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The Ultimate 4-Ingredient Sugar Cookie Icing That Sets Rock Hard and Stays Glossy

A plate of sugar cookies topped with brightly colored, hard-set sugar cookie icing and sprinkles.
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Make bakery style sugar cookie icing that hardens perfectly every time. This easy recipe uses only four ingredients to create a smooth, glossy finish ideal for detailed cookie decorating.

Ingredients

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  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 4 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 6 tablespoons water, plus more for thinning
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder until fully combined.
  2. Add the water and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
  3. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer until the ingredients are just combined and no dry streaks remain.
  4. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 3 to 5 minutes until the icing is smooth and glossy.
  5. Check the consistency. For piping details, the icing should hold a soft peak. For flooding, add water one teaspoon at a time until the icing flows smoothly off the mixer beater and sinks back into the bowl within 10 seconds.
  6. Divide the icing into bowls and mix in gel food coloring as desired.
  7. Use immediately for outlining cookies. Let the outline set for 15 minutes before flooding the center with thinner icing.
  8. Allow cookies to dry uncovered at room temperature until the icing is completely hard to the touch, which may take 4 to 8 hours depending on humidity.

Notes

  • For the smoothest texture, sift your powdered sugar before measuring and mixing.
  • If your icing cracks when dry, you added too much liquid. Add a tablespoon of sifted powdered sugar to correct the batch.
  • If the icing is too thick to flood, add water sparingly, half a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the correct consistency for perfect flooding.
  • Store unused icing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days; remix gently before use.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/sugar-cookie-icing-that-sets-hard/