• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Instant Pot Recipe Guide! download now!

FREE 5 Instant Pot Meals in 5 Minutes E Course!


Thank you for subscribing!


Your Homebased Mom

  • About
  • Latest
  • Contact
NEW! Watch on youtube!

Your Homebased Mom

Leigh Anne Wilkes

  • Recipes
    • Course
      • Appetizers
      • Beverages
      • Bread
      • Breakfast and Brunch
      • Dessert
        • Bars and Brownies
        • Cake
        • Candy and Treats
        • Cookies
        • Ice Cream
        • Pie
      • Main Dishes
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches and Burgers
      • Sauces and Dressings
      • Side Dishes
      • Soup
    • Cooking Method
      • Crock Pot
      • Grilling
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pan
      • Oven
      • Quick and Easy
      • Recipes for Two
    • Ingredients
      • Beef
      • Eggs
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Poultry
        • Chicken
        • Turkey
      • Seafood
      • Vegetarian
      • Gluten Free
    • Cuisine
      • American
      • Asian
      • European
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
    • Holiday
      • New Year’s Eve
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Easter
      • 4th of July
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
  • Travel
    • Europe
    • United States
      • New York City
      • Portland
    • What To Wear
  • Life
    • Home
    • Party Ideas
    • Empty Nesters
    • Church
      • Activity Day
      • Relief Society
    • Organizational Tips
    • Recommended Reads
  • New? Start Here
  • Subscribe for weekly recipes

    FREE 5 Instant Pot Meals in 5 Minutes E Course!


    Thank you for subscribing!


Recipe Finder

  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Dessert
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Burgers
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
  • Cooking Method
    • Oven
    • Crock Pot
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • One Pan
    • Quick and Easy
  • Ingredients
    • Beef
    • Eggs
    • Pasta
    • Pork
    • Poultry
    • Seafood
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten Free
  • Cuisine
    • American
    • Asian
    • European
    • Indian
    • Italian
    • Mediterranean
    • Mexican
  • Holiday
    • New Year’s Eve
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Course / Dessert / Cookies / Sugar Cookie Icing

Sugar Cookie Icing

Jump to Recipe Video Share
Share on:
By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 12/13/22Updated: 12/06/24

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

bowl of white sugar cooking frosting

This easy sugar cookie icing recipe is the best you will ever eat.  The frosting tastes as good as the cookie, maybe even better!  Either way, it is the only sugar cookie icing recipe you will ever need.

Sugar Cookie Frosting

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I eat cake and sugar cookies so I can eat frosting.  For me, the frosting is the best part.  I am a firm believer that the frosting should taste as good or better than the cake or cookie and this frosting does! 

I began making sugar cookies when I was about 12 and I was designated the official family sugar cookie maker, especially at Christmas.  This icing recipe is the one I’ve been using since I first started making decorated cookies.  Nothing beats a delicious buttercream frosting.  You can find my favorite sugar cookie recipe here.

bowl of Sugar Cookie Frosting

Ingredients Needed

  • Butter. Only use real butter and buy a good quality butter. I use salted butter. If using unsalted butter, add in a pinch of salt. Butter should be softened or room temperature.
  • Powdered Sugar. Also known as confectioners’ sugar. Make sure your sugar is fresh and doesn’t have a bunch of lumps. If it is lumpy, put it through a fine mesh strainer first.
  • Milk or Whipping cream
  • Pure Vanilla Extract. You can substitute with any flavor extract you like such as almond extract, peppermint, orange, or lemon extract etc. Use a clear vanilla extract for more vibrant colors.
  • Food Coloring. Divide frosting into smaller bowls to make different colors of icing. I prefer to use gel food coloring. See tip below for using liquid food coloring.
frosted Christmas Cookies

How to make sugar cookie Icing

  • Cream the butter well before adding in sugar in a stand mixer. You can also use a hand mixer and a large bowl.
  • Stir in your powdered sugar gradually, don’t just dump it all in.  If your powdered sugar is really lumpy, sift it first through a fine mesh strainer.
  • Pour in vanilla extract and enough milk to make it the right consistency for spreading. Add in a few tablespoons of milk at a time.
  • Use on cooled cookies.
  • After frosting add any sprinkles or decorations desired.
frosted sugar cookies

Tips from Leigh Anne

  1. If using liquid food coloring, add in your food coloring before adding in all your liquid, you may need a little less liquid.
  2. Do not over beat your frosting as it will put too much air into the frosting.
  3. Use your sugar cookie frosting at room temperature.  If you have stored it in the fridge, allow it to come to room temperature first
  4. If frosting is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar and if it is too thick, add some more milk, just a little at a time.
frosted christmas tree Sugar Cookies

Pair This With

  • This sugar cookie frosting is perfect on these Chocolate Sugar Cookies by adding in some cocoa powder. 
  • I love using almond extract for these small batch sugar cookies.
  • My favorite cookie to use it on are these Decorated Sugar Cookies

Frequently Asked Questions

Does icing need to be refrigerated?

