Skip royal icing and try this easy icing for decorating cookies. Ready in just a minute, this simple glaze icing will turn your plain sugar cookies into festive treats!
Why you’ll love this Powdered Sugar Icing Recipe
Unless you’re a professional cookie decorator who makes one-of-a-kind art with cookies and icing, this simple 2-ingredient powdered sugar glaze is exactly what you need to decorate your holiday cookies! Here’s why:
- Quick and easy to make – less than a minute to make!
- Easy to customize – start with just 2 ingredients and add flavors and coloring, if desired!
- No-fuss decorating – perfect for kids and beginners!
Royal Icing vs Sugar Glaze Icing
Royal icing is made of meringue powder or whipped egg whites and powdered sugar. It sets quickly and ideal for intricate piped designs!
Easy glaze icing, on other hand, is made of powdered sugar and liquid. While it’s quite easy to work with, it takes a little longer to set. But once set, you can stack the glazed cookies.
Simple Icing Recipe Ingredients
You can make the simplest icing with just powdered sugar and water. It’ll taste nothing but sugar, and I love it that way.
But, you can also jazz up this basic version with vanilla extract, milk and corn syrup. Milk makes the glaze nice and creamy. And corn syrup yields a glaze with a nice sheen after drying.
How to make Icing with Powdered Sugar
This method is practically foolproof. And to be perfectly honest, I don’t even measure anything.
- Add powdered sugar in a bowl and stir in water (or milk, or vanilla extract) until the desired consistency is reached.
- To test the consistency, let the glaze pour off the spoon. The glaze should fall into a ribbon and hold the shape for a few seconds before melting back into the glaze.
Sugar Glaze Tips and Tools
- If the glaze is too thick, add a drop of water and test again.
- If the glaze is too runny, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Feel free to color the icing with any food coloring (water-soluble).
- If using vanilla extract, add it first and then add water (or milk) a little at time until proper consistency reached.
- If you want your icing set with a nice sheen, add 1 teaspoon light corn syrup.
- Use a squeeze bottle or piping bag with round tip for decorating cookies.
- If using colored sugar or sprinkles on top of the icing, add them immediately after icing the cookies.
- Let the glazed cookies set overnight before stacking and packaging.
Ways to use Powdered Sugar Icing
This icing is so versatile and perfect for drizzling over…
- Bundt cakes
- Coffee cakes
- Pastries like danishes, rugelach, donuts
- Muffins
- Cinnamon rolls
Powdered Sugar Glaze FAQ
You can use milk instead of water for better flavor. You can also add a touch of vanilla extract, lemon juice, or any other extracts you wish.
It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to use, bring it to room temperature and whisk it until smooth. You may need to add a little bit of water to thin it out as needed.
Powdered sugar is the key ingredient in this icing. Mix it with a liquid of choice to make a delicious icing to finish off your dessert.
No. You won’t get the same consistency with a regular sugar.
Easy Powdered Sugar Icing
Ingredients
- 2 cups (260g) powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons water (or milk) Note 1
Instructions
To make the icing:
- Add powdered sugar in a bowl and stir in water (or milk, or vanilla extract) until the desired consistency is reached.
- To test the consistency, let the glaze pour off the spoon. The glaze should fall into a ribbon and hold the shape for a few seconds before melting back into the glaze.
- If the glaze is too thick, add a drop of water and test again. If the glaze is too runny, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Feel free to add food coloring to make colored icing.
To decorate cookies:
- Transfer the icing into a squeeze bottle, or a piping bag with small round tip. Decorate the cookies and let the icing set. (TIP: If you want to stack and package the glazed cookies, make sure to let the icing set overnight.)
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Facts:
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