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· 4.6 from 12 reviews

If you’re craving a timeless treat that’s irresistibly tender, look no further than my Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies aren’t just your everyday sugar cookies—they’re soft, buttery, and topped with the creamiest frosting that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a party, or just because, they never fail to bring smiles. Stick with me, and I’ll share all the secrets to making these perfect every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Tender Texture: The combination of cornstarch and baking powder creates those soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies you crave.
Creamy Frosting: Fluffy buttercream frosting balances sweetness perfectly without overpowering the cookie.
Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples that are easy to find, making this recipe super convenient to whip up.
Customizable: You can customize the frosting color and sprinkles to make them perfect for any occasion.

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies, soft sugar cookies recipe, buttery sugar cookies with frosting, beginner-friendly sugar cookies, holiday sugar cookie ideas - 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

Each ingredient in this Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a key role. From the cornstarch that adds softness to the mix of extracts that give a subtle aroma, understanding these helps you nail the cookie’s perfect texture and flavor. Shop for fresh, room-temperature eggs and unsalted butter for the best outcome!

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is crucial for creaming with sugar to create light, airy cookies.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s texture without making it crunchy.
Powdered Sugar: Helps create a silky, tender crumb in the cookie dough.
Egg: Binds everything together and helps keep the cookie soft and moist.
Vegetable Oil: A bit of oil keeps the cookies moist and tender without making them greasy.
Vanilla Extract: Essential for that classic sugar cookie flavor.
Almond Extract: Just a touch adds depth without overwhelming the cookies.
All-Purpose Flour: The base for structure; makes these cookies sturdy enough to hold frosting but still soft.
Cornstarch: My secret weapon for extra-soft cookies with a tender bite.
Baking Powder: Gives a light rise, making cookies soft instead of flat and dense.
Salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Milk: In the frosting, milk helps make it smooth and easy to spread.
Powdered Sugar (for Frosting): Creates a creamy, sweet, and fluffy texture for spreading.
Food Coloring (Optional): Perfect for festive touches or matching cookie colors to a theme.
Sprinkles (Optional): Adds fun texture and visual appeal, especially for celebrations.

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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 flexible this Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve tried different things—sometimes swapping almond extract for lemon or adding a pinch of cinnamon for a warm twist. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this cookie truly your own.

Flavor Swaps: I once swapped almond extract for a hint of lemon zest and it brightened up the cookies beautifully—definitely give that a try if you want something fresh.
Frosting Colors: From classic pink to lavender or even rainbow swirls, pick what suits your mood or event. It’s a fun way to customize without much extra effort.
Dietary Tweaks: For a dairy-free option, I use vegan butter and non-dairy milk in the frosting and the cookies still come out soft and delicious.

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

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars Until Light and Fluffy

Start by beating the softened butter with both granulated and powdered sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture turns pale and creamy. This step is crucial—don’t rush it. The creaming process traps air, giving your cookies that soft, tender texture. I use my stand mixer, but a hand mixer works equally well. If your butter is too cold, it won’t cream properly, so plan ahead to soften it at room temperature.

Step 2: Mix in the Egg, Oil, and Extracts

Next, add the egg, vegetable oil, vanilla, and almond extracts to your butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until everything’s fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to make sure none of that buttery goodness is left behind. The oil helps keep the cookies soft, and the extracts add that lovely, classic sugar cookie flavor with a subtle twist.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Gently Fold In

In a separate bowl or directly into your mixer, add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Pour these dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until just combined—overmixing here can make the dough tough. I always keep the mixer on its lowest setting because you want a soft, tender dough, not dense. Once mixed, your dough is ready to scoop.

Step 4: Scoop, Shape, and Flatten Your Cookies

I love using a cookie scoop to ensure even-sized cookies—that way, they bake evenly. Scoop out dough balls roughly 3 inches wide and flatten gently with the base of a drinking glass (or your palm if you prefer). Just be gentle! Too much pressure can make cookies dense. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure to leave some space between each cookie.

