Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe

Introduction

This classic sugar cookie frosting is creamy, smooth, and perfectly sweet. It’s easy to spread or pipe on your favorite sugar cookies, and you can customize it with food coloring or sprinkles for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to cool room temperature, still cool to the touch)
• 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy)
• 1 tablespoon half and half or milk (plus more as needed)
• 1 ¾ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with half of the powdered sugar on low speed, gradually increasing to medium-high, until well combined.
2. Step 2: Slowly add the remaining powdered sugar while continuing to beat. Then mix in vanilla extract, almond extract, a pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon of milk.
3. Step 3: Continue beating on medium-high until the frosting is creamy and spreadable. Add more milk a little at a time if needed for a thinner consistency, or more powdered sugar to thicken.
4. Step 4: Use a piping bag, small knife, or spreader to frost cooled sugar cookies. Decorate immediately with sprinkles if desired.
5. Step 5 (Optional for melted dippable frosting): Add extra powdered sugar and milk to the frosting for a thicker consistency. Divide the frosting in half.
6. Step 6: Place half the frosting in a wide shallow bowl and microwave for 15–20 seconds. Stir well; the frosting should become melty and thin. Microwave a few more seconds if needed, adding a splash of milk to reach desired thickness.
7. Step 7: Quickly dip each cookie face down into the melted frosting, gently move it around, then flip and jiggle to spread evenly. Add sprinkles immediately, then set aside to let frosting set.
8. Step 8: Repeat the microwaving and dipping process with the remaining frosting, reheating as needed since it firms as it cools.

Tips & Variations

• For a smooth, lump-free frosting, always sift powdered sugar before adding it to the butter.
• Add a few drops of your favorite food coloring to match any theme or holiday.
• Use almond extract sparingly—too much can overpower the vanilla flavor.
• If your frosting is too thick, thin it with a little more milk or half and half, one teaspoon at a time.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use almond or oat milk instead of dairy milk.

Storage

Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Before using, bring it to room temperature and re-whip briefly to restore its creamy texture. For melted dippable frosting, microwave gently to reheat and thin as needed before use.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but omit the pinch of salt in the recipe or reduce it slightly to avoid a salty taste.

How do I fix frosting that’s too runny?

Add more powdered sugar gradually to thicken it until you reach the desired consistency.

Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 59 reviews

This sugar cookie frosting recipe creates a creamy, sweet, and spreadable frosting perfect for topping baked sugar cookies. Made with softened unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and almond extracts, and a touch of milk or half and half, this frosting can be piped or spread on cookies. Additionally, the frosting can be melted into a thin, dippable glaze for an alternative decorating style. The recipe provides tips for adjusting thickness and adding food coloring or sprinkles for a festive finish.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: Frosting for approximately 24 standard sugar cookies
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Frosting Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to cool room temperature (still cool to the touch)
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
• 1 tablespoon half and half or milk, plus more as needed
• 1 ¾ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and half of the powdered sugar together starting on low speed and increasing to medium-high until well combined.
2. Add remaining ingredients: Slowly add the remaining powdered sugar while mixing, then add the vanilla extract, almond extract, a pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Continue mixing until well incorporated.
3. Adjust consistency: Beat the mixture on medium-high speed until creamy and spreadable. Add more milk a little at a time if frosting is too thick, or add more powdered sugar if it needs to be thicker.
4. Frost cookies: Use a piping bag, small knife, or spreader to spread or pipe the frosting onto baked and completely cooled sugar cookies. Immediately add sprinkles if desired.
5. Prepare melted dippable frosting (optional): To make a thin, dippable glaze, prepare the frosting above but adjust by adding extra powdered sugar and milk as needed.
6. Microwave frosting: Working with half the frosting at a time, place it in a wide, shallow bowl and microwave for 15-20 seconds. Stir thoroughly. If needed, microwave a few more seconds and add a splash of milk to thin it out to the desired consistency.
7. Dip cookies: Quickly dip each sugar cookie face down into the melted frosting. Move the cookie around slightly, then flip and shake gently to even out the frosting layer. Add sprinkles immediately if desired and set aside to let frosting set.
8. Repeat for remaining frosting: Since the frosting firms as it cools, reheat the remaining frosting in the microwave as needed before dipping remaining cookies.

Notes

• If frosting is too thick, add milk or half and half a little at a time to thin it out.
• To thicken frosting, gradually add more powdered sugar.
• Food coloring can be added after the frosting has reached spreadable consistency for colorful decoration.
• For dippable frosting, prepare extra powdered sugar and milk to reach a thin glaze consistency.
• The melted frosting firms quickly as it cools, so reheat in short bursts when needed during dipping.
• This frosting is best used on fully cooled sugar cookies to prevent melting or sliding.

Keywords: sugar cookie frosting, easy cookie frosting recipe, buttercream frosting, vanilla almond frosting, cookie decorating, melted frosting glaze