I outline all my sugar cookies in buttercream frosting. Not only does it taste amazing (duh, it’s buttercream), but it holds shape well and gives me texture I can’t get with my normal runny frosting.
A while back (when I made these) I made vegan buttercream using vegan butter. I made it a little bit different this time, but honestly it’s super adaptable so you can go many ways.
Vegan Buttercream
Ingredients:
1 stick vegan butter (I used the Earth Balance baking sticks)
1 lb powdered sugar
3 tbsp almond milk (you can also use soymilk, coconut water, nondairy creamer, etc.)
2 tsp vanilla
Directions:
1. Dump powdered sugar in the mixing bowl, and top with the vegan butter, cut into small chunks.
2. Add the almond milk and vanilla and beat until smooth.
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The next part was more challenging. I normally use an icing made of just powdered sugar and milk, and it dries into a nice hard icing. THANK GOODNESS I tested the icing with almond milk the night before I needed it. It never set up! (Even 3 days later!) Once I realized this, I jumped into plan B. Pam at Cookie Crazie to the rescue! Pam is a minority in the cookie decorating world because she uses Glaze instead of Royal Icing. Royal Icing is made with either egg whites or meringue powder (which is made of egg whites). Glaze is made with corn syrup and water! Perrrrfect for vegan cookies. As I had never made actual Glaze before, I started with Pam’s recipe and tweaked it just slightly.
(Vegan) Glaze Icing
Ingredients:
1 lb powdered sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/2 tsp clear vanilla extract
scant 1/2 tsp almond extract
approx 1/4 cup water
few drops of white food coloring
Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients together, adding white food coloring last.
2. Add more water to thin if necessary. (I did add a bit more water to mine.)
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This icing is so lovely. It flows only slightly thicker than my icing, but works pretty much the same way. And it dries so much nicer than mine.
I was bummed that I didn’t have any extra cookies for the shower so that I could taste one with the icing. The next cookies I make I’m going to use Glaze again so I can taste test. 🙂 It might just be my new icing of choice!
Cookie Carrie 