This homemade sugar cookie frosting is super smooth & spreadable, making it a perfect pair to your favorite sugar cookie recipe. I prefer to spread it the old fashioned way with a knife, but it also works well for loose piping.
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I've always been a tub frosting type of lazy baker up until recently when I discovered a new love for concocting frostings. They're easy to make, taste way better than canned,
easier to spread, and allow me to make one less trip to the grocery store. Which is always a good thing because at this point, my HyVee should probably just start me a tab. The sad part about how often I frequent the store is that I still never seem to have real food in the house to make a wholesome lunch - but need some sugary baked goodies? Oh, well then I've got ya covered.
Don't feel like frosting individual cookies? Make my Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars in a 9x13 pan instead!
What You Need for Sugar Cookie Frosting
- Butter
- Cream Cheese
- Vanilla Extract & Almond Extract
- Powdered Sugar
- Milk
- Food Coloring, Optional
How to Make Sugar Cookie Frosting
Step 1: Beat Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer (with paddle attachment) for 2-3 minutes (until creamy).
Step 2: Add Remaining Ingredients
Keeping the mixer on medium speed, slowly add in vanilla, almond extract, and powdered sugar. Add milk, turn mixer to high speed and continue mixing for 2 minutes. If frosting is thicker than you would like, add an extra 1 teaspoon of milk at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Step 3: Add Food Coloring, if desired
If desired, add a few drops of food coloring for a colored variation! Achieve the perfect shade of light pink by following my guide on How to Make Light Pink Frosting.
Consistency & Texture
This homemade sugar cookie frosting is super smooth & spreadable, making it a perfect pair to your favorite sugar cookie recipe. I prefer to spread it the old fashioned way with a knife, but if you're looking for a more pipeable icing, check out my sugar cookie buttercream frosting.
If you're looking for a more fluid, glaze type icing to meticulously frost cookies, then instead check out my easy sugar cookie icing. But if you're looking for a no-fuss frosting that you can quickly slather on, then this is the one! Cream cheese and real butter make this a quick and easy sugar cookie frosting for your favorite cookies!
Don't feel like frosting individual cookies? Make my Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars in a 9x13 pan instead!
Homemade Sugar Cookie Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup 1 stick butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 oz. cream cheese softened to room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 4 teaspoons milk
- Optional: Drop of Pink Food Coloring
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter (½ cup, i.e., 1 stick) and cream cheese (4 ounces) on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer (with paddle attachment) for 2-3 minutes (until creamy).
- Keeping the mixer on medium speed, slowly add in vanilla extract (½ teaspoon), almond extract (½ teaspoon), and powdered sugar (3 cups). Add milk (4 teaspoons), turn the mixer to high speed, and continue mixing for 2 minutes. If frosting is thicker than you would like, add an extra 1 teaspoon of milk at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- If desired, add a few drops of food coloring for a colored variation!
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Notes
Nutrition
My Favorite Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe
Easy Sugar Cookie Icing (more of a glaze)
Easy Royal Icing Recipe
(for more intricate piping, will completely harden)
Easy Royal Icing Recipe
I made the frosting but I forgot the cream cheese. I’ll be OK right?
If the consistency is thick enough, it will be fine!
Love this f osting. Very delicious.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Greg!
I need it to harden! Does it?
It does develop a nice crust but it won't get rock hard. If you need it to, royal icing is your best option!
Does the frosting harden
It will develop a nice crust so that you can stack simple designs but it won't be rock solid like a traditional royal icing!
Exactly what I was looking for... PERFECT!!
So glad to hear you loved it, Jennifer! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
We love this recipe for our sugar cookies. Excellent consistency for spreading and piping and it tastes delicious!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Reita! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
So excited to try both the cookie and frosting recipes. Do you use unsalted butter? Thanks!
Hi Melony! Yes, I use unsalted butter for both!
This turned out perfect for our Valentine's cookies. Thanks!
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it!
Looking forward to making this frosting! How does it store when refrigerated? Can I make ahead and then use immediately? Or will it need time to soften?
Hi Jen! It should be fine in the fridge for a few days if you want to make ahead. Since it contains butter, you will need to give it some time to soften up to room temperature to help it spread. Hope that helps!
Sounds yummy! Does this frosting Harden so you so you can stack the cookies when storing?
I recommend popping them into the fridge for a bit to let the frosting set and then layer them in between sheets of wax paper when storing!
Ahhh you're too sweet! Thank you so much. So glad you loved the sugar cookies & frosting...one of my favorite recipes ever!