Step 5: Bake Perfectly Soft Cookies

Bake at 350°F for 8–9 minutes until they’re just beginning to color around the edges. Keep a close eye here—the difference between soft and overbaked is seconds. Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step lets them set without drying out.

Step 6: Whip Up the Soft Frosting and Decorate

While the cookies cool, beat your softened butter with a wire whisk attachment until pale and creamy. Add milk, vanilla extract, salt, and your choice of food coloring, then mix on medium speed until blended. Gradually mix in powdered sugar one cup at a time, then beat on high for a minute or so until the frosting is thick and fluffy. Spread it generously over cooled cookies using an offset spatula or butter knife. Add sprinkles for a festive touch if you like.

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Pro Tips for Making Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: It smooths out mixing and creates a better cookie texture overall.
Don’t Overbake: Cookies should look slightly underdone at 8 minutes for that perfect softness.
Chill Dough if Needed: If your dough feels too soft to handle, a quick 15-minute chill in the fridge helps shape perfect rounds.
Mix Frosting Gradually: Adding powdered sugar one cup at a time prevents lumps and keeps frosting smooth and fluffy.

How to Serve Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick with classic rainbow sprinkles or pastel nonpareils—they add just the right pop of color and crunch without stealing the spotlight from the soft cookie and creamy frosting. For holidays, I switch it up with themed sprinkles (think red and green for Christmas or pink hearts for Valentine’s), which always brings a festive cheer to the table.

Side Dishes

These cookies go beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of aromatic tea like chamomile or earl grey. I also love pairing them with fresh berries for a refreshing balance that’s not too sweet. They’re great on their own too—often, I catch myself sneaking one (or three!) right from the cookie jar.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these soft frosted sugar cookies in beautiful tiers on a cake stand, decorated with delicate edible flowers or glittery sugar crystals. Another fun idea is mailing them in cute boxes as gifts for friends and family—nothing says love like soft, frosted cookies arriving in the mail!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your soft frosted sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I find keeping them at room temp maintains their lovely softness. If you need them to last longer, refrigerate them for up to 5 days—but bring them to room temperature before serving so the frosting’s soft and luscious again.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cookies both frosted and unfrosted. For best results, freeze unfrosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze up to 3 months. When ready, thaw completely and frost fresh. If you freeze frosted cookies, wrap them well individually to avoid freezer burn. Just thaw slowly in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

If your cookies have cooled and feel a bit firm, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens them up beautifully without melting the frosting—just watch closely! Alternatively, leaving them at room temperature for a while usually brings back that perfect softness.

FAQs

Can I make the Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still remain soft and tasty.
Why are cornstarch and baking powder important in this recipe?

Cornstarch adds softness and tenderness by reducing gluten formation, while baking powder provides a gentle rise that keeps the cookies light and airy rather than dense.
How do I prevent my frosting from being runny?

Make sure to add the milk gradually and beat the frosting well. If it gets too runny, just add a little more powdered sugar to thicken it up to the consistency you want.
Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer for this recipe?

Yes! A hand mixer works great—just make sure to beat ingredients thoroughly and scrape down the bowl frequently to ensure even mixing.
How do I store decorated sugar cookies for gifting?

Layer the cookies with parchment paper in an airtight container and store at room temperature or in the fridge depending on how long before gifting. You can also freeze them (well wrapped) and thaw gently before packing to keep them fresh.

Final Thoughts

This Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe is one I come back to time and time again whenever I want a cozy kitchen moment or to impress guests with something homemade and heartfelt. There’s something magical about biting into a soft, buttery cookie crowned with fluffy frosting, and I hope you feel the same joy making and sharing these. So, grab your mixing bowl and get baking—you’ll love how easy and fun it is to create your own batch. Trust me, these cookies will become a staple in your recipe box!