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? ›

Popular substitutes for corn syrup include maple syrup, honey, and molasses, among others. You may need to adjust the amount with some substitutes. Corn syrup is a common ingredient used to make everything from candies and caramel to frosting, baked goods, jams, and jellies.

What is the purpose of corn syrup in icing? ›

Royal Icing made with pasteurized egg whites results in an almost fool-proof product, but the addition of light corn syrup to it produces icings that dry with shiny surfaces. Depending on the humidity and other factors, however, your initial mixture will be either stiff or firm.

How do you substitute corn syrup for sugar? ›

If one wants to substitute another liquid sweetener, such as corn syrup, honey, or golden syrup, for granulated sugar, what proportion can one use? In general, liquid sweeteners should be used in a 3/4s proportion to granulated sugar if substituting.

Does icing sugar need cornstarch? ›

To make powdered sugar at home, you'll need two ingredients: granulated sugar and cornstarch.

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 a healthy substitute for icing sugar? ›

If you're looking for a healthier option, coconut sugar is a bit less sweet and has a lower glycemic index than traditional white sugars, and can serve as the primary swap ingredient. Just blend the coconut sugar until it becomes a fine powder.

Can I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar for frosting? ›

"This means, cup for cup, there would be more sugar in a cup of powdered sugar than in a cup of regular sugar." In addition to inconsistent measurements, regular sugar won't dissolve and mix as well into recipes like frosting and icing. You'll end up with a grainy, unappealing texture.

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.

How to make gold icing for sugar cookies? ›

A careful combination of yellow, red and green food coloring can make a shade close to the color of gold, but doesn't give icing the glimmer of gold. Gold luster dust makes gold icing decorations as realistic as possible. The shimmering dust must be applied in a layer on top of icing.

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 is the easiest way to decorate sugar cookies? ›

My favorite way to decorate sugar cookies—especially for holidays and special occasions—is by using royal icing. The secret to getting precise lines, dots, and other details with royal icing is using a squeeze bottle.

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.

What can I use instead of glucose syrup for icing? ›

Liquid glucose is mostly sugar, with almost no wetness to it. Substituting something very wet will not work. Things which will work instead of glucose syrup are agave syrup, treacles, corn syrup, mollasses, golden syrup and honey.

How do you thicken icing without cornstarch or sugar? ›

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.

Can you make corn syrup out of cornstarch? ›

To make a small amount of corn syrup from cornstarch, you can follow these steps:
  1. In a small saucepan, mix together 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk the mixture constantly until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.
Mar 19, 2017

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