Learn the easiest method to make Sugar Cookie Icing for decorating cookies for every day and holidays. It hardens on the cookies, takes minutes, and doesn’t require any fussy ingredients.
Each year, when we make our Healthy Sugar Cookies and Easy Christmas Cookies for kids, this is the easy icing we use. It takes minutes to make, is easy to apply to cookies, and has a gentle sweetness perfect for kids.
Quick Look: Sugar Cookie Icing for Decorating
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 16-24
- Flavor Profile: Simple vanilla sweetness
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for decorating cookies with kids
- Why to Make: It adds a fun, and yummy, element to cookies!
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Table of Contents
This is great to make for baking with kids since it’s so simple. You can leave it white or add food coloring. You can apply it to cookies with a spoon, a knife, an offset spatula, or my personal favorite, a paintbrush. (That last one is SO good for kids to do!)
Why This Recipe Works
With just 2 basic ingredients (and zero raw egg whites or egg white powder), you can make the easiest icing for sugar cookies and cut-out cookies to make cookie decorating with kids simpler.
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this easy Sugar Cookie Icing for decorating cookies.
- Powdered sugar: A little powdered sugar provides sweetness and also helps ensure the icing hardens on the cookies.
- Milk: I typically use whole milk since that’s what I keep in my kitchen but any type of milk will work including nondairy and cream.
- Food coloring: This is optional if you want to make the icing different colors. Feel free to use a favorite food coloring, including options that are plant-based.
How to Make This Sugar Cookie Icing for Decorating
Here’s a preview of how to make this sugar cookie icing for decorating cookies so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full information, including the amounts and timing.
Step 1. Add the ingredients to a medium bowl. Stir with a spoon to evenly combine.
Step 2. Add food coloring, if using. Usually 1 drop is enough. Apply to fully cooled cookies using a knife, small spatula, offset knife, or a clean paintbrush.
Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe for Decorating FAQs
If the mixture seems too runny, add a little more powdered sugar. The mixture should be a similar thickness to runny yogurt.
Add a drop of milk. It will thin out really fast with a very small amount of liquid.
Assume it will be messy and set up your work area to be able to handle the mess. Maybe that means putting things on the counter out of reach or covering the table in a washable tablecloth. Maybe it means bibs on the kids. Try to limit your own multitasking while they work so you can help as needed. (It probably will be messy and that’s okay!
Add them, if using, to the cookies right after applying the icing so it’s still wet and the sprinkles have something to stick to.
How to Store
This icing is best used soon after making since it does harden as it sits. So use it, then store your iced cookies!
Best Tips for Success
- Know that a very small amount of milk goes a long way when mixed with powdered sugar so do your best to follow the recipe even if you think there should be more milk.
- Use with my Healthy Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Sugar Cookies, and Easy Christmas Cookies for Kids.
More Easy Baking for Kids
Desserts
Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Desserts
Favorite Apple Oatmeal Cookies
Desserts
Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment below to share!
Sugar Cookie Icing for Decorating
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 1-2 drops food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Add the powdered sugar to a small bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of milk and stir to make a thick but spreadable icing. If the icing is still too thick, add the second teaspoon of milk. (You want it to be able to spread easily on the cookies and not be too thick. If you place some on the cookies and it runs right off, add a little more powdered sugar. If it's too thick to spread, add a drop or 2 of milk.)
- You can color the icing with a drop of food coloring if desired.
- Use a small butter knife or paintbrush to spread on the icing or pipe on as desired. If adding sprinkles or other decorations, add them to the iced cookies right away before it dries.
Notes
- Store prepared cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
- Know that a very small amount of milk goes a long way when mixed with powdered sugar so do your best to follow the recipe even if you think there should be more milk.
- Dairy-free: Use your favorite nondairy milk.
- Feel free to add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract if desired.
- Use with my Healthy Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Sugar Cookies, and Easy Christmas Cookies for Kids.
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