Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe Cooking With Karli

Sugar Cookie Frosting is a crusting vanilla buttercream that pipes and holds shape but tastes amazing at the same time!

Decorating Frosting for Cookies – 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!

(Printable recipe below)

Sugar Cookie Frosting is a crusting vanilla buttercream that pipes and holds shape but tastes amazing at the same time!

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

How to make Sugar Cookie Frosting

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.

Sugar Cookie Frosting is a crusting vanilla buttercream that pipes and holds shape but tastes amazing at the same time! -Cooking with Karli- #recipe #frosting #icing #buttercream #sugarcookie

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.

How to store 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.

Sugar Cookies with Frosting FAQs

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.

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.

Is cookie icing different than 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.

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Check out my other desserts:

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