Buttercream Sugar Cookie Frosting is the finishing touch that turns a simple sugar cookie into something everyone reaches for first. It's rich, creamy, easy to make with pantry staples, and spreads like a dream.
Whether you're decorating Christmas cookies, birthday treats, or baking just because, this frosting pipes beautifully, holds its shape, and dries enough to stack once it's set. One batch frosts about three dozen cookies, making it a great recipe to reach for all year long!
Why you'll love this buttercream sugar cookie frosting
This frosting is the kind that has people sneaking "just one more" cookie. It's silky smooth, sweet without being overwhelming, and has a buttery vanilla flavor with a hint of almond that makes sugar cookies taste like they came straight from a neighborhood bakery.
Buttercream Sugar Cookie Frosting
Equipment
- 1 Stand Mixer
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract optional, but wonderful on sugar cookies
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in the milk, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and salt.
- Beat for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- If the frosting is too thick, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time. If it's too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Tint with food coloring as desired and frost completely cooled cookies.
- Yield: Frosts about 3 dozen sugar cookies.
Notes
- For piping details, make the frosting slightly thicker.
- For spreading with a knife, add an extra teaspoon or two of milk.
- Add holiday sprinkles immediately after frosting so they stick well.
- Store frosted cookies in a single layer until the frosting sets, then stack with wax paper between layers.
Nutrition
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Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements for this recipe.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
This buttercream frosting forms a light crust as it sets, making it easier to stack cookies with wax paper between the layers. It stays soft and creamy underneath, giving you the classic buttercream texture in every bite.
Yes! Store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Let it come to room temperature, then beat it for a minute or two before using to restore its fluffy texture.
Yes. Gel food coloring works especially well because it creates vibrant colors without thinning the frosting. Add a little at a time until you reach your desired shade.
For piping, add a little more powdered sugar until the frosting holds its shape. For spreading with a knife or offset spatula, mix in milk one teaspoon at a time until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Yes! This buttercream is just as delicious on cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and bars as it is on sugar cookies. It's an easy, all-purpose frosting to keep in your recipe collection.
Deb's top tips
Beat the frosting for the full 2 to 3 minutes after all of the ingredients are combined. It's tempting to stop as soon as everything is mixed, but those extra minutes make a big difference. The frosting becomes lighter, fluffier, and much easier to spread or pipe, giving your cookies a smooth, bakery-style finish.
Test kitchen notes
I tested this frosting both with and without the almond extract. While it's delicious either way, that tiny splash of almond gives sugar cookies that classic bakery flavor everyone recognizes.
If you're frosting chocolate or funfetti cookies, I usually skip it and let the vanilla shine.
Related recipes
Nothing Bundt Cake Cream Cheese Frosting. If you love a tangy, rich frosting, this copycat cream cheese frosting is a delicious choice for bundt cakes, cupcakes, and Cut Out Sugar Cookies. Skip the cookie cutters and spread this buttercream over thick, chewy sugar cookie bars for an easy dessert everyone will love.
Cake Mix Snickerdoodle Cookies - Soft, chewy, and coated in cinnamon sugar, these cookies are delicious as-is or topped with a swirl of buttercream for a fun variation.
A sweet finishing touch
Whether you're baking Christmas cookies, birthday treats, or an afternoon batch just because, this Buttercream Sugar Cookie Frosting is an easy recipe you'll reach for again and again. It's smooth, creamy, simple to customize with your favorite colors and sprinkles, and made with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Mix up a batch, grab your favorite cookies, and have fun decorating. Don't forget to leave a comment and let me know how you made it your own!
Shelia Hall says
I use this recipe for my Easter cookies too!
Debra Clark says
Yes, absolutely! Glad you're enjoying the recipe Shelia!!!
Terry says
Sounds like the perfect frosting to me! I love that it can be refrigerated, and that you supplied variations for both spreading, and piping. That puts it squarely in the win-win category!
Thanks, Deb. 🌹
Debra Clark says
YAY!! Glad I checked all the boxes Terry - happy decorating!
Tracy Conard says
I have a similar recipe to this one. Reading yours, it’s easy to see how it improves on the one I have. This one will go into my baking binder! And I may just whip some up to spread on granham crackers and just indulge!
Debra Clark says
Oh my gosh, how could I forget graham crackers and frosting??!!! That was a staple when I was a kid. Love that treat! Thanks Tracy!
Sherry Eberle says
Buttercream is so versatile! You can make vanilla, chocolate and whatever extracts you want!! I will be making sugar cookies with a 2 year and 3 year old grandson’s this fall and winter and will definitely use this!!
Debra Clark says
That sounds like so much fun! I hope you and your grandsons have a wonderful time decorating cookies together. I think they'll have a blast with this frosting!
Debbie Parker says
What an awesome sounding and easy to make recipe! Good for anything that needs frosting. And can be refrigerated. Cant wait to try it!
Debra Clark says
Thank you so much! I love that it's so versatile too. I hope you find yourself reaching for this frosting again and again. I'd love to hear what you use it on first! 😊
MaryB says
I love the addition of almond extract. The frosting is so full of flavor and just the right consistency. So easy, too. Thanks for a great recipe.
Debra Clark says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I agree, that little touch of almond extract adds so much flavor. Thanks for taking the time to let me know, it really made me smile!
Jean Morgan says
I'm sad to say I don't do cookie cutouts
The closest I get is a round cookie using a cutter. I did read this frosting can be used on cakes and cupcakes. Now them I do. Have to give it a try cause it sure sounds good!
Debra Clark says
No worries at all! This frosting is just as delicious on cakes, cupcakes, or even simple drop cookies. If you give it a try, I'd love to hear what you think! Thanks Jean!!
Karen E says
Another excellent recipe! I have been using this one for many many years. It holds up great and so easy to use on the cookies. Every Christmas I am tasked with making hundreds of frosted cut outs for my family. My Dad was always asking for a couple of dozen each year....He has since passed but I will always frost an extra plate for him and sit quietly and eat them in memory of him.
Debra Clark says
What a beautiful tradition. ❤️ Thank you for sharing that with me. I can just picture your dad looking forward to those cookies every Christmas. Keeping that extra plate in his memory is such a touching way to honor him. Wishing you many more sweet holiday memories with your family.
Sue says
First of all, it looks great in the photos and I like the fact that is holds up at room temperature so you can stack the cookies on a tray without them sticking together as you mentioned that this frosting makes enough for 3 dozen cookies. Can you omit the almond extract and just use the vanilla extract?
Debra Clark says
Absolutely Sue, the almond extract is totally option. Enjoy!
Carol says
What is a Christmas Sugar Cookie without delicious buttercream frosting. My grandkids help me frost the sugar cookies and we have a ball. I think most of the frosting ends up on their fingers which they enjoy licking off.
Debra Clark says
That sounds like such a fun Christmas tradition! I think frosting-covered fingers are just part of the experience, and probably the grandkids' favorite part! Thanks for sharing such a sweet memory Carol! 😊
Lois says
This is a wonderful great tasting frosting that is easy to use in many different ways and makes everything you bake easy to decorate with. Makes what you do special and all you. So many ways to use it.
Debra Clark says
Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying it. I love how versatile this frosting is too. It makes decorating so much fun, and it's easy to customize for any occasion.