Description
This Sugar Cookie Frosting recipe creates a smooth, creamy, and fluffy buttercream perfect for decorating sugar cookies. Made with simple ingredients like unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, it offers a lightly sweetened, soft texture that dries slightly on the surface while remaining tender underneath. Customize the frosting with food coloring and sprinkles for festive occasions or everyday treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Frosting Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons milk (plus more as needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional, for decorating)
Instructions
- Beat the butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until it becomes smooth and creamy, which usually takes about 2 minutes at medium speed using a hand or stand mixer.
- Add powdered sugar gradually: Slowly add the sifted powdered sugar into the bowl while mixing on low speed to prevent sugar dust from escaping. Continue mixing until fully incorporated and the mixture thickens.
- Incorporate milk, vanilla, and salt: Add 2 tablespoons of milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into the mixture. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 2–3 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth.
- Adjust consistency if needed: If the frosting is too thick to spread easily, add additional milk one teaspoon at a time until you reach a desired spreadable consistency.
- Add optional color: Divide the frosting into separate bowls if you want multiple colors. Mix in a few drops of food coloring to each bowl and stir well to combine.
- Frost and decorate cookies: Use the frosting immediately to ice cooled sugar cookies. Decorate with sprinkles if desired for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- This frosting dries slightly on the surface yet remains soft beneath, making it ideal for frosted sugar cookies.
- Store leftover frosting in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or refrigerate for up to a week.
- If refrigerated, bring the frosting back to room temperature and stir well before use to restore its soft, spreadable texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Frosting for 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