Icing can be stored at room temperature for up to three days. If you want it to last longer, it can be refrigerated for up to a week. Cover with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out.

Can I freeze frosted sugar cookies?

You can freeze iced cookies. Allow the frosting to totally set up first. Place cookies in an airtight container. If you are stacking them, place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper between the layers. They can be frozen for up to three months.

Can I pipe sugar cookie icing onto cookies?

This recipe is for a buttercream frosting which is meant to be spread with a knife on the cookie. If you want a frosting that can be used in a piping bag, use the one found in this recipe.

Check out some of our other favorite cookie recipes:

  • Decorated Sugar Cookies
  • Maple Cookies
  • Lemon Brownies
  • Toffee Almond Cookies
  • Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Crispy Oatmeal Cookies

Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.

4.94 from 73 votes
Sugar Cookie Frosting

Sugar Cookie Frosting

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
The best sugar cookie frosting you will ever need.  The frosting tastes as good as the cookie!
serves: 32 (1Tbs) servings
Prep:10 minutes minutes
Cook:0 minutes minutes
0 minutes minutes
Total:10 minutes minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 Tbsp cream or milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • food coloring

Instructions

  • Cream butter.
  • Gradually add in powdered sugar.
  • Add in milk and extract.
  • Add add in food coloring and any additional milk if needed to get a smooth spreading consistency.

Tips & Notes:

recipe makes 2 cups
  • If using liquid food coloring, add in your food coloring before adding in all your liquid, you may need a little less liquid.
  • Do not over beat your frosting as it will put too much air into the frosting.
  • Use your sugar cookie frosting at room temperature.  If you have stored it in the fridge, allow it to come to room temperature first

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 586kcal (29%) Carbohydrates: 90g (30%) Fat: 25g (38%) Saturated Fat: 16g (100%) Cholesterol: 76mg (25%) Sodium: 162mg (7%) Sugar: 88g (98%) Vitamin A: 865IU (17%) Calcium: 20mg (2%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
Sugar Cookie Frosting
Did you make this?I love seeing what you made. Be sure to share a picture and tag @yourhomebasedmom on social media!
Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating
Previous Post
Almond Meltaway Cookies
Next Post
Spritz Cookies

Reader Interactions

4.94 from 73 votes (48 ratings without comment)

Leave a Review Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Made this? Rate this recipe:




  1. Dave says

    Posted on 3/22 at 4:17 pm

    Absolutely phenomenal! Not overly sweet, just perfect

    Reply
  2. Gigi says

    Posted on 2/15 at 2:54 pm

    Very easy to prepare and decorate with, and best of all delicious!!!!

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Seasonal Posts

Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe

Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream

dish of blueberry ice cream

Fresh Blueberry Ice Cream

creamsicle ice cream in a hand

Creamsicle Ice Cream

two cones with malted milk ice cream on them

Malted Milk Ice Cream

Most Popular Posts

Crock Pot 5 ingredient Pork Roast sliced

Crock Pot Pork Roast

rolls in a white pan

30 Minute Rolls

Lemon Oatmeal Cookies

Lemon Oatmeal Cookies

chicken cooked in the microwave

How to Cook Chicken in the Microwave

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Trending Now

overhead shot of cinnamon rolls

One Hour Cinnamon Rolls

plate of smashed potatoes and a fork

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

overhead shot of bowl of almond chicken

Almond Chicken

baked riblets

Easy Oven Baked Riblets

No knead bread in a pan

Instant Pot Bread

Tomato tart pieces

Easy Tomato Tart

spoon full of mac and cheese

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Almond Torte

  • Crock Pot
  • Instant Pot
  • Chicken
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers
  • Bread
  • Salad
  • Dessert

Order my Cookbook, Holiday Slow Cooker!

Buy Now!
Back to Top
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Contact
© 2013–2025 Leigh Anne Wilkes Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.