The Simplest 2 Ingredient Hard-Setting Icing for Decorating Cookies!
Hi! If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
Some recipes are complicated on purpose. Baking blogs, YouTube tutorials, long ingredient lists, twenty different techniques, and suddenly what should be fun feels like homework.
I cannot tell you how many icing recipes I found online that made me feel like I needed a culinary degree just to decorate a few cookies for Christmas!
So this recipe is the complete opposite. Simple. Foolproof. Two ingredients. No fuss. No special tools. No drama.
I learned this from my mum back home in the UK. Whenever there were biscuits to decorate for school fairs, birthday parties, or Christmas, she reached for this same two ingredient icing.
No piping bags. No meringue powder. No fuss.
Just powdered sugar and a splash of milk or water in a bowl. A quick stir, a simple spread over cooled biscuits, and once it dried hard they were ready to stack, pack, or hang.
It sets firm, holds its shape, and makes even the plainest cookie look neat and festive.
If you are decorating my British-Style Edible Spiced Christmas Ornaments or any simple cut out cookie, this icing is all you need. White icing looks classic, crisp, and clean.
If you want colour, use gel colour because it does not water down the mixture. And if you are running low on milk, swap it for water. It still dries beautifully.
There really is no need for complicated royal icing, piping bags, meringue powder, or expensive ingredients.
We are all about simplicity and budget friendly choices here, especially while we are on baby step 2 of our debt free journey. This icing fits that perfectly!
And just a reminder that if you’re struggling and you need help with managing your budget or starting your own debt free journey then here’s some FREE resources below you may find helpful!
living frugally and fully
free tips and resources to make the most of what you have
As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
So gather your bowl, your sugar, and your milk or water. Let’s make my mum’s simple hard icing for cookies. It sets firm, looks beautiful, and makes homemade cookies feel that little bit extra special!
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon, spatula or butter knife for stirring
- Small bowls if you want multiple colours
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Ingredients
Makes icing for 30 to 40 cookies depending on size
- 1 cup powdered sugar (icing sugar if you are in the UK)
- 2 tbsp milk or water
- Optional: gel food colouring of your choice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Add all ingredients to a bowl
Place the powdered sugar and the milk or water into a mixing bowl. Add a small drop of gel colouring now if you are using it.
Step 2. Stir until smooth
Mix with a spoon or butter knife until a loose paste forms. Keep stirring until every bit of powdered sugar is fully incorporated.
Step 3. Adjust as needed
If it feels too thick, add a tiny splash of milk or water. If it feels too thin, add an extra teaspoon of powdered sugar.
Step 4. Decorate your cookies
Spread or drizzle the icing onto completely cooled cookies. While the icing is still soft you can add edible glitter, sprinkles, silver balls, coloured sugar, or anything else you fancy.
Step 5. Let the icing harden
Allow the cookies to sit untouched for at least 6 hours or preferably overnight. The icing will harden fully and become dry to the touch.
Notes
- You can swap the milk for water. Both harden beautifully.
- A little gel colouring goes a long way. Liquid food colour can thin the icing too much.
- Add flavourings if you want. Almond and orange are lovely festive choices for Christmas cookies.
- For a thicker icing that holds its shape more, add a touch more powdered sugar.
Troubleshooting
Icing too runny?
Add powdered sugar one teaspoon at a time until it thickens.
Icing too thick?
Add a tiny splash of milk or water. Go slow, it loosens fast.
Icing won’t harden?
Your mixture likely has too much liquid. Add more powdered sugar and whisk again. Then allow extra drying time.
Colour looks uneven?
Stir longer or add a tiny drop of gel colouring and continue mixing.
Storage
- Store leftover icing in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
- Stir well before using.
- If it thickens in the fridge, add a tiny splash of water or milk and stir again.
Serving Ideas
- Christmas cookies
- Edible ornaments
- Gingerbread men
- Spiced biscuits
- Sugar cookies
- Cinnamon shapes
- Kid friendly decorating trays
- Festive cookie boxes
- Simple white snowflake cookies
Why You Will Love This Recipe?!
- Two ingredients
- Budget friendly
- Hardens beautifully
- No special tools needed
- Perfect for decorating with kids
- Ideal for edible ornaments
- Quick to mix
- Easy to colour and flavour
- Reliable every single time
FAQ
Can I double this recipe?
Yes. Just keep the same ratios.
Can I make this without milk?
Yes. Water works wonderfully.
Does this icing stay white or dry translucent?
It dries white and firm.
How long does it take to harden fully?
At least 6 hours, but overnight gives the best result.
Can I pipe it?
Yes. Add an extra tablespoon of powdered sugar for a slightly thicker texture.
Make This Recipe With Me!
Sometimes it’s just easier to watch a video than read a recipe card isn’t it?! So here’s a quick tutorial on how to make this simple and delicious recipe at home and on a budget – thank you for joining me in the kitchen today!
Catch a glimpse of how I made this icing and iced my cookies in our Christmas tiktok here:
The Easiest Hard Icing for Cookies!
November 26, 2025Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the powdered sugar and the milk or water into a mixing bowl. Add a small drop of gel colouring now if you are using it.
- Mix with a spoon or butter knife until a loose paste forms. Keep stirring until every bit of powdered sugar is fully incorporated.
- If it feels too thick, add a tiny splash of milk or water. If it feels too thin, add an extra teaspoon of powdered sugar.
- Spread or drizzle the icing onto completely cooled cookies. While the icing is still soft you can add edible glitter, sprinkles, silver balls, coloured sugar, or anything else you fancy.
- Allow the cookies to sit untouched for at least 6 hours or preferably overnight. The icing will harden fully and become dry to the touch.
Video
Notes
- You can swap the milk for water. Both harden beautifully.A little gel colouring goes a long way. Liquid food colour can thin the icing too much.Add flavourings if you want. Almond and orange are lovely festive choices for Christmas cookies.For a thicker icing that holds its shape more, add a touch more powdered sugar.
Storage
- Store leftover icing in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
- Stir well before using.
- If it thickens in the fridge, add a tiny splash of water or milk and stir again.
Related Recipes:
How to Make British-style Edible Spiced Christmas Ornaments for a Christmas Tree!Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Takeaway
This simple hard icing recipe is everything holiday baking should be.
Easy. Affordable. Foolproof. Just two ingredients and you can decorate a whole batch of Christmas cookies without stress. It dries firm, tastes lovely, and works perfectly for edible ornaments.
Keep this one in your back pocket and you will never need another basic icing recipe again!
What to Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If this icing becomes your go to for decorating cookies, tap the stars on the recipe card and leave a quick comment. Share it with a friend who loves simple Christmas baking ideas.
Last update on 2026-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
