Description
These Best Frosted Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and packed with sweet vanilla flavor. Perfectly baked with a slight chew, these cookies feature a creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting that can be easily tinted with gel food coloring. Ideal for holidays, celebrations, or any time you want a classic, delicious sugar cookie topped with luscious frosting and festive sprinkles.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 large Egg Yolk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 2 3/4 cups Flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
Frosting
- 1/2 cup Butter (softened)
- 1 (8-ounce) package Cream Cheese (softened)
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste
- 1/4 teaspoon Almond Extract (optional)
- Gel Food Coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Beat Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together for a full 4 minutes until the mixture becomes light in color, fluffy in texture, and smooth, setting the base for tender cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and egg yolk along with the vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even blending.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, mixing just until a soft dough forms to avoid overmixing which would make the cookies tough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover or wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour. Chilling firms the butter to reduce cookie spreading and enhances flavor and texture.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour a work surface and roll the chilled dough to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness for soft cookies. Dip cookie cutters in flour and cut into shapes. Transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet. If the dough warms too much, chill cut cookies for another 10 minutes.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are set, centers look slightly soft and pale, and bottoms are just barely golden.
- Cool Cookies: Avoid overbaking to keep cookies tender. Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Make Frosting: Cream together softened butter and cream cheese for 3 minutes until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla (and almond extract if using), scraping down bowl sides. Add gel food coloring if desired and mix until evenly colored.
- Frost Cookies: Once cookies have fully cooled, spread frosting evenly using an offset spatula with soft swirling motions. Decorate with colored frosting accents or festive sprinkles as desired for a beautiful finish.
Notes
- Do not overmix the cookie dough once flour is added to prevent tough cookies.
- Chilling the dough is essential for thicker, softer cookies that don’t spread too much when baked.
- Baking time may vary slightly depending on oven; watch cookies closely to avoid overbaking.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant frosting without altering consistency.
- Cookies must be completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
