#1: Powdered Sugar Icing for Cookies

When it comes to simplicity and speed, powdered sugar icing is truly in a league of its own. Beyond my original corn syrup-based recipe, this method is arguably the easiest to whip up. It relies on fundamental pantry staples, making it an ideal choice when you need a quick, no-fuss frosting solution. You’ll typically find yourself reaching for powdered sugar, milk (or water for a thinner glaze), vanilla extract for classic flavor, a touch of almond extract to enhance the cookie experience, and a tiny pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. This creates a versatile, pourable glaze perfect for a variety of sugar cookie applications.

Pros/Great when…

• You prefer a soft-set finish: This icing will set to a slightly firm but still soft glaze, offering a delightful texture that melts in your mouth without being crunchy.
• You’re decorating with a single color: Its pourable consistency makes it ideal for flooding cookies with one cohesive color, creating a smooth, elegant base.
• Intricate details aren’t the main goal: While it can be used for simple outlines, it’s best for a more rustic or minimalist decorating style.
• You need a quick solution: With basic ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a batch ready in minutes, perfect for last-minute treats.
• You’re avoiding corn syrup: This recipe naturally doesn’t require any corn syrup, making it a perfect alternative.
• Easy storage is key: Cookies frosted with this icing are generally safe to leave at room temperature for 2-3 days. If they contain milk, refrigerate or freeze them for longer storage to maintain freshness and safety.
• Recipes best paired with: This simple yet delicious icing beautifully complements classic Cut Out Sugar Cookies, providing a smooth canvas for their shapes.

Cons:

• Won’t dry completely hard: Unlike royal icing, this won’t achieve a rock-hard, stackable finish. This means cookies might be prone to smudging if stacked too soon or without proper care.
• Not ideal for fine details: The relatively thin consistency means it tends to spread, making it challenging to achieve crisp lines or delicate piping work.
• Can be very sweet: Due to the high content of powdered sugar, some people find this icing overly sweet. Adjusting the amount of liquid can help, but it will always be on the sweeter side.

#2: Royal Icing for Sugar Cookies

For those aspiring to create stunning, professional-looking decorated cookies, royal icing is often the go-to choice. Its defining characteristic is its ability to dry completely hard and crisp, making cookies not only beautiful but also stackable and shippable. Traditional royal icing inherently does not use corn syrup. Instead, it relies on meringue powder – a blend of dried egg whites, sugar, and stabilizers – to achieve its structure and hardening properties. This makes it an excellent corn syrup-free option for advanced decorating. With royal icing, you can achieve remarkable detail, from intricate lace patterns to precise lettering, allowing your creativity to truly shine.

Pros/Great when…

• You need a completely dry and hard finish: Ideal for storing, stacking, packaging, or shipping cookies without fear of smudging or damage.
• Intricate designs are your passion: Its stable consistency allows for extremely fine piping work, detailed patterns, and multi-layered decorations, holding shapes perfectly.
• You want to use multiple colors: Royal icing is perfect for creating defined borders and flooding areas with different colors, thanks to its ability to set quickly.
• Freezing decorated cookies: When iced with royal icing made with meringue powder, cookies freeze exceptionally well. The icing maintains its integrity without crystallizing, unlike some icings containing corn syrup. For more comprehensive guidance, discover how to freeze sugar cookies to preserve their quality.
• Naturally corn syrup-free: A key advantage for those specifically avoiding corn syrup in their baking.
• No refrigeration needed: Cookies decorated with royal icing made with meringue powder do not require refrigeration after frosting, making them excellent for gifting and events.
• Recipes best paired with: Its robust nature makes it the perfect partner for sturdy Cut Out Sugar Cookies, providing a firm base for elaborate decorations.

Cons:

• Requires meringue powder: This isn’t a common pantry staple for everyone. While readily available at craft stores like Michaels or large retailers like Walmart, it requires a special trip if you don’t keep it on hand.
• Can have a hard, crunchy texture: Some people find the hardened royal icing to be too firm or even crunchy when bitten into, which might not appeal to everyone’s texture preference.
• Consistency can be tricky: Mastering the various consistencies (outline, flood, detail) of royal icing takes practice. Too thick, and it won’t flood smoothly; too thin, and it will spread uncontrollably. I provide extensive tips on achieving the perfect consistency in my dedicated royal icing for sugar cookies post.

#3: Cream Cheese Frosting for Cookies

If your preference leans towards a lusciously creamy frosting rather than a hard, traditional icing, and you’re not concerned with elaborate decorating, then cream cheese frosting is an absolute winner. This delightful frosting offers a smooth, tangy cream cheese buttercream experience that transforms a simple sugar cookie into a rich, decadent treat. Its forgiving texture makes it incredibly easy to work with—you can simply spread it with a knife, use a piping bag for a more elegant swirl, or even improvise with a Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off. It’s perfect for a homestyle, comforting aesthetic that emphasizes flavor over intricate artistry.

