Sugar Cookie Frosting is a crusting vanilla buttercream that pipes and holds shape but tastes amazing at the same time!
Sugar Cookie Frosting – great all-purpose frosting!
Sugar Cookie Frosting is one of those things that I know I could do some real damage with. I could eat this stuff by the spoonful..okay, okay. You caught me. I totally have eaten this stuff by the spoonful.
The frosting is good on so many more things than just sugar cookies. I top my cinnamon rolls with it and use it to glaze doughnuts too!
Check out the Perfect Sugar Cookie Recipe!
The frosting is made up of butter, shortening, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk. I literally measure all ingredients out and throw them all into the stand mixer at the same time and just go for it. THAT is definitely my style.
Depending on what my plans are with the frosting, I will often use all butter instead of half butter, half shortening. This will result in a non-crusting frosting. Perfect for cinnamon rolls, in my delicious cream pies and on cakes!
Tips for the PERFECT Sugar Cookie Frosting
- Use Clear Vanilla Extract to keep your frosting bright and white! If you plan on dying the frosting, this helps to keep your colors bright! I found mine at Walmart.
- You can use all butter instead of half butter and half shortening, this will just result in a non crusting frosting. That type of buttercream is not stackable at all.
- YES, this frosting is okay at room temperature for 2-3 days. I know, I know. The milk! Have no fear! There is enough sugar to stabilize the milk.
Sugar Cookie Frosting
(Printable recipe below)
Sugar Cookie Frosting is a crusting vanilla buttercream that pipes and holds shape but tastes amazing at the same time!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter room temperature
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp clear vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment. Whip until well combined.
- You can add more powdered sugar or milk to get the frosting to the consistency you like.
- If dying with food coloring, stir the food coloring in by hand at the very end.
- This frosting pairs great with The Perfect Sugar Cookie.
Check out my other desserts:
- Funfetti Cookies
- No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
- Sprinkle Cookies
- Cheesecake Bites
- Muddy Buddy Cookies
- Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies
- Brownie Ice-cream Sandwiches
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
- Peanut Butter Birds Nest Cookies
- Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies
- Homemade Glazed Donuts
- All Dessert Recipes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Sugar Cookie Frosting okay at room temperature even though it contains milk?
Yes! All that powdered sugar stabilizes the milk in this recipe and keeps it from spoiling.
How is the best way to store Sugar Cookie Frosting?
In the short term (a few hours or up to 1 day) store in and air tight container on the counter. If you are wanting to store longterm (up to 1 week!) store in the refrigerator. Just pull the frosting out a few hours before needing it to allow the frosting to come up to room temperature.
When is the best time to add food coloring to the Sugar Cookie Frosting?
Add the food coloring by hand right before frosting the cookies. So, if you are planning on saving this frosting to use later in the week, I would suggest keeping the frosting white until right before using it.
Do I have to use Clear Vanilla Extract in my Sugar Cookie Frosting?
Nope, regular vanilla extract will taste great! I like to use the clear extract so my frosting colors stay bright and clear. Using Clear extract also allows for a brilliant white frosting.
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Sugar Cookie Frosting
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter room temperature
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp clear vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment. Whip until well combined.
- You can add more powdered sugar or milk to get the frosting to the consistency you like.
- If dying with food coloring, stir the food coloring in by hand at the very end.
Karli Bitner says
I like using the 2D tip mostly.
Emily says
Do I use salted or unsalted butter?
Karli Bitner says
I use salted.