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Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe

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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/sugar-cookie-frosting-recipe/