Easy Sugar Cookie Frosting / Icing
This flexible frosting/icing recipe is great for decorating sugar cookies. You can use different flavor extracts or food colorings to create an endless variety of cookie options. Makes enough to decorate approximately 20 cookies.
Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 4-6 teaspoons milk
- 4 teaspoons light corn syrup
- Pinch of salt
- Flavoring of your choice (my favorites are vanilla extract, lemon extract and peppermint extract)
- Food coloring of your choice (McCormick NEON! Colors were used in this post)
Instructions
- In a mixer bowl using an electric mixer or stand mixer, combine powdered sugar and 4 teaspoons of milk, starting the mixer very slowly on low. As mixture starts to combine, add in corn syrup. Beat well to combine. If mixture is too thick, add more milk, about 1/2 tsp at a time (a tiny bit can make a difference so go slow!). Beat until frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Divide frosting into multiple bowls if desired, and add color and flavor to each bowl. For white frosting, it's best to stick with a clear extract such as peppermint or lemon. For the entire recipe, start with about 1/2 tsp of your extract of choice and flavor to taste. With food coloring, start with one to two drops, and increase until desired shade is reached.
- Frosting can be adjusted to meet your desired consistency. If you want a more liquid like "flood" icing, add more milk, a tiny bit at a time. If you want a thicker frosting to spread on, slowly add more sifted powdered sugar, approximately a teaspoon at a time. This frosting is very flexible and forgiving. If frosting thickens as you are working with it, you can always add a few more drops of milk and stir well to combine. Allow cookies 4-6 hours for frosting to dry so that it is firm to the touch.
Notes
Feel free to double this recipe if you are a making a large batch of cookies.
Remember, when making icing, a little milk, powdered sugar, flavor extract or food coloring can go a long way. Always add extras in very small amounts, and increase as needed.
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.