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Best Ever Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting

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Donna Urso

Do you want to impress your friends and family with beautifully decorated sugar cookies? Look no further! In this step-by-step guide, I will show you how to decorate sugar cookies with delicious buttercream frosting. From mixing the perfect frosting to piping intricate designs, you'll find everything you need to know to create stunning and tasty treats. 

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced baker, these easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips will help you master the art of cookie decorating in no time. 

If you are looking for the best sugar cookie recipe you will love this recipe. It makes delicious, cake-like sugar cookies that are sweet, but not too sweet. Add delicious buttercream frosting and these cookies will be your all-time favorites. So, let's get started and take your sugar cookies to the next level!

How to Decorate Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting

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Buttercream frosted sugar cookies are perfect any time of year.

These sugar cookies have a tender, cake-like texture that pairs perfectly with a buttercream frosting. They are a nice copycat alternative to those famous buttercream-topped sugar cookies sold by Cheryl's Cookies.  

Perfectly tender sugar cookies with melt in your mouth buttercream frosting

You'll love that you don't need to be fussy with your decorating to make these cookies attractive and perfect for any occasion or holiday.  

Reasons You'll Love This Sugar Cookie Recipe

These sugar cookies are perfect for every occasion.  If you are looking for a copycat of Cheryl's Cookie recipe you'll want to try these.  In my opinion, these cookies are better, and that's why I call them the Best Ever Sugar Cookies.

This is an easy recipe with simple ingredients. All you need to make these Best Ever Sugar Cookies is this great sugar cookie recipe and a few simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry.  

The buttercream frosting is delicious.  It sets up quickly and holds up well if you want to freeze your cookies.

Kids will have fun making these cookies. This is a perfect recipe to make with your children or grandchildren.  Everyone can have some fun decorating these sugar cookies.

They have a flat surface perfect for decorating. You can get fancy or keep it simple. While I prefer buttercream frosting for my cookies, royal icing makes a festive cookie decoration, too.

Watch the Sugar Cookies Video Tutorial


Tips for Baking The Best Sugar Cookies

- Do not overmix the dough as it can cause the cookies to become tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading during baking.
- Roll the dough to an even thickness for even baking.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Sugar Cookies

How do I make sure my sugar cookies aren't too hard?
Cream your butter and sugar really well.  When adding your dry ingredients don't overwork the dough.  Stir to combine completely and move on.

Do I have to chill these sugar cookies?
Yes.  Chilling this dough makes it easier to roll and cut into your favorite shapes. Chilling the dough for too long makes the dough unworkable.

How thick should I make my sugar cookies?
1/4-inch cookies are perfect. They will be soft, tender, and strong enough to hold the frosting.

How do I know when my sugar cookies are done?
The baked sugar cookies.
The Baked Sugar Cookies
These sugar cookies should be golden but not browned. Remember, the size of your cookie will impact the cooking time.  The size and shape of the cookie cutter you use will change your cooking time.

A light golden botom on your sugar cookie is perfect.
Don't Brown the Bottom of the Cookies

How to Frost Sugar Cookies with Buttercream

Tips for Making Perfect Buttercream Frosting

- Use room-temperature butter for easy mixing.
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar to prevent lumps.
- Beat the frosting for at least 2-3 minutes for a light and fluffy texture.
- Add food coloring sparingly to prevent the frosting from becoming too thin.
- Adjust the consistency with milk or powdered sugar to achieve the desired thickness.

Video Tips for Making the Buttercream Frosting

Tips for Frosting Your Sugar Cookies

Use separate bowls for each color of frosting you will be using for decorating your cookies. Be careful when adding your coloring.  A little goes a very long way.

Buttercream frosting is easily tinted with food coloring.
Three Frosting Colors
Set up an assembly line.  First, put dollops of frosting on the cookies and then spread the frosting using an offset spatula.

Frosted sugar cookies with buttercream
The Frosted Cookies

 Add a few colorful sprinkles on each to gild the lilies. Set a paper towel under the cookies to capture wayward sprinkles.

Sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles on your sugar cookies.
Add Some Colorful Sprinkles

Tips for Storing and Serving Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting

Once you've finished decorating your sugar cookies, it's time to store and serve them. Here's how:

- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- If stacking the cookies, place a piece of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking.
- Serve the cookies at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
- For an extra special touch, wrap the cookies in cellophane and tie them with a ribbon for gift-giving.

Frequently Asked Questions About Frosting Sugar Cookies with Buttercream

Does buttercream harden on cookies? Your buttercream will firm up nicely after a few hours.  It starts to harden right away so add your sprinkles as you frost each cookie. 

Can the cookies be frosted ahead? These cookies will freeze nicely. Just be sure to let the frosting set before packaging for gift-giving or freezing.

Can you freeze frosted sugar cookies? Yes. Place your cookies in the freezer on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Freeze until hard and then stack and package for longer-term storage.
sugar cookies, Christmas cookies, Valentine's Day Cookies
dessert
American
Yield: 30, 2-1/2 inch cookies
Author: Donna Urso
Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting

Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 8 MinInactive time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 23 M
Tender, cake-like cookies perfectly paired with delicious buttercream frosting.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough
The Buttercream Frosting

Instructions

To make the cookies
  1. In a large bowl, mix the butter, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of your electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  2. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until well blended. Divide the dough into two equal parts.
  4. Form each into a disk and wrap it with plastic wrap. Chill the dough for two hours.
  5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
  6. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
  7. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  8. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven. The size of your cookies may impact your cooking time, so be sure to check frequently.
  9. The cookies should be golden but not browned.
  10. Remove cookies from the pan and cool completely before frosting.
To Make the Buttercream Frosting:
  1. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy.
  2. Add the confectioners’ sugar alternately with the milk, about one-third in each addition. You may not need to add all the milk to get the spreading consistency you need.
  3. Add the vanilla extract and continue beating until light and fluffy.
  4. Go ahead and lick the beaters. Just a taste is OK!

Nutrition Facts

Calories

218.21

Fat (grams)

10.28

Sat. Fat (grams)

6.13

Carbs (grams)

29.75

Fiber (grams)

0.39

Net carbs

29.36

Sugar (grams)

18.83

Protein (grams)

2.17

Sodium (milligrams)

76.54

Cholesterol (grams)

40.79

Nutritional information is approximate.

Similar Recipes

Crunchy, Spicy Gingersnap Cookies

Traditional New England Whoopie Pies

Mexican Wedding Cookies

https://www.justonedonna.com/2020/01/best-sugar-cookies-with-buttercream-frosting.html
© Just One Donna
Make some today and put them in your freezer for later.  You'll be happy you did!
Enjoy!

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 11, 2022 at 12:59 AM

    Thanks for this recipe! I made these cookies today, following the recipe exactly. I believe the milk in the frosting should be decreased from 1/3 to 1/4 cup, especially if people are going to be adding liquid/ gel coloring. My frosting ended up being too thin. I'd also suggest adding about 1/2 tsp salt to the frosting. The original Cheryl's cookies taste much saltier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna UrsoNovember 11, 2022 at 6:42 AM

      Thanks for your comment. It highlights the importance of paying close attention to the recipe directions and watching the video(s). The recipe specifically states that you may not use all of the milk. The amount of milk fluctuates greatly depending on humidity, and the amount of moisture already in the butter you use. When you watch the video I show you the consistency you want in the frosting to know how much milk you need. Salt is also a very personal component of recipes. I prefer the recipe as written but I encourage customization of my recipes to suit you tastes.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousDecember 18, 2022 at 5:00 AM

    I am so excited to try this recipe. Wondering how long they keep. Would love to take some to family this week. Thank you! -Molly

    ReplyDelete
  3. Donna UrsoDecember 18, 2022 at 5:32 AM

    Hi Molly. I hope you like them as much as I do. I recommend you freeze your cookies to maintain optimal flavor and freshness. That's what I do when I plan to serve them any more than a couple of days out. I have some in my freezer right now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM

    I recently noticed the low rating on these cookies … and I have no idea why! This is THE BEST sugar cookie recipe. The only one my mom and I use.

    Thank you for crafting it for us so we can do the easy work of baking and eating!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna UrsoFebruary 17, 2025 at 6:30 AM

      Thanks for saying you love these cookies. I agree, they are the BEST!

      Delete

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