Name: Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 59 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter softened; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup powdered sugar; 1 egg room temperature; 1 Tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ¼ tsp almond extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 Tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; ½ cup unsalted butter softened; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 Tbsp milk; ½ tsp salt; pink or red food coloring optional; 3 cups powdered sugar; Sprinkles optional

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 9 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate cookie that melts in your mouth and satisfies your sweet tooth, this Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe is the answer. I’ve been making these for years, and they never fail to bring smiles – soft, tender cookies topped with creamy, luscious frosting that you can customize any way you like. Stick with me, and I’ll share all the tips and tricks to help you bake these just right, every single time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Softness: The combination of cornstarch and baking powder keeps these cookies tender without spreading too much.
Creamy Frosting: Using softened butter and beating the frosting until fluffy gives a light, spreadable texture that’s not too sweet.
Balanced Flavor: A splash of almond extract alongside vanilla adds a lovely, subtle depth that keeps the flavor interesting.
Customizable and Fun: You can easily change the frosting color or add sprinkles to match any occasion.

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies, soft sugar cookies with frosting, easy sugar cookie recipe, homemade frosted sugar cookies, tender sugar cookies with frosting - The image shows a white plate holding nine round cookies, each topped with a thick layer of bright pink frosting. The cookies have a light golden-brown color and slightly rough texture. The frosting is creamy with a smooth, slightly uneven spread on each cookie, sprinkled with colorful rainbow sprinkles in reds, whites, blues, yellows, and greens. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with some sprinkles scattered around the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating those soft, tender cookies paired with that luscious frosting. Quality ingredients and a few smart choices make baking these a breeze and totally foolproof.

Unsalted butter: Softened butter keeps the dough workable and adds richness without extra salt messing with the balance.
Granulated sugar: Gives just the right crunch and sweetness.
Powdered sugar (in dough and frosting): Adds tenderness to the dough and smoothness to the frosting.
Egg: Binds everything together and helps with moisture.
Vegetable oil: Adds extra softness without greasiness.
Vanilla extract: Classic flavor base for cookies and frosting alike.
Almond extract: A little goes a long way to deepen the flavor without overpowering.
All-purpose flour: The foundation that forms the cookie structure.
Cornstarch: Key secret for that melt-in-your-mouth softness.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise gently for a tender crumb.
Salt: Balances all the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Milk (in frosting): Adds creaminess and helps achieve the right consistency.
Food coloring (optional): For fun, colorful frosting to brighten up any occasion.
Sprinkles (optional): Adds a festive touch and texture.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how this Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe is a solid base for experimenting. Whether you want to dial up the almond flavor for a different twist or swap out the frosting color depending on the season, it’s super flexible. You can also tweak sweetness or textures — and trust me, it’ll still turn out fantastic.

Variation: I once swapped almond extract for a bit of lemon zest and it gave the cookies a fresh, bright kick that surprised my guests in the best way.
Dietary Modification: You can replace the vegetable oil with coconut oil for a slight tropical note or use a dairy-free butter substitute to make these vegan-friendly.
Seasonal Change: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in fall to bring cozy vibes to these cookies.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars

Start off by making sure your butter is nicely softened—room temp is key here! Toss it in your mixer bowl with granulated sugar and powdered sugar, then beat it on high for about 3 minutes until it’s pale, fluffy, and creamy. This is where the magic begins—properly creamed butter and sugar create that light texture we want, so don’t rush it. I usually stop to scrape down the sides once or twice to keep everything even.

Step 2: Adding the Wet Ingredients

Once your butter and sugars are perfectly creamed, add the egg, vegetable oil, vanilla, and almond extracts. Beat on medium, mixing well but not overdoing it. The dough should start coming together smoothly now. I find stopping to scrape the bowl helps fully incorporate everything, especially the almond extract, so the flavor shines through consistently.

Step 3: Mixing in Dry Ingredients

Now toss in your all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Use your mixer on low speed to combine just until everything’s mixed in—overmixing here can toughen your cookies. The dough will feel soft and a little sticky. If it seems too loose, chilling for 10 minutes can help but usually isn’t necessary.

