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Simple Hardening Icing for Sugar Cookies

Close-up of a baked sugar cookie topped with bright yellow and blue icing using the sugar cookie icing recipe.
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A straightforward recipe for icing that dries firm, perfect for detailed decorating and stacking sugar cookies.

Ingredients

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  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 6 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder.
  2. Add the warm water and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
  3. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, then increase to medium-high speed.
  4. Beat for 5 to 7 minutes until the icing is very thick, glossy, and holds stiff peaks. This is your base icing consistency.
  5. To achieve a flooding consistency for filling in areas, add water one teaspoon at a time, mixing well after each addition, until the icing slowly falls from the whisk in a ribbon that disappears into the surface after about 10 seconds.
  6. To achieve a piping consistency for outlining, use the icing as is, or add just a few drops of water if it seems too stiff.
  7. Use the icing immediately for outlining and flooding your cooled sugar cookies.
  8. Allow the cookies to sit at room temperature until the icing is completely dry and hard, which usually takes several hours or overnight.

Notes

  • For coloring, divide the base icing into separate bowls and mix in gel food coloring until the desired shade is reached. Gel colors work best to avoid thinning the icing.
  • If the icing becomes too thick while you are working, stir in a few drops of water to restore the correct consistency.
  • This icing dries hard, making it suitable for stacking cookies or packaging them for gifts.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonfulsnap.com/sugar-cookie-icing-recipe/