Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens

Name: Sugar Cookie Icing That Hardens
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: Makes enough for several dozen cookies
Ingredients: 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons meringue powder; 1/4 cup water; Food coloring (optional)

Elevate your holiday cookie decorating with this easy-to-make sugar cookie icing that sets perfectly for a flawless finish. This simple recipe allows you to create vibrant designs and intricate details on your cookies, ensuring they look as amazing as they taste. Perfect for festive gatherings, this icing dries firm to the touch, making it ideal for stacking and gifting your delightful treats.

Created by

Aubrey Whitman

Last updated on 2025-12-10T08:28:08.665Z

This sugar cookie icing offers a perfect way to add a personal touch to your holiday cookies. Its ease of preparation and vibrant results make it a favorite among bakers.

Perfect for Any Occasion

This sugar cookie icing is not just for holidays; it's versatile enough for any celebration. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, graduation, or just a sunny day, your cookies can be transformed into edible art. The ability to customize colors and designs makes this icing a great choice for themed parties or events.

Imagine creating cookies that mirror your favorite sports team's colors or decorating them for a baby shower or wedding. The possibilities are endless with this simple recipe, making it a go-to for any cookie decorating tasks throughout the year.

Easy to Work With

One of the best features of this icing is its convenience. It dries beautifully and hardens perfectly, allowing you to stack and package your cookies without worrying about smudging. This quality makes it ideal for both personal baking projects and for selling treats at bake sales or holiday markets.

Additionally, the icing's firmness ensures that any intricate details you've piped onto the cookies will maintain their shape and design, resulting in professional-looking cookies that everyone will admire. Even if you're new to cookie decorating, you'll find this icing easy to use and rewarding.

Customizable and Creative

With just a few drops of food coloring, your icing can be transformed into a rainbow of vibrant shades. This allows for endless creativity when designing your cookies. You can create subtle pastels for an elegant look or bold colors for a festive touch. Don't be afraid to get artistic and experiment with color mixing to find your unique palette.

In addition to color variations, you can also easily achieve different icing consistencies. By adjusting the amount of water you use, you can create a thicker icing for outlining or a thinner one for flooding. This flexibility means each batch can be tailored to meet your specific decorating needs.

Ingredients

Icing Ingredients

2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons meringue powder
1/4 cup water
Food coloring (optional)

Mix all ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Steps

Prepare the Icing

In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add water until the mixture reaches a thick but pourable consistency.

Color the Icing

If desired, divide the icing into smaller bowls and add food coloring to achieve your preferred hues.

Decorate Your Cookies

Using a piping bag or a sturdy plastic bag with a corner snipped off, outline and flood the cookies with the icing. Allow to dry completely.

Once dry, your cookies are ready to be stacked or gifted!

Tips for Successful Decorating

To achieve the best results when decorating your cookies, ensure that your icing is mixed thoroughly. A smooth consistency without lumps will help create clean lines and vivid colors. Remember to let your cookies cool completely before icing; warm cookies can cause the icing to melt and lose its form.

If you're working with multiple colors, consider using separate piping bags for each color. This prevents colors from muddling together and contributes to a more polished final product. Have fun with your designs, and don't hesitate to try new techniques like marbling or adding sprinkles for extra flair.

Storing Iced Cookies

Once your cookies have fully dried, storing them properly will keep them fresh and maintain their lovely designs. Place the cookies in an airtight container, layering sheets of parchment paper between them to prevent sticking. This is especially useful if you've added any delicate decorations you don't want to damage.

For longer storage, you can freeze your iced cookies. The icing will hold up well in the freezer, allowing you to prepare batches in advance. Just make sure to thaw them at room temperature to avoid condensation that could affect their appearance.

Inspiring Cookie Decorating Ideas

Consider drawing inspiration from nature, crafts, or even your favorite books and movies. Each theme can spark creative cookie designs that intrigue and delight your loved ones. For a seasonal twist, think about incorporating elements from the current holidays or events around you.

You can also look into popular trends in cookie decorating, such as watercolor effects or intricate lace patterns. Utilizing stencils or cookie cutters shaped like stars, hearts, or favorite characters can elevate your designs and make them even more appealing!

Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use this icing for other desserts?

Yes, this icing works well for decorating cakes and pastries too!

→ How long does the icing take to harden?

The icing usually takes about 8 hours to harden completely, depending on the humidity.