Grandma Lenon's Icing Recipe
This homemade vanilla icing is smooth, sweet, and easy to make with just a handful of pantry staples. Its pourable consistency makes it perfect for sheet cakes, snack cakes, cookies, bars, and other baked treats, creating a simple, glossy finish with just the right touch of sweetness.
Prep
5 min
Cook
0 min
Temp
No cook
Yield
24 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds powdered sugar, measured then sifted
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons margarine, softened
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 3 drops food coloring of your choice (optional)
Instructions
1Combine the ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened margarine, vanilla extract, and about half of the sifted powdered sugar. Using a hand mixer or sturdy whisk, mix until combined.
2Mix the icing – Add the milk and gradually mix in the remaining powdered sugar until the icing is smooth and well combined.
3Adjust the consistency – Stir in 3 drops of your favorite food coloring, if desired. If the icing is too thin, mix in additional powdered sugar a little at a time. If it's too thick, add milk a few drops at a time until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
4Ice the dessert – Pour or spread the icing over a completely cooled cake, cookies, bars, or other baked treats. Allow the icing to set before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Flavor Variations – Replace the vanilla extract with almond, lemon, peppermint, maple, or butter extract for a different flavor.
- Best Uses – This icing is perfect for sheet cakes, snack cakes, brownies, bars, donuts, cinnamon rolls, and sugar cookies.
- Add Sprinkles Quickly – If decorating with sprinkles, add them immediately after icing the dessert before the icing begins to set.
- Small Batch Colors – Divide the icing into separate bowls before adding food coloring to easily create multiple colors for decorating.
- Storage – Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before using.