sets to form that iconic shiny, flavorful topping for cookies in every color of the rainbow.
Is Cookie Icing the Same as Royal Icing?
While many cookies are often topped with royal icing, this cookie icing differs in that itโs made simply with confectionerโs sugar, butter and milk. No meringue powder or egg whites necessary!
Cookie icing can be used in almost the same way youโd use royal icing. You can dip your cookies directly into the icing, or pipe or spoon on cookie icing to โfloodโ the tops of your cookies. This cookie icing wonโt dry exactly as hard as royal icing, but 10 minutes of cooling time will allow it to fully set.
Hereโs what makes this sugar cookie icing recipe so simple yet effective:
- Confectionersโ sugar (also called powdered sugar): This is the base of the icing, sifted for a silky smooth texture. Donโt substitute it with granulated sugar or any other alternatives, as they wonโt provide the same smooth consistency.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the icing set. Be sure to grab the unsalted kind so your frosting doesnโt end up tasting unexpectedly salty.
- Milk: Whole milk is my go-to for a creamy consistency. I like to add it gradually until the icing reaches the thickness I want for easily spreading atop my sugar cookies.
Kellyโs Note: Want to enhance the flavor? You can mix in a splash of vanilla extract or almond extract. I usually skip it, but if youโre feeling adventurous, start small and adjust to your taste. Both extracts pair beautifully with sugar cookies and wonโt overpower their delicate flavor.
You can also dye this icing any color of the rainbow using either regular food coloring or gel-based food coloring. I prefer the latter because you get a much more vibrant color with just a few drops.
The real beauty of this recipe is that other than not needing any fancy ingredients, you really donโt need any fancy equipment either. Just a bowl and a whisk will get you in business.
- Sift the confectionersโ sugar into a bowl to remove lumps.
- Add melted butter and whole milk, whisking until smooth.
- If the icing is too thick, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time until itโs thin enough to spread or dip.
- If using food coloring, whisk it in until you achieve your desired shade.
How Do You Decorate Sugar Cookies Like a Pro?
Want Instagram-worthy frosted cookies? Start with my go-to cutout sugar cookie recipe that ensures your cookies hold their shape during baking and follow all of my cookie baking tips for the perfect batch. Then, follow this step-by-step guide to creating beautifully decorated sugar cookies every time:
- Make sure your cookies are completely cooled before you start icing them. Warm cookies will melt your icing into a gooey puddle.
- I like to chill my baked cookies in the fridge before decorating. Cold cookies make for a cleaner icing application.
Now itโs time to frost those cookies! I use one of two methods to ice my cookies:
- Dip the cookies into the icing and shake off any excess
- Use a small spoon or offset spatula to spread the icing atop the cookies
Color and Customize
- Use squeeze bottles or piping bags with a small tip to create detailed patterns and borders. Squeeze bottles are especially beginner-friendly and easy to handle.
- Keep bowls of different colors of icing and all your sprinkles nearby for easy access while decorating.
- To prevent icing in bowls from hardening, cover them with plastic wrap or stir occasionally if a thin skin forms.
Sprinkle Like a Pro
- No matter which method you choose, if youโre going the route of sprinkles, itโs important to add them immediately after you apply the icing, as the icing does set semi-firm. If you wait too long, the sprinkles wonโt adhere to the icing.
Allow Time to Set
- Sugar cookie icing dries to a semi-firm finish in about 10 minutes, but for fully hardened icing, give the cookies up to 24 hours. This is especially important if you plan to stack or transport them.
With these tips, youโre ready to create your best batch of iced sugar cookies that look as good as they taste!
Can I Make This Icing In Advance?
This icing is best used right away for optimal consistency. If you need to make it ahead of time, keep in mind that it will start to set as it sits. You can gently reheat it in the microwave in short intervals (about 5-10 seconds) to bring it back to a spreadable or dippable consistency. Be sure to stir it well after microwaving!
That said, if you prepare the icing too far in advance, it may become too firm, making it much harder to apply smoothly to your cookies. For best results, plan to make and use the icing on the same day.
Can You Freeze Iced Sugar Cookies?
Absolutely! Iced sugar cookies freeze beautifully, making them a great make-ahead option for holidays or special occasions. Once the icing is completely set, arrange the cookies in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze them until firm, then transfer them to an airtight container, separating the layers with sheets of wax or parchment paper.
Thaw at room temperature before serving, and theyโll look and taste just as good as freshly made!
