Easy Sugar Cookie Icing Without Corn Syrup Recipe (2024)

Published on by Maggie Turansky

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Making sugar cookie icing without corn syrup is incredibly quick and easy and can have you decorating cookies in no time! If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to use corn syrup in the icing for your cookies, you’ll be pleased to find out you don’t need to!

Making a classic royal icing is, arguably, the best kind of icing for decorating sugar cookies anyway. And it only calls for three ingredients, can be made entirely by hand (if you have strong arms!) and is incredibly simple.

This sugar cookie icing recipe without corn syrup also sets up to be completely hard, much like the other icing, though it will have more of a matte finish rather than a glossy one (that is the one thing that corn syrup lends to the icing). It’s also a great way to use up leftover egg whites — for instance if you’ve been making aioli or caesar dressing!

So if you’re looking to make an icing for sugar cookies that doesn’t have any corn syrup, you’ll find this royal icing does just the trick!

Easy Sugar Cookie Icing Without Corn Syrup Recipe (1)

How to Make Sugar Cookie Icing Without Corn Syrup

You can make this icing in a stand mixer, using a hand mixer or entirely by hand so long as you have a whisk and a bit of upper body strength.

Obviously, the easiest and quickest way to make this is using a stand mixer, but the process is the same either way you choose to make the icing.

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What you need to do first is froth up your egg whites. In general, whites separate from the yolks much easier if they’re warm, however, they do whip up a bit more quickly if they’re room temperature.

You don’t need to whip the egg whites too much for this recipe, however, this is something to keep in mind if you’re making something meringue based, like my marshmallow recipe.

Add your egg whites to a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer) and whip until they’re frothy, about a minute or two. If you’re using a stand mixer, fit it with the whisk attachment and whip on medium-high.

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If using a hand mixer, then whip them on medium-high speed, as well. If you’re making these by hand, you’re going to have to whisk vigorously for a bit longer until you reach the desired results.

Once your egg whites are nice and frothy, it’s time to add some icing sugar and vanilla extract. Continue to mix this together until the sugar is completely incorporated into the egg whites and the icing is cohesive and glossy. At this point, the icing is done!

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You can then transfer it to a piping bag and begin decorating or, if you’d like, divide it into smaller bowls and colour the icing as you see fit.

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Keep in mind that the icing will set up if left exposed to air for too long, however, it will keep in the fridge (in an airtight container) for a couple of weeks. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before attempting to pipe it.

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Sugar Cookie Icing Without Corn Syrup

Yield: 250ml (2 cups)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This classic royal icing is the perfect way to ice sugar cookies without any corn syrup!

Ingredients

  • 2 (60g) egg whites
  • 350g (3 cups) icing (powdered) sugar
  • 10ml (2 teaspoons) vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. If using a stand mixer: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites on medium-high speed until frothy. If using a hand mixer: In a large mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with a hand mixer on medium-high speed until frothy. If making by hand: In a large mixing bowl, vigorously whisk the egg whites until frothy - this may take up to 5 minutes.
  2. Add the sugar and vanilla and continue to mix until well combined and the icing is cohesive and glossy. Transfer to a piping bag or add colouring as desired.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 2Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

Nutritional information is automatically generated and provided as guidance only. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

This sugar cookie icing recipe without corn syrup is so easy to make and incredibly versatile when it comes to all of the different colour and decorating possibilities!

Are you looking to make icing for sugar cookies? Have any questions about this recipe? Let me know in the comments!

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Easy Sugar Cookie Icing Without Corn Syrup Recipe (7)

Easy Sugar Cookie Icing Without Corn Syrup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can you use instead of corn syrup for icing? ›

You can substitute an equal amount of honey for light corn syrup in many recipes. Like maple syrup, honey is not the best choice for making candies or caramel because it may crystallize. However, it is a good option for making frostings, baked goods, jams, and jellies. Be sure to opt for raw honey whenever possible.

