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Leigh Anne Wilkes

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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Course / Dessert / Cookies / Sugar Cookie Icing

Sugar Cookie Icing

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 12/13/18Updated: 3/25/22

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

The best sugar cookie icing 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!  And this frosting tastes as good as it looks!

I began making sugar cookies when I was about 12 and I was designated the official family sugar cookie maker.  This recipe for sugar cookie frosting is the one I’ve been using since I first started making decorated sugar cookies.  Nothing beats a delicious buttercream frosting. 

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. Make sure your sugar is fresh and doesn’t have a bunch of lumps. If it is lumpy but 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, peppermint, orange, lemon etc.
  • Food Coloring. Optional. Divide frosting into smaller bowls to make multiple colors.
frosted Christmas Cookies

How to make sugar cookie Icing

  • Cream the butter well before adding in sugar.
  • Add 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 a nice spreading consistency.
  • Use on cooled cookies.
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.

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 is more pipeable 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.

4.72 from 14 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
Cook:0 minutes
0 minutes
Total:10 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
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Decorated Sugar Cookies
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Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

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  1. Lauren says

    Posted on 1/3 at 5:28 pm

    Best sugar cookie frosting! I have tried several online and nothing quite takes the cake as this one.Thank you:)

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 1/3 at 7:39 pm

      So glad you love it too!

      Reply
  2. Wendy Mikulicic says

    Posted on 12/19 at 11:10 am

    Question: Does the frosting stay soft…..or will it get hard enough to transport?

    Reply
    • Therese says

      Posted on 12/19 at 1:35 pm

      wondering the same thing?

      Reply

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