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The only frosting you’ll need for Sugar Cookies from now on- Super simple to make, actually tastes good (we all know what I’m talking about), and the outside of the frosting crusts so they can be packaged without the frosting smearing everywhere! That’s a win-win-win, as Michael Scott would say.
This Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe is Delicious and Stackable!
This 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 and I certainly won’t judge you if you do the same.
This frosting can be used with homemade Sugar Cookies, store-bought sugar cookies, or even the kind that you make from a mix from the grocery store. No matter the cookie, this frosting with MAKE it.
This crusting buttercream is incredibly easy to make and super delicious, to boot. Before you know it, you’ll be making it to top literally everything with. Again, no judgement here.
Cookie Frosting Ingredients
- Butter– This is what all good frostings start with, right? I alway use salted butter. If you only have unsalted on hand, add a pinch of salt to the frosting.
- Vegetable Shortening– hear me out with this one, this is the magical ingredient that makes our frosting crust. Meaning, it was have a dry outer layer so it won’t smear like crazy but the inside of the frosting will stay soft and creamy. If you are planning on eating immediately, you can totally use all butter. However, if packaging these bad boys up is in your future, definitely use the vegetable shortening.
- Powdered sugar– This both sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Vanilla– I’m a vanilla girl through and through but feel free to get creative here. Almond extract, cake batter, you name it, you can use it! Note that I usually use Clear Vanilla to get a bright white frosting which makes coloring the frosting easier.
- Milk or Heavy Cream– I always have heavy cream on hand so that is what I typically use to achieve a super rich and creamy frosting. You can definitely use milk, you just won’t need near as much.
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.
How to Make Frosting for Sugar Cookies
- In a mixing bowl, start by creaming the butter and vegetable shortening until it becomes smooth. Use the lowest setting on your mixer.
- Add one cup of powdered sugar, followed by just enough milk or heavy cream to blend the powdered sugar and butter mixture together.
- Repeat this step for the remaining powdered sugar, continuing to mix on the lowest setting. At this point, the frosting should be quite thick.
- Now, add the vanilla extract (or flavoring of your choice) and mix thoroughly into the frosting.
- To achieve your desired frosting consistency, gradually add small amounts of milk or heavy cream at a time. Keep the mixer on the lowest setting while doing this.
- Once you’ve reached the ideal consistency, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add gel food coloring to achieve your desired colors.
- Transfer the colored frosting into piping bags for decorating the cooled cookies, or you can use a knife to spread it onto the cookies.
Cookie Frosting Recipe Tips
- 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.
- Butter: 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.
- Shelf life: 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 Storage
In the short term (a few hours or up to 2 days) 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.
Frosting for Cookies FAQs
Yes! All that powdered sugar stabilizes the milk in this recipe and keeps it from spoiling.
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.
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.
Yes, cookie icing and frosting are different in terms of their texture, consistency and intended use. Frosting is typically thicker and can be piped or spread onto cookies while icing is thinner and usually is like a glaze on a cookie.
More like this Cookie Frosting Recipe:
- 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
Frosting for Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (56g) salted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (48g) vegetable shortening
- 3 cups (321g) powdered sugar
- 2 tsp clear vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60mL) heavy cream , can sub milk (approx 2 tbsp), if desired.
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, start by creaming the butter and vegetable shortening until it becomes smooth. Use the lowest setting on your mixer.1/4 cup (56g) salted butter, 1/4 cup (48g) vegetable shortening
- Add one cup of powdered sugar, followed by just enough milk or heavy cream to blend the powdered sugar and butter mixture together.3 cups (321g) powdered sugar, 1/4 cup (60mL) heavy cream
- Repeat this step for the remaining powdered sugar, continuing to mix on the lowest setting. At this point, the frosting should be quite thick.
- Now, add the vanilla extract (or flavoring of your choice) and mix thoroughly into the frosting.2 tsp clear vanilla extract
- To achieve your desired frosting consistency, gradually add small amounts of milk or heavy cream at a time. Keep the mixer on the lowest setting while doing this.
- Once you've reached the ideal consistency, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add gel food coloring to achieve your desired colors.
- Transfer the colored frosting into piping bags for decorating the cooled cookies, or you can use a knife to spread it onto the cookies.
Video
Nutrition
Goodness gracious. This frosting is perfection! Why I have not tried it before now is beyond me. It’s the BEST. 👏🏼
I’m so glad that it worked out for you Karen, thanks for the comment!
Probably a dumb question, but I’ll ask anyway. I see the pictures showing piped frosting but can you just spread it on top. Boring, I know, but I’m still curious. Thanks.
Yeah, for sure! This spreads really well and tastes just as good! 🙂
If I dnt have clear vanilla extract is it ok to use normal vanilla extract?
Yes, for sure!
I have a quick question: you mentioned in the recipe and video that we can just use butter instead of a butter/shortening mixture, but then it looked like you still used a 1/4 cup butter without doubling up to the full stick to make up for the shortening being left out. Is that correct? Should we use just the half stick of butter or go up to a full stick for a non-crusting buttercream with this recipe? Thank you!
For this recipe you’ll want 1/2 cup total of either butter or butter/shortening combo if that makes sense. So if you want to use all butter, use 1/2 cup of butter. Hope that clears things up!
It does, thank you! That was what I was thinking at first reading the recipe so I’m glad I checked!
I tried it out today along with your sugar cookie recipe and it turned out great!! Sharing with friends and family for sure! I wish I could attach a picture to show how well it worked out!
I’m excited to try your frosting recipe! I made your sugar cookie recipe and I have to say… two thumbs up! The dough is super easy to use! Hummmm maybe I should be leaving this comment on the cookie recipe 😉❤️
❤️❤️❤️
Does this frosting harden up once on?
It will have a crust over the frosting so you could put it into a bag or something but the frosting is still soft, it doesn’t harden like royal icing.
Can this frosting be frozen? I’d like to make and frost a batch of cookies and stick them in the freezer.
Yes, I’ve done that before and it works great!
Hi! Is the butter salted or unsalted
I always use salted.
Can I use this on cupcakes?
Yes! Works great!
Hi! This recipe looks delicidous. Would this frosting work to “glue” on candy sprinkles? Specifically candy eyeballs for Elmo lol.
Yes, that should work! 🙂
This was such a quick and easy recipe. I had all the ingredients in my pantry.
Once frosted can the cookies be stacked?
Yes, once the frosting has crusted over, you can stack them on top of each other.