Brown Sugar Cookie Icing

Aug 29, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Frostings fillings toppings Origin: Madagascar Vanilla: Extract Easy

Sugar cookies decorated with brown sugar cookie icing

A glossy brown sugar cookie icing that sets firm for decorating cookies. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes about 1 cup; decorates about 24 cookies.

Prep 10 min

Cook —

Dry 8 hr

Total 8 hr 10 min

Yield 24 cookies

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

2.0 cups (240.0 g)confectioners' sugar, sifted
2.0 tbsp (41.0 g)light corn syrup
2.0 tbsp (27.0 g)light brown sugar, packed
2.0 tbsp (30.0 ml)water, plus more as needed
⅛ tspfine sea salt
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)VanillaGoods pure vanilla extract

Make it at home

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Instructions

Stir the brown sugar into the water in a small bowl and microwave for 15 seconds, then stir until dissolved; cool.
Whisk the confectioners' sugar and salt in a bowl.
Add the corn syrup, brown sugar syrup, and vanilla and stir until smooth and glossy.
Adjust with water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time: thick enough to hold a line for outlining, or thinned until a drizzled ribbon disappears in about 10 seconds for flooding.
Decorate completely cooled cookies and let dry until firm, 6 to 8 hours or overnight, before stacking.

Tips

Corn syrup gives this icing a soft bite and a glossy finish; it dries firm but not rock hard.
Vanilla swap: use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.
Best vanilla for this: Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic), or Mexican (spiced, warm, woodsy). Any pure vanilla works.
Storage: Store leftover icing airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days; stir before using.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make brown sugar cookie icing?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep, plus 8 hours to dry. It makes about 1 cup; decorates about 24 cookies.

How should I store brown sugar cookie icing?

Store leftover icing airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days; stir before using.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.

A glossy brown sugar cookie icing that sets firm for decorating cookies. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes about 1 cup; decorates about 24 cookies.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 24 servings this recipe makes.

49 Calories / serving

0.0g Fat

12.5g Carbs

0.0g Protein

11.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (24 servings): ~1176 cal · 0g fat · 300g carbs · 0g protein · 274g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 49 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 9 min·0.5 mi·~1050 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 7 min·0.4 mi·~700 steps
Moderate cycling 5 min·1.0 mi
Swimming laps 7 min
Jogging 5 min·0.4 mi·~800 steps
Stair climbing 5 min·~450 steps
Dancing 8 min
Bodyweight circuit training 5 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 11 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.