Pros/Great when…

• Speed and flavor are paramount: When you need a quick frosting that delivers exceptional taste and a soft, spreadable texture, this is your go-to. Perfect for an unfussy, delicious dessert.
• Cookies need to freeze well: Frosted cookies maintain their quality beautifully in the freezer. This is a great make-ahead option for parties or future cravings. To prevent any smudging during the freezing process, learn more on how to freeze sugar cookies effectively.
• A corn syrup-free option is desired: This recipe inherently uses no corn syrup, offering a natural alternative for a creamy cookie topping.
• Recipes best paired with: This rich frosting is fantastic with both crisp Cut Out Sugar Cookies for a nice contrast, and especially delightful with softer, more tender No Roll Sugar Cookies, creating a truly melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Cons:

• Won’t fully harden for stacking: While it may develop a slight crust if left exposed (or refrigerated), this frosting will not harden completely. This means stacking is generally not recommended, as it could lead to smudged decorations. For specific tips on ideal stacking and storage for various cookie types, refer to my comprehensive guide on how to freeze sugar cookies.
• Not suitable for intricate piping: Its creamy, softer consistency means it won’t hold complex piped shapes or fine details. It’s best suited for spreading or simple swirls.
• Requires refrigeration: Due to the cream cheese content, cookies frosted with this recipe must be refrigerated to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage, especially if storing for more than a few hours.

#4: Pipeable Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting

If you’re aiming for a cookie that looks a little more dressed up than a simple spread but without the intense effort of intricate royal icing designs, my pipeable sugar cookie buttercream frosting is your perfect match. This recipe delivers a wonderfully thick, rich, and creamy frosting that’s specifically formulated to hold its shape when piped. It’s an excellent choice for adding decorative swirls, rosettes, or simple borders that elevate the appearance of your sugar cookies. Often paired with soft and thick sugar cookies, this buttercream creates a truly indulgent experience. Simply grab a star tip, pipe on generous swirls, and finish with a sprinkle of your favorite decorations for an irresistible treat.

Pros/Great when…

• You desire a thicker, creamier frosting: This buttercream offers a luxurious mouthfeel that traditional glazes simply cannot match, providing a satisfying, rich texture with every bite.
• You want to pipe simple designs: It’s designed to hold a piped shape beautifully, allowing you to create elegant swirls, stars, or simple borders with ease, adding a touch of sophistication to your cookies.
• Cookies need to freeze well after frosting: This buttercream holds up excellently in the freezer, meaning you can prepare cookies in advance and enjoy them later. For best practices to ensure your frosting remains flawless, consult my guide on how to freeze sugar cookies to prevent smudging and maintain quality.
• You’re intentionally avoiding corn syrup: This recipe is entirely free of corn syrup, making it a wonderful alternative for those who prefer to omit it from their baking.
• Recipes best paired with: This frosting is incredibly versatile, pairing beautifully with classic Cut Out Sugar Cookies for a clean base, and it’s especially delightful with the soft, pillowy texture of No Roll Sugar Cookies, creating a harmonious and indulgent combination.

Cons:

• Will not fully harden for stacking: Like cream cheese frosting, this buttercream will develop a slight crust if left out or refrigerated, but it will not harden completely. This means that stacking cookies is not recommended, as it can easily flatten or smudge your beautiful piped designs. For expert tips on optimal cookie storage and stacking strategies, especially for frosted cookies, please see my detailed guide on how to freeze sugar cookies.
• Best refrigerated for stability: While the generous amount of sugar in this buttercream does provide some stabilization (allowing it to technically remain at room temperature for 2-3 days), I strongly recommend refrigerating these frosted cookies. This prevents the buttercream from softening too much, which could cause your piped designs to “melt” down and lose their definition and shape.

Which icing tastes the best?

Ah, the age-old question of taste! This is, of course, highly subjective, but based on popular opinion and my own experience, certain icings offer a more indulgent flavor profile. If I had to rank them strictly according to taste, I generally find the richer, creamier options to be more appealing. My preferences tend to lean towards putting the cream cheese frosting or buttercream frosting ahead of the thinner, harder icings. However, if we’re considering ALL five of the icing and glaze recipes on my site (including my original corn syrup recipe), here’s how they would rank in terms of overall deliciousness:

1. Cream Cheese Frosting: Its tangy, rich, and ultra-creamy texture makes it a standout. It offers a wonderful contrast to the sweetness of the cookie.
2. Buttercream Frosting: This sweet, buttery, and thick frosting is pure indulgence, providing a luxurious mouthfeel that complements any soft cookie beautifully.
3. Easy Sugar Cookie Icing (uses corn syrup): While it contains corn syrup, its smooth, sweet, and slightly chewy glaze is undeniably delicious and a classic for a reason.
4. Royal Icing: Though fantastic for decorating, its hard, crisp texture and often intense sweetness make it less appealing to some for pure taste enjoyment compared to creamier alternatives.
5. Powdered Sugar Icing for Cookies: While simple and effective, its thin, very sweet profile can sometimes be perceived as less complex or satisfying than the others.