Name: Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/3 cup butter (softened); 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup milk; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp almond extract; food coloring

This homemade Sugar Cookie Frosting is better than all the rest! With a hint of almond extract, this creamy frosting is the perfect compliment for any sugar cookie recipe.

This deliciousness will become your go to frosting. It pairs perfectly with our recipes for The Best Sugar Cookies or Sugar Cookie Bars.

Best Sugar Cookie Frosting

There is nothing better than a deliciously frosted sugar cookie. Whether you are like me and pile it on, or like my hubby and apply a thin coat, there needs to be frosting! And let’s be honest…the frosting really does make or break it.

This is a frosting we have been using for years. It has a little something something extra in it that just really sets it a part: almond extract! This little bit of bonus flavor really makes a huge difference. A flavor punch if you will.

This frosting is PERFECT for sugar cookies, but you best believe it can be used with all the things! Dip in some graham crackers, top a cake, or try it anywhere you would apply a buttercream frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting Vs Buttercream Frosting

Some like cream cheese frosting, and one of our favorite’s is the one we use on our Carrot Cake recipe. Because there is cream cheese in the cookie recipe, we like this classic sugar cookie frosting, which includes:

butter
powdered sugar
milk
vanilla
almond extract
food coloring (optional)

To make the frosting, mix all the ingredients with a hand mixer. Add more milk until it’s the consistency you desire most. You can also add food coloring if you want to. Top it with some delicious jimmy sprinkles, and you’re set!!

Additional Tips + Tricks

Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter depending on the flavor you like. I would suggest using a good quality high fat butter as it will result in the creamiest frosting.

Be sure your butter has been softened beforehand. It should give in a little when pressed with a finger, but not so soft that your finger can slice through it. If your butter is too soft, it will yield a greasy less fluffy frosting.

Switch it up: Not only can you easily change this frosting up with food coloring, but you can use other flavor extracts instead of vanilla and almond. For example Mint extract with green food coloring or Strawberry extract with red food coloring would both be fun and easy to create.

Piping: You can simply spread the frosting onto the cookie with a butter knife, or you can break out those piping tips and get creative. Be sure that you make a sturdier frosting so that after it has been piped it will keep its shape.

Add 1-2 tbsp powdered sugar at a time to make it thicker.
Add 1-2 tsp milk at a time if it becomes too thick.
You can also try adding 1-2 tsp of cornstarch for stability.
Use ½ the amount of butter and replace it with ½ the amount of shortening. This will help the frosting “crust” to hold its shape and be stackable.

Storage: Store the buttercream frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to bring the frosting to room temperature before using it to spread. Also, you can revive the texture a bit by whipping it up with a hand mixer. Once you have frosted the cookies you can store them, covered, at room temperature for 2-3 days.

More Frosting Flavors can be found in these posts: