Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe

If you’re looking for a classic treat that everyone can enjoy and decorate, you’re going to love this Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out—soft but sturdy enough to hold all the fun frosting and sprinkles you want to pile on. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a birthday, or just because, this recipe is straightforward enough that you’ll feel confident from start to finish.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to create a cookie dough that’s tender but not overly delicate, plus a frosting that sets just right to showcase your decorating skills. Using unsalted butter and fresh vanilla makes all the difference in flavor.

• Unsalted butter: Softened, so it blends smoothly without melting—room temp is perfect.
• Granulated sugar: Gives just the right sweetness and slight crispness after baking.
• Vanilla extract: I like pure vanilla to enhance the cookie’s flavor, but feel free to try almond or lemon for a fun twist.
• Egg: Binds the dough and adds moisture.
• All-purpose flour: The basis for soft, classic sugar cookies—measure carefully for best results.
• Baking powder: Adds a gentle lift so cookies aren’t too dense.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and boosts flavor.
• Powdered sugar: The foundation of the frosting—make sure to sift for smooth icing.
• Milk: I usually use whole milk for richness, but any kind works.
• Light corn syrup: Gives frosting a glossy finish and helps it harden beautifully—highly recommend not skipping this.
• Gel food coloring (optional): For colorful, festive cookies that look as good as they taste.
• Decorative candies and sprinkles (optional): For personalizing your creations and adding crunch or sparkle.

Variations

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe is how adaptable it is. You can tweak flavors or decorations easily to suit any occasion or dietary need. Make it yours!

• Flavor Boost: I sometimes swap half the vanilla with almond or lemon extract for a subtle but delightful zing.
• Gluten-Free: Try using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend—just watch the dough texture and add a little extra flour if it feels too sticky.
• Vegan Version: Substituting dairy butter with vegan margarine and using a flax egg works—expect a slightly different texture but still delicious.
• Frosting Fun: Play with different textures by piping thick borders and flooding the center with thinner glaze for a modern decorated look.

How to Make Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Light and Fluffy

Start by beating the softened butter and granulated sugar together. I prefer using a stand mixer for this because it’s hands-off and creates a smooth, creamy base. You’ll notice the mixture losing graininess and becoming pale and fluffy—that’s when you know it’s ready!

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to your butter-sugar mixture. Beat again until everything is fully combined and smooth. If you want to experiment with other extracts like almond or lemon, add them now by reducing vanilla slightly.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. This keeps your leavening and salt evenly distributed so your cookies bake uniformly without any salty or bitter spots.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients Gently

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until the dough comes together. It’ll be sticky—that’s normal! Resist the urge to add too much extra flour here because it will make the cookies tough. Instead, you’ll rely on chilling to firm up the dough for rolling.

Step 5: Chill the Dough for 2-3 Hours

Here’s a trick I discovered: chilling the dough not only firms it up for easier rolling but also helps deepen the flavor. I divide the dough in half, shape into disks, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. You can go up to 5 days if prepping ahead!

Step 6: Roll Out and Cut Your Cookies

Generously flour your clean workspace and roll out one disk of dough at a time. I usually go for about 1/8″ thick for crispier cookies, but 1/4″ is great if you prefer soft, cakey ones. Let the dough warm at room temp for 10-15 minutes if it cracks when rolling—that saved me many times!

Use your favorite cookie cutters, then transfer shapes carefully onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Keep cookies at least 1 inch apart so they bake evenly.

Step 7: Bake Until Slightly Golden

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes depending on size. Watch the edges: a hint of golden brown means perfection. Overbaking dries them out, so pull them out just as they start to color. Let the cookies cool completely before frosting.

Step 8: Make the Frosting

Mix the powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Your frosting should be thick enough to pipe but soft enough to spread. Add milk a teaspoon at a time if too stiff, or more sugar if too runny. For that glossy, professional finish, don’t skip the corn syrup—it’s my secret weapon!

Step 9: Decorate and Let Set

Divide the frosting into little bowls and color as you like with gel food coloring. I find gel colors give the most vibrant hues without watering down the consistency. Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped for frosting. Once decorated, let your cookies sit at room temperature for several hours until the icing hardens. Patience here really pays off!

How to Serve Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these easy sugar cookies with a sprinkle of colorful sanding sugar or tiny nonpareils while the frosting is still wet—it adds sparkle and texture. Sometimes I use miniature candy pearls to make festive patterns or seasonal sprinkles for holidays.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk (classic, right?), a cup of hot cocoa, or even some fresh berries for a light balance. They’re also great at parties alongside other simple seasonal fruits or a cheese platter for an unexpected sweet contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve had success creating themed cookie trays for birthdays, holidays, and baby showers using matching frosting colors and shapes. You can stack cookies in clear jars as gifts or lay them out on festive plates with edible glitter dusted on top for extra wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and they usually stay fresh for up to 10 days. Make sure the frosting is completely dry before stacking them to avoid messes. Placing parchment paper between layers helps a lot, too.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, I recommend wrapping the unbaked dough disks well in plastic wrap and then foil, freezing for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling. You can also freeze baked cookies without frosting; just let them cool completely and store airtight in the freezer.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat frosted cookies to keep the icing intact. For plain cookies, a few seconds in the microwave (about 10-15 seconds) warms them gently and makes them taste fresh. Just be careful not to overheat, or they get hard.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe has become a go-to for me when I want a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing dessert that doubles as a creative canvas. The process is fun (especially the decorating), and the results never disappoint. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these as much as my family and I do—they’re truly a sweet little slice of joy you can customize for any celebration!

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