Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These soft frosted sugar cookies are delightfully tender with a creamy, sweet frosting that melts in your mouth. Perfect for any occasion, they offer a wonderful balance of buttery dough and rich, fluffy icing. Whether for holidays or everyday treats, these cookies will quickly become a favorite.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened) – for cookies
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened) – for frosting
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 2 Tbsp milk
• ½ tsp salt (for frosting)
• Pink or red food coloring (optional)
• 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
• Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a stand mixer bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar with a flat beater attachment on high speed for 3 minutes until pale and creamy.
3. Step 3: Add the egg, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until well combined, scraping the bowl sides as needed.
4. Step 4: Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to the mixture. Beat on low speed until just combined.
5. Step 5: Use a cookie scoop to portion dough. Roll each scoop into a ball about 3 inches wide and ½ inch thick. Place on the lined cookie sheets and gently flatten with the base of a drinking glass.
6. Step 6: Bake for 8-9 minutes, or until cookies just begin to color. Let cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
7. Step 7: For the frosting, beat softened butter in a mixer bowl with a wire whisk attachment until pale and creamy. Add milk, vanilla extract, salt, and food coloring if using. Beat on medium speed until combined, scraping bowl sides.
8. Step 8: Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until incorporated before adding the next. Increase speed to high and beat for 1 minute until thick and fluffy.
9. Step 9: Spread frosting over cooled cookies using an offset spatula or butter knife. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cookie dough.
• Substitute almond extract with more vanilla extract if preferred.
• Use gel food coloring for more vibrant frosting without thinning it.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
• If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce powdered sugar by ½ cup.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw and frost as usual. Frosted cookies can be refrigerated but bring to room temperature before eating for best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting the cookies.

How do I make the frosting less sweet?

You can cut the powdered sugar by about half a cup and add a little more milk to adjust the consistency, balancing sweetness and spreadability.

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 71 reviews

• Author: Rafael
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies are tender, buttery, and perfectly sweet with a light crumb. Baked to a delicate golden hue and topped with a smooth, creamy vanilla frosting, these cookies offer a delightful texture and flavor balance. Ideal for celebrations or a comforting homemade treat, they can be customized with colorful food coloring and sprinkles to match any occasion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp milk
• ½ tsp salt
• Pink or red food coloring (optional)
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• Sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal later.
2. Mix Butter and Sugars: In a stand mixer fitted with a flat beater attachment, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes until the mixture becomes pale and creamy, creating a light base for your cookie dough.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the buttery sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until all ingredients are fully incorporated, scraping the bowl with a spatula as needed to make sure everything is mixed evenly.
4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to the mixer. Beat on low speed just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft and tender.
5. Shape Cookies: Using a cookie scoop, portion out spoonfuls of dough. Roll each into a ball about 3 inches wide and ½ inch thick. Place on the lined cookie sheets and gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a drinking glass to form even disks.
6. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8 to 9 minutes, or until they are just beginning to show a slight color around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
7. Prepare Frosting: To make the frosting, beat the softened butter in the stand mixer with a wire whisk attachment until it is pale and creamy. Add the milk, vanilla extract, salt, and food coloring if desired, and beat on medium speed until well combined, scraping the sides as needed.
8. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed after each addition until fully incorporated. Once all sugar is added, increase speed to high and beat for 1 minute until the frosting is thick and fluffy.
9. Frost and Decorate: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookies using an offset spatula or butter knife. If desired, decorate with sprinkles for a festive touch. Let the frosting set slightly before serving.

Notes

• Using softened butter is key for both the dough and frosting to ensure proper texture and mixability.
• Chilling the dough briefly is optional but can help prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• For a stronger almond flavor, a few more drops of almond extract can be added judiciously.
• If not using food coloring, the frosting can remain a classic creamy white.
• Cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
• Make sure cookies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: soft sugar cookies, frosted sugar cookies, vanilla sugar cookies, holiday cookies, easy cookie recipe, homemade sugar cookies