Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe

If you’re anything like me, finding a simple, foolproof sugar cookie recipe that also lets you get your creativity on with frosting is a total win. This Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe is exactly that—it’s straightforward, reliably delicious, and produces soft, buttery cookies that hold up beautifully under a sweet, glossy icing. Once you try it, you’ll understand why I keep coming back to this recipe for every occasion, from weekday treats to festive cookie swaps.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Choosing the right ingredients makes all the difference here, and I’ve found that using quality butter and fresh vanilla really elevate the flavor. Plus, knowing a few tricks about your flour and frosting ingredients means your cookies will come out just right the first time.

• Unsalted Butter: Softened but not melted; this keeps the dough creamy and pliable for rolling out easily.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and a bit of crunch in the cookie’s texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla is best; it gives the cookies and frosting that warm, classic flavor.
• Large Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough—make sure it’s fresh for the best texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough without making them cakey.
• Table Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Powdered Sugar: For the frosting; sifted to keep it smooth and lump-free.
• Milk: Whole milk works great for richness, but any kind will do.
• Light Corn Syrup: This keeps the frosting glossy and helps it dry firm—trust me, it’s worth including!
• Gel Food Coloring (optional): Add a splash of color to bring your cookies to life.
• Decorative Candies and Sprinkles (optional): Because sometimes the cookie just isn’t complete without a festive touch.

Variations

I love how customizable this Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe is. Anytime I want to switch things up, I play around with flavors or decorating styles—go ahead and make it your own!

• Extract Flavors: Once, I swapped half the vanilla for almond extract and got the most amazing subtle nuttiness—I highly recommend experimenting!
• Frosting Textures: If you want a softer frosting, just skip the corn syrup and add a splash more milk; it won’t dry quite as hard but stays yummy.
• Gluten-Free Version: Using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend works well; I tested this for a friend, and the cookies still had that lovely tender bite.
• Decorating Fun: Colored sanding sugars, edible glitter, or tiny candy pearls all jazz up your cookies instantly—great for kids to help with, too!

How to Make Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating together your softened butter and granulated sugar. I use a stand mixer, but a hand mixer works just fine too. Beat them until the mixture is creamy and smooth—this step is key to the light, tender texture you want in your cookies. It usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium speed.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla Extract

Next, mix in your egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. You’ll notice the dough starts to look richer and a bit more cohesive—that’s perfect.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed, which helps avoid pockets of baking powder or salt later.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined. The dough will be sticky at this point—don’t panic, that’s totally normal! Sticky dough means yummy, tender cookies.

Step 5: Chill Your Dough

Divide the dough into two portions, flatten each into a disk, and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Chilling is essential—it makes rolling easier and flavors to meld. I usually leave mine for at least 2-3 hours or sometimes overnight if I’m prepping ahead.

Step 6: Roll and Cut Your Cookies

Once chilled, lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll your dough to your desired thickness (1/8″ for crispier, 1/4″ for softer cookies). If you notice cracks while rolling, let the dough rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes; it’ll soften up nicely. Use cookie cutters for fun shapes and transfer gently to your baking sheet.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes, depending on cookie size. You want the edges to just start turning a light golden brown. Remember, smaller cookies bake faster! Once out of the oven, let them cool completely on the baking sheet before frosting.

Step 8: Make the Frosting

Combine powdered sugar, milk, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth. If it’s too thick to pipe, add milk a teaspoon at a time; too thin? Add more powdered sugar. For a pop of color, divide the frosting and add gel food coloring now.

Step 9: Decorate and Let Dry

Transfer the frosting to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off if you’re in a hurry. Pipe with care, adding sprinkles or candies while the frosting is wet. Give them a few hours to dry and harden before you stack or box them up.

How to Serve Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with pastel sprinkles or tiny edible silver balls for a bit of sparkle. Sometimes, if it’s a holiday, I’ll use themed candies—peppermint bits at Christmas or colored sugars in seasonally appropriate hues. These tiny details always impress guests and give me that little baker’s pride moment.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect alongside a warm cup of tea, rich hot chocolate, or even a chilled glass of milk for the kids. I’ve also paired them with fresh fruit platters at brunches and they hold up well without being overpowering—just a lovely sweet balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthday parties, I love arranging these cookies on tiered stands with little labels for each color or flavor variation, making it a fun interactive dessert bar. For holidays, I sometimes package them in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon—makes a great gift, especially when kids helped decorate!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—it keeps them soft and fresh up to ten days. Just make sure they’re completely dry and the frosting is fully set before storing to avoid sticking.

Freezing

If I’m baking way ahead, I freeze the unbaked dough disks wrapped tight in plastic wrap and foil—then I can slice and bake fresh whenever I want. Baked cookies freeze well too, but I recommend freezing without frosting and decorating after thawing to keep things neat.

Reheating

Sometimes I like to warm cookies for a few seconds in the microwave to bring back that freshly baked feel—just 5-8 seconds usually does it without melting the frosting. You can also let them come to room temp out of the freezer before enjoying.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Easy Sugar Cookies with Frosting Recipe turns out every single time. It’s one of those recipes that makes you feel like a pro baker with minimal effort—and the smiles I get when serving these are priceless. Whether you’re decorating with kids, making a festive batch for friends, or just indulging in a little homemade sweetness, I’m confident you’ll enjoy every bite and moment making them. Give it a try and let me know your favorite twist—I promise it’ll become a staple in your baking repertoire!

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