• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Cleverly Simple
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index (Search)
    • View ALL Recipes
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Venison
      • Casseroles
      • Freezer Cooking
      • Pizza and Pasta
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
      • Cake
      • Cookies
      • Pies
    • Salad
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soup
  • Farmhouse
    • Farmhouse Renovation
    • Farmhouse Living
  • About
    • Meet Lynette
    • Contact
    • Travel
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Farmhouse
  • About
×

Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Easy Sugar Cookie Icing

Easy Sugar Cookie Icing

By Lynette on May 10, 2021 · 264 Comments

Jump To Recipe Print Recipe
sugar cookie icing frosting
cookie icing
sugar cookies with icing on cooling rack

Make the most delicious sugar cooking icing with only two ingredients! This super simple recipe is made without corn syrup. You can make it as thick (think multi-colored decorating) or thin (think glaze) as you like!

If you like this recipe for your cookies, you’ll also love this lemon cream cheese frosting or chocolate icing recipe for your cakes.

sugar cookies with icing on cooling rack

The Easiest Icing Ever!

Many holidays call for sugar cookies in a variety of shapes and sizes. When you get that itch to roll out the dough, first start with this sugar cookie recipe. (It’s the best.) Once you have your cookies cooled, all you need is two – yes, two – ingredients to make delicious icing for your cookies.

You start with the simple ingredients of powdered sugar and milk.  And, of course, make sure you have your sugar cookies baked and cooled.

powdered sugar and milk mixed in a bowl with fork

How to Make Sugar Cookie Icing without Corn Syrup

  1. Mix: Combine the powdered sugar and milk by mixing with a fork until smooth.  The powdered sugar will dissolve as you stir.
  2. Color:  Add your favorite food coloring (optional) to create unique colors for your cookies.
  3. Pipe: Using an icing bag or even a sandwich bag, pipe the icing onto your cooled cookies. Use a knife to spread.
icing in sandwich bags

Icing Tips and Tricks

Make your icing thicker. If you want your icing to be thicker, add more powdered sugar and stir.

Make your icing more thin (like a glaze). Add more milk. Just a little bit goes a long way!

Make your icing right before you use it. This icing does start to dry out and harden, which is what makes it so great for cookies! That being said, if you make it too far ahead of time, it will start to harden and make it much harder to add to the cookies.

How to pipe without a piping bag. I use sandwich bags! Fill a sandwich bag with icing after adding the food coloring. Seal the sandwich bag. Snip the corner and pipe onto cookies.

using knife to spread icing on cookie

Icing FAQs

Does this icing harden?

Yes! If you use the exact recipe, the milk will evaporate and harden. It’s not super hard but creates a thick outer crust to allow you to stack your dried cookies.

How do I store the cookies once I’ve added the icing?

Once the icing has hardened, I store them in a large rectangular food storage container with a layer of wax paper between each layer of cookies.

Can you freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can. However, the darker colors added to the icing will discolor after freezing. That’s why I recommend freezing your cookies without icing. Then add icing to the cookies once defrosted and ready to serve.

Do I need to refrigerate the cookies after I add the icing?

No. The cookies with icing are fine at room temperature stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Can I add vanilla extract to the frosting for my little vanilla fan?

Yes. Start with ¼ teaspoon of vanilla and add more to taste.

What kind of milk should I use for this recipe?

I use 2% of whole milk with success. I would avoid using skim.

Watch How Easy It Is To Make This Icing

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
best sugar cookie icing

Easy Sugar Cookie Icing (2 Ingredients)

★★★★★ 4.4 from 18 reviews
  • Author: Lynette Rice
  • Prep Time: 3 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 min
  • Total Time: 3 minutes
  • Yield: 1
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Make the most delicious sugar cooking icing with only two ingredients! This super simple recipe is made without corn syrup. You can make it as thick (think multi-colored decorating) or thin (think glaze) as you like!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 teaspoons milk

Instructions

  1. Mix: Combine the powdered sugar and milk in a bowl by mixing with a fork until smooth.  The powdered sugar will dissolve as you stir.
  2. Color:  Add your favorite food coloring (optional) to create unique colors for your cookies.
  3. Pipe: Using an icing bag or even a sandwich bag, pipe the icing onto your cooled cookies. Use a knife to spread.

Equipment

piping bags

Piping Bag

Buy Now →
offset spatulas

Offset Spatula

Buy Now →
food coloring by Wilton

Food Coloring

Buy Now →

Notes

Make your icing thicker. If you want your icing to be thicker, add more powdered sugar and stir.

Make your icing more like a glaze. Add more milk. Just a little bit goes a long way!

How to pipe without a piping bag. I use sandwich bags! Fill a sandwich bag with icing after adding the food coloring. Seal the sandwich bag. Snip the corner and pipe onto cookies.

Make your icing right before you use it. This icing does start to dry out and harden, which is what makes it so great for cookies! That being said, if you make it too far ahead of time, it will start to harden and make it much harder to add to the cookies.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Tablespoon
  • Calories: 50
  • Sugar: 12.4
  • Sodium: 1.4
  • Fat: .1
  • Carbohydrates: 12.6
  • Protein: .1
  • Cholesterol: .2

Keywords: sugar cookie icing, sugar cookie icing without corn syrup

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cleverlysimple on Instagram and hashtag it #cleverlysimple

More Cookies Recipes to Try

  • Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
  • The Microwave Easy Way to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels
  • Grandma’s Brickle Cookies
  • The Best Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

This post was updated with more details and pictures. The recipe remains the same.

