Description
Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies are tender, sweet vanilla-flavored cookies with a delicate crumb, topped with a creamy buttery frosting that can be tinted in fun colors and decorated with sprinkles. Perfect for celebrations, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies:
- 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
Frosting:
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Mix butter and sugars: In a stand mixer bowl, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes until the mixture is pale and creamy, which adds air and smoothness to the dough.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the egg, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined, scraping the bowl sides as needed.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to the mixer. Beat on low speed just until the dough is combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen cookies.
- Shape the dough: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough. Roll each portion into a 3-inch wide ball and flatten gently to about ½ inch thick with the base of a drinking glass on the lined cookie sheet.
- Bake the cookies: Bake for 9 minutes or until the edges just begin to color. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the frosting: Using a wire whisk attachment, beat the softened butter until pale and creamy. Add milk, vanilla extract, salt, and optional food coloring. Beat on medium speed until combined, scraping sides as needed.
- Add powdered sugar: Add powdered sugar in 1 cup increments, beating on low speed after each addition until combined. Once all sugar is added, beat on high speed for 1 minute until thick and fluffy.
- Frost the cookies: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookies with an offset spatula or butter knife. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.
Notes
- A cookie scoop helps ensure uniform cookie size but a spoon can be used as an alternative.
- Frosting color can be customized or left plain depending on preference.
- If no offset spatula is available, a butter knife works well for spreading frosting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- These cookies freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
