Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

Soft, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion. Topped with a creamy frosting and festive sprinkles, they’re as beautiful as they are tasty. These cookies are reminiscent of bakery-style favorites and are so easy to make at home.

When I first made these Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies, they instantly became a family favorite. My husband declared them the best cookies I’d ever baked, and the kids couldn’t get enough of decorating them with colorful sprinkles. Now, they’ve become a tradition for birthdays, holidays, and rainy-day baking sessions. These cookies never fail to bring smiles and sweet memories to our home.

Why You’ll Love Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

•Bakery-Style Perfection: Soft, pillowy cookies topped with a luscious frosting.

•Customizable: Change the frosting color and sprinkles to match any occasion.

•Kid-Friendly: Perfect for little helpers to decorate.

•Make-Ahead Friendly: Stay soft and fresh for days, making them ideal for parties.

Ingredients Notes For Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

•Butter: Use unsalted butter for a creamy, rich flavor.

•Sugar: Granulated sugar for sweetness and a tender crumb.

•Eggs: Add structure and moisture to the cookies.

•Sour Cream: Keeps the cookies soft and adds a subtle tang.

•Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of both the cookies and frosting.

•Flour: All-purpose flour works perfectly for these cookies.

•Frosting: Use butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla for a classic frosting, or add almond extract for a twist.

Recipe Steps

1.Prepare the Dough:

•In a large bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

•Beat in 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.

•Gradually add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix until combined.

2.Chill the Dough:

•Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to make it easier to roll.

3.Shape and Bake:

•Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

•Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes.

•Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set.

•Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

4.Frost and Decorate:

•In a bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy.

•Spread frosting over the cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles.

Storage Options

•Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

•Refrigerator: Keep frosted cookies chilled for up to a week.

•Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months; thaw and frost when ready to serve.

Variations & Substitutions

•Almond Frosting: Swap vanilla extract for almond extract for a nutty twist.

•Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

•Seasonal Decor: Customize with holiday-themed frosting colors and sprinkles.

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

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Course: Dessert, Snack

Kitchen: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 32 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

 

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• ▢ For the Cookies:
• ▢ 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, softened
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1/2 cup sour cream
• ▢ For the Frosting:
• ▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, softened
• ▢ 3 cups powdered sugar
• ▢ 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ Food coloring optional
• ▢ Sprinkles optional

Instructions

• Prepare the Cookies:
• Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and sour cream, mixing until fully combined.
• Combine and Chill: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• Shape and Bake: Roll the chilled dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and slightly flatten them with your hand or the bottom of a glass. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Do not overbake. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Make the Frosting:
• Cream Butter: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, alternating with the cream or milk, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
• Add Flavor and Color: Mix in the vanilla extract. If desired, add food coloring to achieve your preferred shade.
• Frost and Decorate:
• Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe the frosting onto each cookie. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.
• Set the Frosting: Allow the frosting to set for about 30 minutes before serving.