With a soft, chewy texture and a creamy, sweet frosting, these Easy Frosted Sugar Cookies are a great way to enjoy a classic dessert from scratch. Plus, with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, even novice bakers can whip up a batch in no time!
Sugar cookies are made from a simple dough consisting of butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and baking powder. The dough is then rolled out and cut into fun shapes, or it can be shaped into round traditional cookie shapes before being baked to golden perfection. Once cooled, the cookies can be decorated with a sweet frosting and fun toppings, making them perfect for any occasion!
With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can have a batch of deliciously soft and sweet sugar cookies ready in no time. This recipe is perfect for novice bakers or curious kids who are just starting to learn their way around the kitchen. The dough comes together quickly and is easy to work with, so you can focus on having fun and getting creative with your decorations!
Change up the colors and decorations to match any occasion or holiday. You could make them pink and red with heart-shaped sprinkles for Valentine's Day or green and red with tree-shaped sprinkles for Christmas. You could even add in different mix-ins, like chocolate chips or dried fruit, to create a unique flavor profile. The possibilities are endless!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The soft, chewy texture melts in your mouth with every bite, making it the perfect treat to enjoy any time of day!
- With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is perfect for beginner bakers who want to try their hand at making delicious frosted sugar cookies from scratch.
- Sweet and creamy frosting paired with fun sprinkles makes them fun and whimsical.
- Whether you're making them for a holiday party or a family get-together, you just can't go wrong with a classic sugar cookie!
Ingredients You'll Need
- Butter (room temperature) - Serves as the base for the cookie dough and provides richness and flavor to the cookies. It is also used as a buttery and smooth base for the frosting.
- Sugar - Both brown and white sugar are used in this recipe to add sweetness and texture to the cookies.
- Eggs - Act as a binding agent and help to hold the cookie dough together. They also add moisture and richness to the dough.
- Vanilla Extract - Provides a sweet, floral flavor to the cookies and the frosting and complements the other ingredients in the recipe.
- All Purpose Flour - Gives structure to the cookies and helps to create a tender and crumbly texture.
- Baking Powder - Helps to leaven the cookies and create a light and airy texture. It also helps the cookies to rise and spread evenly in the oven.
- Powdered Sugar - The powdered sugar is used to make the frosting and adds sweetness and a smooth, spreadable texture.
- Heavy Cream - Thins out the frosting and creates a smooth and spreadable consistency.
- Sprinkles - Adds a fun and festive touch to the cookies. They also add a crunchy texture and a burst of color.
How To Make Homemade Frosted Sugar Cookies
Prepare for baking: Preheat oven to 375℉. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Mix the wet ingredients: Cream together butter and sugars using a stand mixer. Scrape the sides of the bowl down and add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
Add the dry ingredients: While the mixer is on low, add baking powder. Gradually add flour and mix until well incorporated.
Scoop and shape: Using a 2-inch cookie scoop, place the dough on the lined baking sheets leaving 2 inches between each cookie. Press the cookies down to about ½ inch thickness using the bottom of a flat cup or the bottom of a measuring cup.
Bake and cool: Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cookies are slightly golden brown around the edges. Remove the cookies from the baking sheet to a cooling rack. Cool completely.
Make the frosting: Cream together butter and vanilla extract using a stand mixer. While the mixer is on low, slowly add the powdered sugar. And heavy cream until you get the desired consistency. About 2-4 tbsp. Add a couple of drops of your desired food coloring color and mix well.
Frost the cookies: Remove the frosting from the stand mixer and add it to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Swirl the frosting onto the cookies in a circular motion starting in the center and moving to the outside.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle your favorite coordinating sprinkles on top and serve and Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- To ensure that your cookies have a uniform size and shape, use a 2-inch cookie scoop to portion out the dough. This will also help the cookies bake evenly and prevent them from spreading too much in the oven.
- If you live in a warm or humid climate, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies retain their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
- When making the frosting, start with a small amount of heavy cream and gradually add more until you reach the desired consistency. This will prevent the frosting from becoming too runny and make it easier to pipe onto the cookies.
- If you're adding food coloring to the frosting, start with a small amount and gradually add more until you achieve your desired color. Remember that a little goes a long way, so be careful not to overdo it!
- When piping the frosting onto the cookies, use a gentle, circular motion to create a swirl pattern. Leave some space around the edges of the cookie to prevent the frosting from spilling over.
Variations
- For a citrusy twist on this classic recipe, try adding the zest of one lemon or orange to the cookie dough before baking. This will add a bright and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet frosting.
- For a fun and festive touch, try using colored sugar in place of frosting. Sprinkle the cookies with your favorite colored sugar before baking.
- To add a bit of crunch and texture, mix your favorite chopped nuts or seeds into the cookie dough. Almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds all work well and add a delicious nutty flavor to the cookies.
- Sandwich two cookies together with a layer of frosting in the middle. This will create a delicious cookie sandwich that's perfect for special occasions!
- Use different colors of food coloring for the frosting depending on the occasion for serving. From baby showers to special events, frosted sugar cookies fit in everywhere!
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and keep them at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also store them in the fridge for up to one week in an airtight container.
Freezing: Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they're frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable plastic bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, take them out of the freezer and let them come to room temperature before serving.
FAQ
Yes, you can make the cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator if frozen, and proceed with the recipe as directed.
While you can technically use margarine or shortening in place of butter, it may affect the flavor and texture of the cookies. Butter adds a rich, buttery flavor and a soft, chewy texture to the cookies that may be difficult to replicate with other f
More Easy Cookie Recipes
- Crumbl Iced Oatmeal Cookies
- Fudgy Cosmic Brownie Cookies
- Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
- Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
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Easy Frosted Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1½ cup butter room temperature
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
Frosting
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2-4 tbsp heavy cream for a thinner consistency
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Pre-heat over to 375℉. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Cream together butter and sugars using a stand mixer.
- Scrape the sides of the bowl down and add eggs, and vanilla extract. Cream together.
- While the mixer is on low, add baking powder. Gradually add flour and mix until well incorporated.
- Using a 2-inch cookie scoop, place the dough on the lined baking sheets leaving 2 inches between each cookie. Press the cookies down to about ½ inch thickness using the bottom of a flat cup or the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cookies are slightly golden brown around the edges.
- Remove the cookies from the baking sheet to a cooling rack. Cool completely.
Frosting
- Cream together butter and vanilla extract using a stand mixer.
- While the mixer is on low, slowly add the powdered sugar.
- And heavy cream until you get the desired consistency. About 2-4 tbsp.
- Add a couple of drops of your desired food coloring color (I used sky blue) and mix well.
- Using a piping bag with a round or star tip carefully swirl the frosting onto the cookies in a circular motion starting in the center and moving to the outside.
- Sprinkle your favorite coordinating sprinkles on top and serve and Enjoy!
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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