Basic Cookie Glaze

Yields about 1/2 cup

by Abigail Johnson Dodge
from Fine Cooking
Issue 120
Last Edit Date: 10/26/2012 4:55:03 PM

This creamy glaze won’t set up as firmly as royal icing, so you can't use it to make elaborate designs, but it has a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth texture and your cookies will still be packable. it's great on Vanilla Cutout Cookies, Slice-and-Bakes, or Drop Cookies.

more about:

1 cup (4 oz.) confectioners’ sugar, sifted if lumpy
1/4 cup heavy cream; more as needed
Pinch table salt
Gel food coloring, optional
Optional flavorings: 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract or paste, 2 tsp. finely grated and minced orange zest, or 1 tsp. finely grated and minced lemon zest

In a small bowl, mix the confectioners’ sugar, cream, and salt with a spoon or rubber spatula until well blended and smooth. Add food coloring or flavorings, if using, and stir until well blended. The glaze should be thicker than heavy cream but still thin enough to spread and drizzle without clumping. If necessary, add more cream a drop at a time to adjust the consistency.

To drizzle with glaze: Arrange the cooled cookies on a rack. Use a fork to drizzle the glaze over the cookies.

To dip in glaze: Dip the side of each cookie to cover half or more of the cookie. Let excess glaze drip off and then transfer to a rack. For drop cookies, you can also dip just the tops in the glaze.

If you're adorning your cookies with additional decorative toppings, such as dragées or sanding sugar, add the toppings while the glaze is still wet. Let sit for about 10 minutes, then invert the cookie to remove any excess topping.

Let the cookies sit on the rack until the glaze is fully set, about 3 hours.

To pack glazed cookies: Arrange the cookies in snug single layers between parchment or waxed paper in a cookie tin or box.

Make Ahead Tips

The glaze can be refrigerated with plastic wrap pressed directly onto its surface for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before using.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size : per 1 tsp.; Calories (kcal): 30; Fat (g): 1; Fat Calories (kcal): 10; Saturated Fat (g): 0.5; Protein (g): 0; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 0; Carbohydrates (g): 5; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 0; Sodium (mg): 5; Cholesterol (mg): 5; Fiber (g): 0;