How do you make icing sugar if you don't have any? ›

If you have run out of icing sugar or can't find any to buy, you can make your own by whizzing granulated or caster sugar in a food processor, powerful blender, standard blender, coffee or spice grinder, or more laboriously, in a mortar and pestle.

What is the purpose of corn syrup in icing? ›

If you've struggled with dull royal icing in the past, adding a small amount of corn syrup will help to keep the icing shiny (even when dry).

What is sugar cookie icing made of? ›

Easy Sugar Cookie icing vs Royal Icing vs Cookie Frosting

This sugar cookie icing is a simple cookie glaze style icing - just made with powdered sugar and water. Royal icing is made with a base of either egg whites or meringue powder, and is opaque white, and sets super hard.

Does icing sugar need cornstarch? ›

Like powdered sugar, confectioners' sugar is made of finely ground granulated sugar. However, the key difference is the addition of cornstarch. Adding cornstarch to powdered sugar serves to prevent the sugar from caking up and getting clumpy over time.

How to make a sugar frosting? ›

Directions. In a small bowl combine powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Stir in additional milk or juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches drizzling consistency. Makes 1/2 cup (enough to drizzle over one 10-inch tube cake).

What's the difference between icing sugar and frosting? ›

Icing is thinner than frosting but not quite as thin as a glaze. Typically made with powdered sugar and liquid, such as water, milk, or juice, icing can be drizzled or spread. Icing has more shine and a smoother consistency than frosting.

Can you use honey as a substitute for corn syrup? ›

Honey has a similar consistency as corn syrup, but it tends to be a bit sweeter. While it does make for a great swap in baked goods, it should not be used for candy making. Use a 1:1 swap for corn syrup, but do keep in mind that honey may impart a distinct flavor when using it as an alternative.

Do you have to use corn syrup? ›

Alternatives to corn syrup

The advantage corn syrup has is its neutral flavor, but it's not the only invert sugar you can use. Honey, maple syrup, and molasses can stand in for corn syrup, with slight adjustments up or down for their sweetness levels.

What makes sugar cookies rise? ›

Mixing Butter & Sugar

Creaming is the act of mixing butter and sugar to incorporate air bubbles into the butter, creating a light and fluffy cookie.

What's the difference between frosting and icing on cookies? ›

Frosting is the thickest of these confections and is ideal for spreading or piping on cakes, cupcakes and cookies. Icing is a little thinner than frosting and is often poured or piped over coffee cakes, pound cakes, doughnuts and cookies—and it usually hardens when it dries.

What's the difference between cookie icing and regular icing? ›

Cookie icing can be used in the same way that royal icing can; however, it doesn't dry as hard as royal icing does. It's great for flooding cookies or piping designs into wet icing.

What is the difference between royal icing and sugar cookie icing? ›

Icing sugar is also called “10x”, “powdered” or “confectioner's” sugar. It's a very finely ground sugar mixed with about 3% corn starch by weight. Royal icing is made by mixing icing sugar with egg white. Generally a 3:4 ratio of egg whites to cups of icing sugar (3 egg whites to 4 cups icing sugar).

Can I replace icing sugar with cornstarch? ›

The answer is YES! To make homemade powdered sugar, you'll need two ingredients: granulated sugar and cornstarch. The magic ratio is 1 cup granulated sugar to 1 tablespoon cornstarch.

How do you thicken icing without cornstarch or sugar? ›

Use flour for cooked frostings.

If you are making warm frosting on your stovetop, you can try thickening a runny frosting with a bit of flour. Sprinkle 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp (5 ml to 15 ml) of flour into the frosting and stir over low heat on the stove until it begins to thicken.

Is maple syrup better than corn syrup? ›

- Maple syrup contains sucrose, while corn syrup contains glucose. - Maple syrup has some vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, while corn syrup has none. - Maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than corn syrup, meaning it causes less spikes in blood sugar levels.

References

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