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Sugar Cookie Glaze

4.34 from 6 votes
Bree HesterBy Bree Hester
Bree Hester
Bree Hester Founder of Baked Bree

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. O…

Expertise: Recipe developer, food photographer and writer View all posts →
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This simple Sugar Cookie Glaze recipe makes a delicious glossy sugar cookie frosting that hardens as it dries. With just 4-ingredients, you can make a perfect frosting for your next batch of sugar cookies which will make them look picture perfect.

Sweet decorated sugar cookies with red and green sprinkles on a white plate for Christmas.

I really love a freshly baked frosted sugar cookie with crispy edges, a chewy center and topped with royal icing, however, sometimes I do not have the time or the energy for all of that (make the icing, pipe the edges, thin the icing, flood the cookie; you get the idea).

When time is a constraint and I am looking to make a simple and easy cookie icing, I make this almond-scented cookie glaze from scratch. This is my go-to sugar cookie glaze and it is also a manageable to make with kids. I dip the cookie in the glaze and let the kids go wild with decorating these cookies with sprinkles and sparkles. So gather your ingredients and let’s whip up this quick and easy sugar cookie glaze for any of the upcoming holidays.

Multiple containers of baking ingredients, including corn syrup, almond extract, and food coloring, on a kitchen countertop.

Tips & Tricks

  • This basic sugar cookie glaze makes a glossy coating that is milky white in color. To add a pigmented color to your cookie glaze, simply mix the amount of glaze you need for your cookies with food coloring drops.
  • A reader mentioned they whisked cocoa powder into the glaze for the added color and cocoa flavor and that sounds delicious as well.
  • If you’re frosting a large batch of sugar cookies or really large sugar cookies, you’ll need to make a few batches of this glaze.
  • Although I should make my cookies aesthetically perfect by spreading the glaze onto them neatly with a spatula, I prefer just dipping the cookie straight into the bowl of glaze.
Cream-covered dough ball being dipped in a bowl of white glaze.

Why is Sugar Cookie Glaze So Good?

  • It is super easy to make. You just whisk the ingredients together, coat your cookies in it and like magic, the glaze hardens into a shiny, glossy finish.
  • With food coloring, you can make this glaze any color you want.
  • It’s super useful. Use this glaze to frost cookies, cakes, and cupcakes, and to drizzle over breakfast pastries.
  • Make beautifully decorated sugar cookies for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, etc.
Colorful sugar cookies with festive sprinkles on a cooling rack.

How to Use Sugar Cookie Glaze

This sweet and sugary glaze isn’t limited to just frosting sugar cookies. Below are more delicious ways to use sugar cookie glaze.

  • Use sugar cookie glaze to frost doughnut cookie sandwiches
  • Drizzle the glaze over freshly baked cinnamon buns
  • Dip cake pops in this glaze and then transfer the pops to the freezer to let the glaze harden around the cake ball
  • Use this glaze as icing on a Funfetti Cake
  • Drizzle over Christmas scones and Chocolate chip muffins
Festive holiday cookies decorated with red, white, and green sprinkles in a red gift box for Christmas.

How to Store & Freeze

Storing: Before storing the glazed cookies, give the glaze enough time to harden completely. Then, put the cookies in an airtight container and store them at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to a week. If stored in the refrigerator, they will last for up to 2 weeks.

Freezing: Before freezing, the glaze needs to be completely set. Arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for about an hour or until the cookies freeze solid. Then, wrap individually frozen sugar cookies in wax paper or plastic wrap and freeze in a container for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature. before serving.

*To store any leftover cookie glaze, transfer it to an airtight container in the fridge and use it within 2 days.

FAQ

Is this sugar cookie glaze good for piping?

This glaze is better for spreading with a spatula or dipping cookies into it. Because of its lower sugar content, it doesn’t harden as much and isn’t dense enough to be piped.

What can I do if I don’t have powdered sugar to make this glaze?

If you do not have powdered sugar, you can use granulated sugar pulverized into finely powdered sugar.

What is the difference between royal icing and glaze icing?

Royal icing is a thicker, more dense cooking frosting that is perfect for piping and layering on sugar cookies and cakes. Glaze icing takes just a minute to make and results in a thinner cookie glaze.

How long do sugar cookies last without icing?

To safely store baked, un-iced sugar cookies, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2 days or freeze for 3 months.

Decorated sugar cookies with white, red, and green sprinkles on a cooling rack.

Sugar Cookie Glaze

Bree Hester
4.34 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course desserts
Cuisine baking
Servings 1 cup
Calories 28 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • baked sugar cookies
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon corn syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Put the sugar, corn syrup, and extract into a bowl. Add 1 Tablespoon of the water.
    Fine salt in a white bowl for baking, with baking ingredients on a speckled countertop.
  • Whisk until the mixture is smooth. You may need to add more water to get the right consistency. Add a few drops at a time. I know that sounds like an overkill, but it goes from close to being perfect to completely runny in just a few drops.
    Flour and liquid mixture in a white bowl for baking, with baking ingredients in the background.
  • Dip your baked and cooled cookies into the glaze. Let the excess drip off.
    Cream-covered dough ball being dipped in a bowl of white glaze.
  • Put the cookies on a rack. I like to line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and then add the rack to make the clean-up easier.
  • Add sprinkles and let them to dry until completely hard. I would give it a couple of hours.
    Colorful sugar cookies with festive sprinkles on a cooling rack.
  • Put on a plate with a glass of milk and leave them for Santa. Don't forget the reindeer food. Or…You could pack them up in a Christmas themed packaging and give them to your Secret Santa.

Nutrition

Calories: 28kcalCarbohydrates: 6gSodium: 5mg
Keyword almond glaze, decorated sugar cookies, sugar cookie glaze
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Bree Hester

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. Over the years it has evolved into so much more than that. While Bree may have hung up her apron for the last time, the reins have now been passed over to a passionate team of foodies.

Reader Interactions

Published: Dec 4, 2022 | Updated: Dec 17, 2025
4.34 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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