Name: Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 59 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter softened; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup powdered sugar; 1 egg room temperature; 1 Tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ¼ tsp almond extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 Tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; ½ cup unsalted butter softened; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 Tbsp milk; ½ tsp salt; Pink or red food coloring optional; 3 cups powdered sugar; Sprinkles optional

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 53 reviews

There’s something truly magical about biting into soft, delicious sugar cookies with just the right amount of frosting. If you’ve been hunting for the perfect Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe, you’re in the right spot. This recipe gives you beautifully soft cookies that are so simple to make but taste like you spent hours baking. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be reaching for the cookie jar more often than you’d admit!

🧡

Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Soft Texture: The combination of cornstarch and baking powder keeps these cookies tender and fluffy, not tough.
Rich and Creamy Frosting: The frosting uses butter and powdered sugar whipped to a light, airy consistency that spreads beautifully without being too sweet.
Balanced Flavor: A touch of almond extract alongside vanilla adds subtle depth that makes these cookies extra special.
Simple Ingredients, Big Results: You probably have everything you need in your pantry, making this recipe easy to whip up anytime a cookie craving hits.

Frosted Sugar Cookies, soft sugar cookies with frosting, easy sugar cookie recipe, homemade frosted sugar cookies, classic cookie recipes - The image shows a white plate holding nine round cookies, each topped with a thick layer of bright pink frosting. The cookies have a light golden-brown color and slightly rough texture. The frosting is creamy with a smooth, slightly uneven spread on each cookie, sprinkled with colorful rainbow sprinkles in reds, whites, blues, yellows, and greens. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with some sprinkles scattered around the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Understanding why each ingredient plays a role makes baking these frosted sugar cookies even more fun—and ensures you get the results you want every time. Here’s what you’ll need and why I love using each:

Frosted Sugar Cookies, soft sugar cookies with frosting, easy sugar cookie recipe, homemade frosted sugar cookies, classic cookie recipes - Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of softened unsalted butter, a small bowl of granulated sugar, a small bowl of powdered sugar, one whole clean brown egg, a small bowl of vegetable oil, a small bowl of vanilla extract, a small bowl of almond extract, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, a small mound of cornstarch, a small pile of baking powder, a small heap of salt, a small white bowl of milk, and a neat pile of colorful sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter creates a tender cookie base and rich frosting—unsalted lets you control the salt perfectly.
Granulated and Powdered Sugar: A combo for both structure and smooth, creamy frosting texture.
Egg: Adds moisture and binds everything together.
Vegetable Oil: Keeps cookies soft and helps with that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Vanilla and Almond Extracts: Vanilla delivers that classic sweet warmth, almond brings a subtle nutty twist that sets these cookies apart.
All-Purpose Flour & Cornstarch: The flour builds structure, but cornstarch softens the texture making the cookie tender and light.
Baking Powder: Gives just enough lift so the cookies aren’t flat and dense.
Salt: Enhances all the sweetness and flavors—don’t skip!
Milk (for frosting): Helps create the perfect frosting consistency.
Food Coloring & Sprinkles (Optional): For some fun pops of color and festive flair.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love that this Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe is a fantastic canvas for your own creativity. You can stick with the classic vanilla-almond combo or mix it up with your favorite extracts or toppings. The key is to have fun and make it yours!

Variation: Sometimes I swap almond for lemon extract to brighten the flavor—super refreshing and equally delicious.
Dietary Change: For a dairy-free twist, replace butter with coconut oil and choose a plant-based milk in the frosting. It’s surprisingly good!
Seasonal Flare: Around holidays, I swap the sprinkles for crushed candy canes or edible glitter for extra sparkle.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by adding your softened butter along with granulated and powdered sugar to the mixer bowl. Beat on high speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture looks pale and creamy—this is key! The air you whip in here wonderfully lightens the cookies. Don’t rush this part; it really does make a difference.

Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg, vegetable oil, vanilla, and almond extracts. Go medium speed on this step to help everything combine smoothly without overworking the dough. Scrape down the sides as you go so no bits get left behind.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Now, sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this to your wet mix on low speed—just until everything comes together. Overmixing here can make the cookies tough, and that’s the one thing we don’t want!

Step 4: Shape and Bake the Cookies

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough—about 3 inches across and half an inch thick once flattened. I press them gently with the bottom of a glass; it’s an easy trick to get uniform cookies that bake evenly. Bake at 350°F for just 8-9 minutes. Keep your eye on them—they should barely start to color. Let them cool for about 5 minutes on the sheet before moving to a rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Whip Up That Dreamy Frosting

Beat the butter until pale and fluffy—using a whisk attachment here really helps. Add milk, vanilla, salt, and any food coloring, then whisk again until smooth. Introduce powdered sugar one cup at a time on low speed, pausing before adding more. Then crank it up and beat until thick and fluffy.

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

Spread the frosting generously with an offset spatula or butter knife—I prefer the spatula for smoother edges. Top with sprinkles if you want a little party on your plate. Let the frosting set a few minutes, then dive in…it’s totally worth it.

💡

Pro Tips for Making Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Soften Butter Naturally: Don’t microwave your butter; let it sit out for 30-60 minutes to soften. This avoids melting, which can mess with your cookie texture.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies might look underdone when you pull them out, but they’ll set as they cool—soft is the goal, not crispy.
Use an Offset Spatula: It makes frosting a breeze and results in a smoother finish that looks like you put in way more effort than you did.
Chill the Dough (Optional): If your kitchen is warm, pop the dough in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to make handling easier and prevent spreading.

How to Serve Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I often stick with classic rainbow sprinkles—they add that satisfying crunch and just the right pop of color without overpowering the flavor. Sometimes, I sprinkle on some edible glitter for a festive touch, especially around the holidays. Freshly grated lemon or orange zest sprinkled lightly over the frosting gives a lovely fresh twist, too.

Side Dishes

These frosted sugar cookies pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot tea for a cozy afternoon treat. Around the holidays, I like to serve them alongside spiced cider or hot cocoa loaded with marshmallows—it really elevates the experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange the cookies on a pretty platter, layering them with fresh berries and mint leaves for a burst of color and freshness. If you want to get whimsical, you can even shape the dough into hearts or stars before baking, then frost in coordinating colors for themed events.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover frosted sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temp, usually for up to 3 days. To keep frosting fresh and prevent it from getting sticky or melting, I sometimes store them in the fridge instead—just bring them to room temperature before serving so they’re soft and luscious again.

Freezing

If I have a big batch, I freeze the unfrosted cookies layered between parchment paper in an airtight container. They keep wonderfully for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw them at room temperature and frost fresh right before serving—this keeps your frosting looking and tasting amazing.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat frosted sugar cookies, but if you want that just-baked softness, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave does the trick. Just be careful not to heat too long or your frosting might melt.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter in this Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe?

Yes, you can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand, but I recommend reducing or skipping any added salt in the recipe to balance flavors. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the saltiness and tends to give the best texture.
How do I prevent my sugar cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your dough is well chilled if your kitchen is warm, avoid adding too much oil, and don’t over-flatten the dough balls before baking. Using parchment paper or a silicone mat also helps cookies hold their shape better.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely! The frosting can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Bring it back to room temperature and whip it again before spreading to get that perfect fluffy texture.
What’s the secret to soft sugar cookies?

Including cornstarch in the dough is a little trick that helps keep these cookies super soft and tender. Also, baking just until the edges start to color keeps them from drying out.
Can I color the frosting with natural food colorings?

You sure can! Beet juice, turmeric, or spirulina powders make lovely natural colorants. Just add them slowly to the frosting until you reach your desired hue without thinning it too much.

Final Thoughts

This Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s the one I turn to whenever I want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s forgiving, simple, and downright delicious—not to mention a total joy to frost and decorate with whoever’s around. I hope you’ll give it a try and find your own little moments of cookie bliss with it. Happy baking, friend!