This easy Chocolate Cookie Icing That Hardens has deep, rich chocolate flavor and dries to a glossy, firm finish that’s stackable yet soft to bite. Spread or pipe chocolate icing onto cut-out chocolate sugar cookies and decorate with festive sprinkles for beautiful Easter, Valentine's Day, or Christmas cookies.
For more stackable cookie frosting recipe ideas, try Buttercream Frosting for Cookies That Hardens and Cookie Icing That Hardens.
This decadent chocolate cookie icing recipe is the perfect way to create professional-looking decorated sugar cookies for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, or any special occasion. The frosting stirs together in minutes with simple ingredients, and whether you spread it on or pipe it on, you'll get a smooth layer of icing that dries to a glossy, stackable finish.
I use this creamy chocolate frosting and chocolate cut-out cookie recipe to make cute Easter Bunny Cookies, Christmas cookies, and Valentine's Day cookies.
Or try it with plain No-Spread Cut-Out Cookies, Red Velvet Cut-Out Cookies, or Brown Sugar Cut-Out Cookies. No wrong answers.
❤️You're Going to Love This
- Stackable. Sets with a firm, glossy finish that stacks without smudging.
- Soft to eat. Deliciously soft and tender to the bite.
- Fast and easy. Just stir together a few simple ingredients.
- Super chocolatey. Decadent chocolate glaze with deep, rich flavor.
- Perfect for your holiday cookie tray. Beautiful chocolate cookies for any special occasion.
🍫Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Powdered sugar. If your powdered sugar is especially lumpy, sift it, but otherwise vigorous stirring breaks up any clumps.
- Cocoa powder. The flavor of unsweetened chocolate brings the perfect balance to the sweet frosting. I used dutch process cocoa powder for deep, dark color and rich chocolate flavor. Natural cocoa powder may also be used. Sift the cocoa powder if it is clumpy.
- Light corn syrup. Light corn syrup (not the same as high fructose corn syrup) gives this chocolate icing a glossy sheen.
- Milk. Use any kind of dairy or non-dairy milk. Add it last and a little at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
- Salt. A little salt amplifies the flavors and helps to balance the sweetness.
☕Substitutions or Variations
- Flavor extracts. Instead of vanilla extract, try a different flavor like peppermint, almond, coconut, or orange. Start small, about ⅛ teaspoon -- especially with mint and almond, as they can easily overpower the chocolate flavor.
- Espresso powder. A little instant espresso powder amplifies the chocolate flavor. Start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust to taste.
🥣How to Make Chocolate Cookie Icing That Hardens
Step 1: Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, corn syrup, and vanilla. Sift cocoa powder if clumpy.
Step 2: Add milk. Stir in 4 tablespoons of milk. Add more, one tablespoon at a time, until it forms thick ribbons that dissolve back in.
Step 3: Spread or pipe: Spread onto cooled cookies with a knife or offset spatula. Or pipe with a squeeze bottle, piping bag, or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Outline first, then fill the center, and use a toothpick to smooth.
Step 4: Decorate and let set. Decorate with sprinkles, candies, white chocolate chips, or a contrasting drizzle of white icing while the cookie glaze is still wet. Place iced cookies on a wire rack to dry uncovered for several hours or overnight until firm.
🍬EASY Chocolate Sugar Cookie Decorating Ideas
Easiest. Spread or pipe icing on top of your cookies and decorate with sprinkles or candies.
Color block. Spread or pipe cookies with sections of chocolate icing and white or tinted cookie icing that hardens.
Swirl. Frost the cookie with chocolate icing. Pipe white cookie icing that hardens on top and use a toothpick to create swirled designs.
👉For easy clean-up, set a cooling rack on a rimmed cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
❓FAQs
Yes. As the icing sets, it forms a hard shell firm enough for stacking, making it perfect for decorated cookies.
No. Even though the icing dries to a firm, stackable finish, it is still soft enough to easily bite into.
It can take several hours, up to overnight, to fully harden.
No. This chocolate cookie icing will not hold a shape when piped. For a pipable cookie frosting that hardens, try this easy buttercream frosting recipe for cookies or chocolate buttercream frosting.
🎆More Easy Cookie Frosting Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Chocolate Cookie Icing That Hardens
Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder, sifted if clumpy dutch-process cocoa powder or natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4-6 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. If the cocoa powder is clumpy, sift it in for a smoother icing.Stir in 4 tablespoons of milk. Gradually add more, one tablespoon at a time, until the icing forms thick ribbons that briefly hold their shape before blending back in.
- Spread onto cooled cookies with a knife or offset spatula. For piping, use a squeeze bottle, piping bag, or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Outline first, then fill the center, and use a toothpick to smooth it out.
- Decorate with sprinkles or candies while the icing is wet. Allow to set uncovered for several hours or overnight until firm.
Notes
- For smooth icing, sift the cocoa powder if it is clumpy.
- The frosting is ready when it spreads easily over a cookie, holding its texture briefly before settling into a smooth finish.
- Adjust consistency as needed by adding more milk for a thinner icing or more powdered sugar for a thicker texture.
- Store frosted cookies covered in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days or refrigerated for 10 days.
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