Step 4: Shaping the Cookies

I like using a cookie scoop to portion out the dough—this keeps all cookies uniform in size, which means even baking. Roll dough balls about 3 inches wide and flatten them gently with the bottom of a glass or your palm so they’re roughly half an inch thick. This step helps them bake evenly and develop that classic soft sugar cookie texture.

Step 5: Baking and Cooling

Bake at 350°F for 8 to 9 minutes, keeping a close eye so they don’t brown too much. They’re done when the edges look set but the centers still feel soft. Let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling is key before frosting, or else your frosting will melt and slide off.

Step 6: Making the Frosting

While your cookies cool, it’s frosting time! Beat your softened butter with the whisk attachment until it’s pale and fluffy, then add milk, vanilla, salt, and any food coloring if you’re using it. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, on low speed until combined, then whip on high for about a minute until thick and fluffy. This frosting spreads like a dream and tastes perfectly balanced—rich but not overly sweet.

Step 7: Frosting and Decorating

Use an offset spatula or butter knife to spread the frosting on your cooled cookies generously. Don’t be shy here—it makes all the difference. Sprinkles are optional but add a joyful, festive flair, especially if you’re making these for holidays or celebrations. Trust me, it turns simple cookies into something extra special.

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Pro Tips for Making Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Don’t Overbake: Even a minute too long can dry out these cookies, so pull them as soon as edges are set and just starting to color.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything mix together effortlessly, giving you a smooth dough and fluffy frosting.
Flatten Dough Gently: Press the dough balls down lightly but evenly to encourage proper spreading without losing softness.
Chill if Needed: If your dough feels too sticky to handle, pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes—it makes shaping a breeze.

How to Serve Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

When I frost these, I usually keep it simple with pastel-colored sprinkles or small edible pearls for a little sparkle. For holidays, themed sprinkles or a drizzle of colored icing gives a perfect finishing touch. Fresh edible flowers can also give them a charming vibe if you’re serving at a tea party or shower.

Side Dishes

These cookies go effortlessly with a warm cup of tea or your favorite coffee blend. I’ve also enjoyed pairing them with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream during summer gatherings—it’s a sweet little celebration on a plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays, I love stacking these soft frosted sugar cookies on a pretty plate layered with parchment—adding colorful ribbons and small fairy lights around creates a whimsical display. You can also shingle them in a cookie box as a homemade gift with a handwritten note; trust me, everyone loves receiving these!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Post-party, I store any remaining cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps them soft for up to three days. If it’s warmer where you live, I pop them in the fridge wrapped well to last about five days. Just make sure they’re completely cooled and the frosting has set before sealing, or things get messy.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen these cookies both plain and frosted. For frostings, I flash freeze them on a tray first so the frosting hardens, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. They keep up to three months this way. When you want a treat, thaw at room temperature for a few hours—no need for the microwave, which can melt the frosting.

Reheating

If you want to freshen up your leftovers, I like to pop them in the oven at 300°F for just 5 minutes—this revives the softness without melting the frosting. Microwave heating can be tricky since it often softens frosting too much, so I usually avoid it.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can, but be sure to reduce or skip additional salt to avoid over-salting. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the flavor balance in your Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe.
How do I keep my sugar cookies soft?

The key is not overbaking and including cornstarch in the mix, which helps retain moisture. Also, storing them in an airtight container once cooled preserves their softness nicely.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the frosting a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature and re-whip before spreading on the cookies to restore its fluffiness.
What’s the best way to decorate these cookies for kids?

Keep it fun and easy with colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or even let the kids spread the frosting themselves—it’s a great activity and makes the cookies extra special!

Final Thoughts

To me, this Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe isn’t just about a sweet treat; it’s about creating warm moments with friends and family over something homemade and heartfelt. The gentle crumble of the cookie paired with the smooth frosting is pure comfort. Give this recipe a try—you’re going to love how simple it is and how often you’ll want to bake it again and again. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become your go-to cookie for every special occasion.