To get that nice glossy icing on a cookie that hardens without egg whites was not as hard as I expected. You can make this icing a little thicker or thinner by adding more or less rice milk. Use whatever color dye you want to create a beautiful cookie that everyone else will envy. Just make sure to let the cookies sit for at least a few hours (preferably overnight) for the icing to fully set and harden before stacking.

Royal Icing
To get that nice glossy icing on a cookie that hardens without egg whites was not as hard as I expected. You can make this icing a little thicker or thinner by adding more or less rice milk. Use whatever color dye you want to create a beautiful cookie that everyone else will envy. Just make sure to let the cookies sit for at least a few hours (preferably overnight) for the icing to fully set and harden before stacking.
Nutrition
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium sized bowl, stir together confectioners’ sugar and rice milk until smooth.
- Beat in corn syrup and vanilla extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more rice milk. If too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Divide into separate bowls. Add food colorings to desired intensity.
- If desired, put the icing into cellophane cones (see video) or ziploc baggies with a very small corner off. Pipe the icing onto the cookies.
- Allow icing to harden completely (ideally overnight) before stacking cookies.
Notes
Reader Q&A:
Q: hi! can you make the icing ahead of time? Hoping to make the icing tonight and decorate the cookies tomorrow. Thanks! A: yes
Q: Can you freeze this icing? A: It might separate a little, so you would need to re-stir it.
Q: Hi! It seems like I can only find light corn syrup with vanilla already in it. Do I just leave the vanilla extract out? A: yes
Q: Can I freeze frosted gingerbread or sugar cookies with this icing? A: yes
Q: hi! can you make the icing ahead of time? Hoping to make the icing tonight and decorate the cookies tomorrow. Thanks! A: yes
Q: Can you freeze this icing? A: It might separate a little, so you would need to re-stir it.
Q: Hi! It seems like I can only find light corn syrup with vanilla already in it. Do I just leave the vanilla extract out? A: yes
Q: Can I freeze frosted gingerbread or sugar cookies with this icing? A: yes



