Easy Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe
A smooth, delicious, and versatile sugar cookie frosting recipe perfect for decorating homemade treats. This easy-to-make frosting features a delightful balance of sweetness and subtle vanilla and almond extracts, creating a creamy canvas ideal for piping or spreading on sugar cookies. Whether for holiday cut-outs or simple drop cookies, this frosting ensures beautiful and tasty results that will impress.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 0 Minutes
- Total Time: 15 Minutes
- Yield: Approximately 3 cups 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Frosting Ingredients
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk, plus more as needed
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Food coloring (various colors for decorating)
Instructions
- Cream the Butter: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy, incorporating air to create a smooth base.
- Gradually Add Powdered Sugar: Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time to the creamed butter, mixing on low speed after each addition. Scrape down the bowl sides frequently to ensure an even, lump-free mixture.
- Incorporate Liquids and Extracts: Pour in the ¼ cup milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon almond extract. Mix on low speed until these ingredients are fully combined; the mixture will be very thick at this stage.
- Adjust Consistency and Achieve Smoothness: Increase mixer speed to medium, adding additional milk one teaspoon at a time if the frosting is too thick. Avoid overmixing. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl until the frosting is glossy, smooth, and creamy.
- Divide and Color Your Frosting: If desired, portion the frosting into separate bowls and add food coloring drops. Stir gently until colors are evenly blended. For vibrant hues, gel food coloring is recommended to maintain consistency.
Notes
- Use softened butter—not melted—to prevent greasy frosting.
- Gradually add powdered sugar to avoid lumps and mess.
- Add milk gradually to control frostings’ thickness; less for piping, more for spreading.
- Gel food coloring is preferred for vibrant colors without thinning the frosting.
- The frosting can be prepared 1-2 days in advance; store refrigerated and rewhip before use.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting.
- Variants include replacing some milk with heavy cream or using different extracts like lemon, orange, or peppermint for flavor twists.
Keywords: sugar cookie frosting, easy frosting recipe, vanilla almond frosting, decorating sugar cookies, no-cook frosting, holiday cookie decoration, frosting for sugar cookies
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