« Oven Baked Smores Dip
Old Fashioned Frozen Fruit Salad »

About Lynette

Lynette is the home cook, recipe tester and photographer for Cleverly Simple which she created in 2010.  Most of her recipes come from the treasured recipe box passed down from her great-grandma, grandmother, and mother.

Lynette’s recipes and projects have been featured in Country Living, Good Housekeeping, House Beautiful and others.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gracie

    June 29, 2020 at 2:26 pm

    Will this harden completely? Also, how long will it take to harden?

    Reply
    • Lynette

      July 07, 2020 at 12:23 pm

      It will harden enough that you can stack the cookies. The time it takes to harden depends on the humidity at the time you’re making it.

      Reply
  2. Rainer

    April 17, 2020 at 11:18 am

    Very cool! But the icing is a little runny

    ★★★

    Reply
    • Lynette

      April 27, 2020 at 10:19 am

      Hi! To make it thicker you can add more powdered sugar. In the future, when you make it again, you can use less milk from the beginning. This recipe is very versatile!

      Reply
  3. Leah

    December 20, 2019 at 4:31 pm

    Will the icing keep in the ziploc bags if I make it the day before using?

    Reply
    • Maria Delosa

      December 21, 2019 at 7:23 pm

      I like to know this myself cause I dont like to waste anything. I just made 2 bags to check out the icing since I made the cookies and I dont want them to go to waste since I got the color just right and I am gonna color them tomorrow. So I want to know if they will keep in the bag for tomorrow if I twist tie them ?

      Reply
      • Lynette

        December 22, 2019 at 6:00 pm

        You can store them in an airtight container but make sure to press out all the air. When I store the icing in Tupperware I add a layer of plastic wrap and press it into the icing to create an airtight seal. Any air will start to dry out the icing. Enjoy!

        Reply
  4. Melissa

    December 09, 2019 at 4:57 am

    Do I need to refrigerate the cookies? Since the icing is made with milk?

    Reply
    • Lynette

      December 20, 2019 at 3:19 pm

      No, you do not need to refrigerate. Store in an airtight container if using within 3 days. If not, I typically freeze them and let them thaw before enjoying.

      Reply
  5. Alice Webb

    July 24, 2019 at 12:57 pm

    Could you add Corn Syrup to this?

    Reply
  6. mari bennett

    March 11, 2019 at 1:54 pm

    Can you substitute buttermilk or non fat milk for this recipe?

    Reply
    • Lynette

      March 11, 2019 at 2:05 pm

      Non fat milk would work as a substitution. With less fat content it may alter the richness but I think overall it will be fine. Buttermilk can have a sour taste so I wouldn’t recommend using it.

      Reply
  7. Karen

    January 22, 2019 at 9:36 pm

    I’ve always used water and love the glaze! My problem is decorating over the glaze. The darker decorating colors fade into the background color. Would using milk eliminatethis problem, or do you have any other suggestions? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lynette

      January 29, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      Hi. If you’re wanting to do a color on top of another color, you will need to let the first layer completely dry and then add the next layer of icing.

      Reply
  8. Sue

    December 01, 2018 at 9:26 am

    I was wondering if how to store the icing when done with it. want to use it again and have plenty left over for more cookies later. does it go in frig. will be trying today with my granddaughter.. Thanks for all your help..

    Reply
    • Lynette

      December 03, 2018 at 10:03 am

      I typically don’t save it. But you could store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator? I’m not sure if it will start to harden on it’s own? Let me know how it goes.

      Reply
  9. BJ

    November 16, 2018 at 6:28 am

    hi-will this icing harden as it dries? thanks

    Reply
    • Lynette

      November 16, 2018 at 8:16 am

      Yes, this icing will harden. If you put it on thick it will take longer to harden and may have a bit of a softer under-shell, but overall, it’s an icing that hardens so that you can stack the cookies.

      Reply
  10. Margaret

    September 03, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    That’s the frosting to make it chocolate

    Reply
    • Anna

      December 14, 2020 at 5:16 am

      How to make chocolate icing?

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Lynette

        December 14, 2020 at 2:45 pm

        Hi! Chocolate icing is very different. I have a great recipe HERE.

        Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

welcome image

Lynette Rice head shotHi, I’m Lynette. My desire is to help women who feel uninspired weave time honored recipes into their routines to create a sense of simplicity. Most of my recipes come from the treasured recipe box passed down from my great-grandma, grandmother and mother. And I want to share them with you.  Learn more.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Join Me On Pinterest!

Visit Cleverly Simple 's profile on Pinterest.

Footer

Cleverly Simple logo

Copyright © 2010 – 2021, Cleverly Simple®. All Rights Reserved.

No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission. By using this site, you are agreeing to the site’s terms of use. Cleverly Simple® is a registered trademark of Cleverly Simple, LLC.

  • About
  • Contact
  • PR/Media
  • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2022 CLEVERLY SIMPLE