Description
This sugar cookie frosting recipe is creamy, smooth, and easy to spread, perfect for holiday cookies or everyday treats. Made with butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, it’s a classic frosting that sets slightly but stays soft. Ideal for decorating sugar cookies with kids or for special occasions.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk (plus more as needed)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
1. Beat the softened butter with a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
2. Slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low to avoid a sugar cloud. Increase speed as it incorporates.
3. Add milk and vanilla extract and beat until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Add more milk if needed.
4. Mix in a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
5. If using food coloring, divide frosting and add color one drop at a time, stirring to combine.
6. Spread or pipe onto completely cooled cookies. Let sit at room temperature to set slightly.
Notes
This frosting sets enough for stacking but stays soft.
Use gel food coloring for vibrant hues without thinning the frosting.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 1 week or freeze up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Frosting
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 frosted cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 15mg