Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe

Introduction

These easy sugar cookies are perfect for any occasion, offering a soft, buttery base with a tender crumb. Paired with a simple, sweet frosting, they’re fun to decorate and even better to share.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon table salt
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 3-4 tablespoons milk (any kind, whole milk recommended)
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (optional)
• Additional candies and sprinkles for decorating (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy and well combined.
2. Step 2: Add the egg and 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, beating until fully incorporated.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
5. Step 5: Divide the dough in half, placing each half on a large piece of plastic wrap. Shape into flat disks, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or up to 5 days.
6. Step 6: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or leave it ungreased.
7. Step 7: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out one dough disk to your preferred thickness—1/8 inch for crisp cookies, or 1/4 inch for softer ones. Use extra flour as needed to prevent sticking. If the dough cracks while rolling, let it warm at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
8. Step 8: Cut the dough with cookie cutters and transfer the shapes to the baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Optionally, sprinkle with sanding sugar before baking.
9. Step 9: Bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on cookie size, until the edges begin to lightly brown.
10. Step 10: Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before decorating.
11. Step 11: For the frosting, mix powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, corn syrup, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding more milk (a teaspoon at a time) or powdered sugar as needed.
12. Step 12: If using, divide the frosting into bowls and add gel food coloring.
13. Step 13: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag or a Ziploc bag with a small cut corner.
14. Step 14: Pipe the frosting onto cooled cookies and decorate with candies or sprinkles if desired.
15. Step 15: Let the frosting harden for several hours before stacking, storing, or enjoying.

Tips & Variations

• For softer cookies, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness; for crisper cookies, roll thinner at 1/8 inch.
• If the dough cracks while rolling, allow it to rest at room temperature to soften.
• Use gel food coloring to achieve vibrant frosting colors without thinning the icing.
• Decorate with sanding sugar before baking for a sparkling finish without frosting.

Storage

Store cooled and decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep frosting intact, layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but omit or reduce any additional salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.

How can I make the frosting set faster?

Place the frosted cookies in a cool, dry area or refrigerate them for 15-20 minutes. Keep in mind refrigeration may affect softness slightly.

Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 131 reviews

• Author: Isabella
• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (including chilling time)
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies (3-inch size) 1x

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Description

This recipe features easy sugar cookies paired with a smooth, sweet sugar cookie frosting. The cookies are soft yet sturdy, perfect for cutting into shapes and decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles. The frosting is simple to make, with options to add food coloring and decorate creatively. These sugar cookies are ideal for holidays, parties, or any occasion that calls for a classic, sweet treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Sugar Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon table salt

For the Sugar Cookie Frosting

• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 3–4 Tablespoons milk (whole milk recommended)
• 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (optional)
• Additional candies and sprinkles for decorating (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Cookie Dough: In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy and well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract; continue beating until fully incorporated.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until the dough is smooth and fully combined.
4. Chill Dough: Divide dough in half and place each half on a piece of plastic wrap. Mold into flat disks, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or up to 5 days.
5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Once chilled, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use an ungreased baking sheet.
6. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll one disk of dough to 1/8″ thickness for crispier cookies or 1/4″ for softer ones. Use additional flour to prevent sticking. If dough cracks, let it sit at room temperature briefly before retrying.
7. Cut and Place Cookies: Use cookie cutters to cut shapes. Transfer shapes using a spatula to the baking sheet, spacing cookies at least 1 inch apart. Optionally decorate with sanding sugar before baking.
8. Bake Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350°F (175°C) for 3-inch cookies, adjusting time for different sizes. Cookies are done when edges begin to turn lightly golden.
9. Cool Completely: Allow cookies to cool fully on the baking sheet before decorating.
10. Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. Add more milk teaspoon by teaspoon if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin to get a pipeable consistency.
11. Color Frosting: Divide frosting into bowls and add gel food coloring if desired.
12. Prepare for Decorating: Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip or use a Ziploc bag with a snipped corner.
13. Decorate Cookies: Pipe frosting onto cooled cookies and add candies or sprinkles as desired.
14. Set Frosting: Let frosting harden for several hours before stacking or storing to prevent smudging.

Notes

• Use unsalted butter to better control the salt level in the cookies.
• Vanilla extract enhances the flavor; pure extract is preferred for best taste.
• Chill dough thoroughly to make rolling and cutting easier and to improve cookie texture.
• Adjust milk in frosting slowly to avoid making it too runny.
• Cookies can be baked on parchment paper or directly on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Storing dough up to 5 days in the refrigerator allows for convenience and develops flavor.
• If dough is too sticky or cracks, letting it rest at room temperature will help with rolling.
• Allow frosting to fully harden before stacking to avoid damage.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: sugar cookies, sugar cookie frosting, cut-out cookies, holiday cookies, cookie decorating, easy sugar cookies