Oh, sugar cookies! Is there ANYTHING better than a perfectly baked, beautifully decorated sugar cookie? I think not! And trust me, I’ve tried a LOT of cookies. This Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting recipe is seriously foolproof. Even if you’re a total beginner, you can whip these up and have them looking like they came straight from a fancy bakery. My favorite part? They’re SO customizable.
I remember one year, my little sister and I tried to make sugar cookies for Santa. Let’s just say they were…interesting. Rock hard and decorated with WAY too much sprinkleage. But THESE cookies? Oh, these would have made Santa very, very happy. They are that good. Get ready to bake some magic!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe
Benefits of Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting
Okay, so why should *you* bother with *my* Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting recipe? Well, for starters, it’s EASY! Seriously, if I can do it (and I have my moments…oops!), you totally can too. But the best part? These babies DON’T SPREAD! You know, when you cut out a cute little star and it turns into a blob? Yeah, none of that here! The frosting? Dreamy and delicious. Plus, you can decorate them however you want! Perfect for holiday baking, birthday parties, or just a fun afternoon with the kiddos!
Ingredients for Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! For these amazing easy sugar cookies, you’ll need: 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (key word: SOFTENED!), 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 large egg, 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon table salt.
And for the frosting? You’ll need: 3 cups (375g) powdered sugar (make sure it’s sifted!), 3-4 Tablespoons milk, 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, gel food coloring (optional, but OH SO FUN!), and any candies or sprinkles your heart desires!
Ingredient Notes for Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting
Okay, listen up! The *right* ingredients are super important. That butter? Needs to be softened. Like, *really* softened. If it’s too cold, you’ll end up with lumpy dough. Blegh! And the corn syrup in the frosting? Don’t skip it! It gives the frosting that gorgeous, glossy shine. Trust me, it makes a difference! You *can* substitute almond or lemon extract for some of the vanilla if you’re feeling fancy. And hey, if you’re out of table salt, sea salt will work too, just don’t use too much!
How to Make Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting: Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Easy Sugar Cookies
Alright, let’s get baking! First, you’ll want to cream together your softened butter and sugar in a mixer until it’s nice and creamy. Then, add in your egg and vanilla extract. Mix it all up until it’s well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Now, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until it’s all smooth. Don’t overmix!
Okay, this is important: divide the dough in half, wrap each half in plastic wrap, and flatten them into disks. This helps them chill faster. Pop those disks into the fridge for at LEAST 2-3 hours. Trust me, don’t skip the chilling! While the dough is chilling, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Once the dough is chilled, dust a surface with flour and roll it out. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to the baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet before frosting. Careful, they’re delicate when warm!
Making the Sugar Cookie Frosting
Now, for the fun part! In a bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons of milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir it all together until it’s smooth. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you get the consistency you want. If it’s too runny (oops!), add a bit more powdered sugar. Now, if you’re feeling colorful, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add gel food coloring. Remember, a little goes a long way!
Once your frosting is ready, transfer it to a piping bag. If you don’t have a piping bag, a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off works just fine! Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cookies and decorate with your favorite candies and sprinkles. Let the frosting harden completely before stacking, storing, or (most importantly) eating! Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting
Want sugar cookies that are *actually* perfect? Here’s the inside scoop! Make sure that butter is *seriously* softened, or your dough will be a lumpy mess. Chill that dough for the full 2-3 hours (or even longer!). It prevents spreading like magic. For the frosting, add milk VERY slowly to get the right consistency. Too much, and you’ll have a runny disaster! And hey, have fun with the decorations! That’s my favorite part!
Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting Variations
Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting recipe (go you!). Now, let’s get wild! Try swapping vanilla extract for almond or lemon extract for a fun twist. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the dough adds a cozy warmth. And don’t even get me STARTED on the decorations! Use different food colorings to match any holiday or theme. Sprinkles? Go crazy! Candy? Heck yeah! Get creative and have fun with it!
Storing and Reheating Your Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting
So, you’ve got leftover Easy Sugar Cookies?! Wow, you have more self-control than me! To store them, just pop them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week (if they last that long!). As for the frosting, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. No need to reheat the cookies, but if you want to soften the frosting a bit after it’s been chilled, just let it sit at room temperature for a little while. Easy peasy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting
Can I make the Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Making the dough in advance is a total lifesaver, especially during the holidays. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap (or pop it in an airtight container) and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften up a bit before rolling it out. Easy peasy!
How do I prevent my Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting from spreading?
Ugh, spread-y cookies are the WORST! But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. The key is to chill that dough! Seriously, don’t skip that step! It helps the butter solidify, which prevents the cookies from spreading in the oven. Also, make sure your oven temperature is accurate. Too hot, and they’ll spread faster! And resist the urge to overmix the dough. Overmixing develops the gluten, which can also lead to spreading. For more tips on baking, check out our recipes.
Can I freeze Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting?
Yes, you totally can! You can freeze the baked (but unfrosted!) cookies for up to 3 months. Just let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer-safe bag or container. To thaw, just let them sit at room temperature for a couple of hours. You can also freeze the frosting! Just make sure it’s in an airtight container. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and then give it a good stir before piping.
Nutritional Information for Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting
Okay, so, nutrition info! Here’s the deal: it totally depends on what brands you use and how crazy you get with the decorations. So, I can’t give you exact numbers, sorry! For more information on baking ingredients, you can consult King Arthur Baking’s ingredient guides.
Enjoy Your Homemade Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting!
Alright, cookie lovers, that’s all there is to it! Now go forth and bake some amazing Easy Sugar Cookies! And hey, if you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and let me know how they turned out! Don’t forget to share a pic on social media too! Happy baking!
Foolproof Easy Sugar Cookies & Sugar Cookie Frosting
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 40 sugar cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy sugar cookie recipe yields tasty cookies that don’t spread. Instructions for a pretty and foolproof sugar cookie frosting are also included. The recipe may be doubled.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon table salt
- 3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 3–4 Tablespoons milk
- 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring, optional
- Additional candies and sprinkles for decorating, optional
Instructions
- Combine butter and sugar in a mixer and beat until creamy.
- Add egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet until smooth.
- Wrap half of the dough in plastic wrap and flatten into a disk. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Chill dough in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dust a surface with flour and roll out the dough to 1/8 or 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer to the baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges turn lightly golden brown.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on the cookie sheet before decorating.
- Combine powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons of milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract in a bowl and stir until combined. Adjust milk for desired consistency.
- If coloring, divide frosting into bowls and color as desired.
- Transfer frosting to a piping bag.
- Pipe frosting on cookies and decorate with candies, if desired.
- Allow frosting to harden before enjoying, stacking, or storing.
Notes
- You may reduce vanilla extract and add almond or lemon extract.
- Light corn syrup is recommended for a firm, glossy finish.
- To make icing in advance, store in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed against the surface.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: Varies depending on size and toppings
- Sugar: Varies depending on size and toppings
- Sodium: Varies depending on size and toppings
- Fat: Varies depending on size and toppings
- Saturated Fat: Varies depending on size and toppings
- Unsaturated Fat: Varies depending on size and toppings
- Trans Fat: Varies depending on size and toppings
- Carbohydrates: Varies depending on size and toppings
- Fiber: Varies depending on size and toppings
- Protein: Varies depending on size and toppings
- Cholesterol: Varies depending on size and toppings