- The Best Cutout Sugar Cookies
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Christmas Monster Cookies
- Candy Cane Cookies
- Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups confectionersโ sugar
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 Tablespoons whole milk, plus more as needed
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Sift the confectionersโ sugar into a medium bowl.
- Add the whole milk and melted butter and whisk until smooth. If the icing is too thick, whisk in additional whole milk 1 teaspoon at a time until thinner. If desired, whisk in food coloring.
- Dip cookies into icing or use a spoon to spread it into a thin layer on tops of cookies. Let the cookies sit at room temperature until the icing sets, about 10 minutes.
Kellyโs Notes
- This icing is best used right away for optimal consistency. If you need to make it ahead of time, keep in mind that it will start to set as it sits. You can gently reheat it in the microwave in short intervals (about 5-10 seconds) to bring it back to a spreadable or dippable consistency. Be sure to stir it well after microwaving!
- Iced sugar cookies freeze beautifully. Once the icing is completely set, arrange the cookies in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze them until firm, then transfer them to an airtight container, separating the layers with sheets of wax or parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature before serving, and theyโll look and taste just as good as freshly made!
- โ Did you make this recipe? Donโt forget to give it a star rating below!
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How long will iced cookies last at room temperature? Does this icing/iced cookies need to be refrigerated?
Hi there! It depends on the climate you live in. If itโs relatively dry and not too warm, you can store the iced cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to a week. You can also store them in the refrigerator. Place a layer of parchment paper between each layer of cookies.
Ok thx!
How many cookies will this recipe frost?
It depends how big your cookies are and how thick you apply it!
Looks fabulous thank you
Enjoy!
How long will cookies with this icing last? How long can cookies iced with this icing last at room temperature? Also this looks delicious and Iโm excited to try the icing
Hi Swasti โ It depends on the climate you live in. If itโs relatively dry and not too warm, you can store the iced cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to a week. You can also store them in the refrigerator. Place a layer of parchment paper between each layer of cookies.
Hi. Do the iced cookies refrigerate well with out getting cloudy!
Absolutely, Kathie!
Hi Kelly and Happy Holidays
I was wondering if you could put this icing in squeeze bottles to decorate cookies. My 3 granddaughters are coming this weekend and thatโs what they like to use.
Hi Rita! Absolutely! Just keep in mind itโll set within a few minutes so youโll want to transfer it into the squeeze bottles right before decorating. Also, you can use a slightly wider tip/mouth on the bottle because this isnโt like a flow icing. Have so much fun! What a cool Grandmother :)
I am excited to try this recipe as a flood icing for sugar cookies! Would it be okay as a base for a stiffer consistency, like royal icing? Or would it hold up as an outline consistency if I made this recipe stiffer with more powdered sugar? Based on the ingredients I would think itโll be delectable :)
Hi Steph! You could absolutely use this as a flood icing (I have done that many times!). It could also work as an outline frosting, but youโd need to stiffen it with additional powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Hi, thank you for the recipe. How long can the frosting be left at room temperature?
Hi Youssef! It depends on the climate you live in. If itโs relatively dry and not too warm, itโs great at room temp for a few days.
If I use dairy free butter will this still work? Thank you
Hi Anna! I havenโt tried this recipe with that substitute so Iโm not sure. Let me know if you try it!
Hi there! Is there a chocolate version of this??
Hi Katie! Itโs in the works :)
Can this be made a day ahead? If so, how should it be stored?
Itโll set so itโs best used right away, however you can microwave it to bring it back to a pliable consistency if needed.
Can I use 2% milk instead of whole milk?
Sure!
This looks great. Iโm wondering if the cookies are stackable after they set. Thanks
Hi Marianne! I would not recommend stacking them, as they may smear slightly if not fully set.
I used your sugar cookie recipe with this icing and everyone agrees that they are the absolute best cookies Iโve ever made! Thank you so much for sharing your easy-to-follow recipes and making me look like a great baker โ ha! :)
AMAZING! Iโm so thrilled you enjoyed the recipes, Carly!
Hi there
could the icing work with margarine, water and a non fat milk?
Slight dairy allergy so always on the lookout for recipes that can be adapted.
Hi there! I havenโt tried making a recipe with those ingredients so Iโm not sure.
Could this icing be piped on I stead of the other 2 methods mentioned?
That should work! Iโd use it as a flood icing and not an outline.