Ingredients
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk more as needed
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
Gel food coloring optional
Instructions
Mix the Icing: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. The mixture should be thick but still spreadable. If it’s too thick, add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
Add Corn Syrup and Flavoring: Stir in the light corn syrup and vanilla or almond extract. The corn syrup gives the icing a glossy finish and helps it harden. If you want to color the icing, add a few drops of gel food coloring at this stage and mix until the color is evenly distributed.
Check the Consistency: The icing should be thick enough to hold its shape when piped or spread but thin enough to settle smoothly on the cookie. If the icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thick, add a bit more milk.
Ice the Cookies: Spread or pipe the icing onto your cooled sugar cookies. For a smooth finish, gently shake or tap the cookie on the countertop to help the icing settle.
Let the Icing Harden: Allow the iced cookies to sit at room temperature for several hours or overnight until the icing is completely dry and hardened.