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 7 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for that perfect Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe that’s not only soft and tender but also topped with a dreamy, creamy frosting that’s just begging to be devoured, you’ve come to the right place. Seriously, these cookies have quickly become my go-to when I want something sweet that feels homemade yet special enough for sharing. Stick around, because this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and pretty easy to make — perfect if you want to impress family, friends, or just treat yourself.

💚

Why This Recipe Works

Soft Texture: The combination of cornstarch and baking powder ensures these cookies stay tender and soft, not crispy or hard.
Creamy Frosting: Using butter and milk in the frosting creates just the right balance of creaminess and sweetness for perfect spreadability.
Flavor Depth: A splash of vanilla and almond extract gives these cookies a subtle but irresistible flavor boost.
Easy to Shape: Rolling dough balls and pressing them flat with a glass makes shaping quick and foolproof, even if you’re short on time.

Frosted Sugar Cookies, easy sugar cookies with frosting, homemade sugar cookies, soft sugar cookie recipe, best frosted sugar cookies - 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

Every ingredient in this Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role in making these cookies soft, flavorful, and beautifully frosted. Below, I’ll share why these are my favorite picks and what you should look for when shopping.

Frosted Sugar Cookies, easy sugar cookies with frosting, homemade sugar cookies, soft sugar cookie recipe, best frosted sugar cookies - 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 is key to a tender crumb, and using unsalted lets you control the salt levels precisely.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that ideal cookie browning.
Powdered sugar: Adding some powdered sugar in the dough adds a bit of softness and tenderness.
Egg: Helps bind ingredients and tenderize cookies – make sure it’s at room temperature to blend smoothly.
Vegetable oil: A little extra fat keeps the cookies moist and soft, balancing the butter’s richness.
Vanilla and almond extracts: Vanilla is classic, and almond extract adds a lovely hint of nutty flavor without overpowering.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy base of any cookie dough, giving the right structure.
Cornstarch: This is a secret weapon in soft cookies — it keeps them tender and delicate.
Baking powder: Leavens the dough slightly so they don’t turn out dense.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances sweetness.
Milk: Adds moisture to the frosting for a creamy finish.
Powdered sugar (for frosting): Creates that smooth, silky frosting texture.
Food coloring (optional): Because colorful frosting just makes these cookies so much fun.
Sprinkles (optional): The perfect joyful decoration, especially for celebrations.

📝

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.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe is super adaptable — you can easily tweak the flavors or appearance to suit your mood or occasion. Sometimes I add lemon zest for a citrusy twist, and other times I swap in half almond flour for a richer nutty taste. Plus, you can always get creative with your frosting colors and decorations!

Variation: Once, I tried these with orange extract instead of almond, and it gave a lovely bright flavor that everyone loved.
Dietary modification: For dairy-free, swapping butter with a vegan alternative works, but be aware it slightly changes texture.
Seasonal changes: Use red and green food coloring and festive sprinkles to make holiday-themed sugar cookies.
Difficulty levels: Want an easier approach? Use store-bought frosting but still bake these cookies fresh – they’re still amazing.

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

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars Like a Pro

Start by beating the softened butter with granulated and powdered sugar in a stand mixer on high speed for about 3 minutes. You want a pale, fluffy, creamy mixture — this is the secret to tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Don’t rush this step; it makes a huge difference in texture.

Step 2: Adding the Wet Ingredients

Next, add your egg, vegetable oil, vanilla, and almond extracts. Beat on medium speed until everything is fully combined. Remember to scrape the sides of your bowl now and then with a spatula to get every bit mixed in.

Step 3: Mixing in the Dry Ingredients Carefully

Now, toss in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Use your stand mixer on low speed and just mix until combined—don’t overmix here, or your cookies might get tough. The dough will be soft and easy to handle, which always makes me happy.

Step 4: Shaping the Dough

This part’s fun! Use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out dough balls roughly 3 inches wide and flatten them gently with the bottom of a glass. You want about half an inch thickness for that perfect softness inside. Place them on parchment-lined cookie sheets—this baking hack saves cleanup fuss!

Step 5: Baking & Cooling

Bake the cookies at 350°F for 8-9 minutes, just until the edges start to barely brown. Don’t overbake — the cookies will feel soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool. After baking, let them rest on the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Step 6: Whipping Up That Luscious Frosting

Beat softened butter using a whisk attachment until it’s light and fluffy — it’s like magic seeing the texture change! Then mix in milk, vanilla, salt, and food coloring if you want some fun hues. Add powdered sugar a cup at a time on low speed so it doesn’t fly everywhere. Finish by beating on high speed for a minute until creamy and pipeable.

Step 7: Frost and Decorate

Spread the frosting generously on cooled cookies with an offset spatula or a butter knife. If you’re feeling festive, sprinkle on colorful sprinkles while it’s still fresh. The frosting dries slightly but stays buttery and soft — so delicious!

💡

Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Overbake: Even if cookies look slightly underdone when you take them out, allow them to cool fully—they firm up perfectly off heat.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room-temp eggs and butter helps the dough combine smoothly and improves texture.
Parchment Paper is Your BFF: It prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup effortless.
Frost When Completely Cool: Frosting warm cookies will make it melt and slide off — patience pays off here!

How to Serve Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of keeping it classic with a handful of colorful sprinkles, especially when making these for a party or holiday. Sometimes I sprinkle flaky sea salt on a few for a fun salty-sweet contrast that’s strangely addictive. Edible glitter also makes a pretty option for extra sparkle if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a simple cup of coffee or hot tea, which balances their sweetness perfectly. For a party, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit platters or a light creamy dip—keeps the table vibrant and varied.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthday parties or festive occasions, I arrange these Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe beauties on a tiered cake stand—it instantly makes the dessert table pop. Wrapping them individually in clear cellophane with a ribbon also makes charming gifts or party favors. And no joke, cutting the dough into fun shapes before baking is great for holidays or kids’ events!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep any leftover frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, and they stay fresh and soft. If I want them to last a bit longer, storing in the fridge works great, just be aware the frosting might firm up slightly.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these cookies — I pop unfrosted cookie dough balls in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When I want a quick treat, I thaw them overnight and frost fresh. You can also freeze fully frosted cookies by placing them in one layer on a tray until firm, then stacking with parchment between layers.

Reheating

If you’d like to enjoy the cookies a little warm, especially if they’ve been refrigerated, I heat them gently in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes — but only if they’re unfrosted to keep the frosting from melting. Otherwise, enjoy them fresh from the fridge for a cool, creamy bite!

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or add a teaspoon to help bind the dough. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious and soft.
Why do the cookies need both granulated and powdered sugar?

Combining the two sugars helps balance the texture — granulated sugar gives structure and slight crunch, while powdered sugar adds tenderness and a soft crumb for that perfect chewiness.
Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Absolutely! A hand mixer will work just fine. Just be sure to beat long enough to get the butter and sugars nice and fluffy and remember to scrape the bowl often for even mixing.
How thick should I flatten the dough balls?

Flatten each dough ball to about half an inch thick. This ensures the cookies bake evenly, staying soft inside without becoming crispy on the edges.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the frosting a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Bring it back to room temperature and give it a quick whip before spreading to restore its creaminess.

Final Thoughts

This Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s the one I turn to whenever I need a simple, reliable crowd-pleaser. The softness of the cookies paired with that creamy, customizable frosting hits the perfect sweet spot every single time. I hope you’ll bake a batch soon, share them with your favorite people, and feel that same joy this recipe brings me every time. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll quickly become a staple in your cookie rotation!