Sugar Cookie Frosting

By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 12/13/22Updated: 7/04/25

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Tips from Leigh Anne

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
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.

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:

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