Easy Sugar Cookie Frosting (Printable Version)
A creamy, sweet frosting that dries beautifully and colors perfectly for cookie decorating.
# What You'll Need:
→ Base Frosting
01 - 2 cups powdered sugar (confectioners sugar), sifted
02 - 2-3 tablespoons milk (whole or 2%)
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
05 - Pinch of salt
→ Optional Add-ins
06 - Food coloring (gel or liquid), as desired
07 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for flavor variation)
# How to Make It:
01 - Beat powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium mixing bowl until mixture is well combined and crumbly.
02 - Pour in milk 1 tablespoon at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Continue until smooth, spreadable consistency forms. Use less milk for piping stiffness or more milk for glazing consistency.
03 - Stir in almond extract and food coloring drops if using. Mix until color and flavor are evenly distributed throughout frosting.
04 - Frost cooled sugar cookies immediately. Let decorated cookies rest at room temperature for 1 hour minimum to allow frosting surface to set completely.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now
- It sets beautifully without becoming rock hard like royal icing
- Perfect for cookie decorating with kids or last minute holiday treats
02 -
- Cookies must be completely cool before frosting or the icing will melt right off
- Start with less milk than you think you need it's easier to add more than to fix thin frosting
- This frosting softens at room temperature so store decorated cookies in a cool place
03 -
- Use a spoon to drop food coloring into your frosting rather than adding it directly from the bottle
- For extra glossy finish let the frosted cookies sit in a very low oven 200F for a few minutes
- Mix up a double batch if you're decorating with kids they'll inevitably want to taste test