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· 4.4 from 5 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a truly delicious, melt-in-your-mouth treat, I’ve got just the thing for you: a Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe that’s easy to make and absolutely scrumptious. Believe me, these cookies have been my go-to whenever I want something sweet and soft, with just the right amount of buttery flavor and that delightful frosting on top. Stick around, and I promise you’ll be rolling dough and frosting cookies like a pro in no time!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Soft Texture: The combination of cornstarch and baking powder gives these cookies a beautifully tender crumb.
Rich Frosting: Creamy, fluffy frosting that spreads easily and adds just the right amount of sweetness.
Easy to Customize: From extracts to food coloring and sprinkles, you can make these cookies your own every time.
Reliable and Consistent: The step-by-step method ensures your cookies turn out fabulous, even if you’re a beginner.

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies, soft sugar cookies, easy sugar cookie recipe, frosting sugar cookies, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies - 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

The magic of this Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe lies in the harmony of its ingredients — each one plays a role in delivering softness, flavor, and that tender crumb we all crave. Here’s a quick rundown to help you shop smart and understand why I love each of these staples.

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Unsalted butter: Softened butter provides richness without overpowering saltiness, letting the vanilla and almond extracts shine.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that slight crisp edge on the outside.
Powdered sugar: Contributes to softness and a delicate crumb texture.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture for softness.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies tender by adding extra moisture.
Vanilla extract: Classic flavor enhancer that brings warmth and depth.
Almond extract: Just a touch adds complexity and a lovely nutty aroma.
All-purpose flour: The structure-builder, but balanced with cornstarch for softness.
Cornstarch: A secret weapon here—it lightens the dough for tender, soft cookies.
Baking powder: Gives the cookies a gentle lift without puffing them up too much.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Milk (for frosting): Adds creaminess to the frosting and makes spreading smooth.
Powdered sugar (for frosting): Creates that signature smooth, sweet frosting that holds its form.
Food coloring (optional): Fun for brightening up your cookies for holidays or parties.
Sprinkles (optional): Because what’s a frosted cookie without a little sparkle?

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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.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe is flexible enough to adapt to whatever flavor mood I’m in. You can’t go wrong with the classic vanilla-almond combo, but don’t be shy about mixing it up or adding your personal flair!

Variation: I sometimes swap almond extract for lemon extract to get a fresh twist, and it’s surprisingly delightful—give it a try if you like a bit of zest.
Dietary modification: For a dairy-free version, replacing butter with coconut oil works well, just expect a slight coconut flavor.
Seasonal changes: Adding a hint of cinnamon or pumpkin spice in autumn gives these cookies a cozy vibe.

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

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars Until Dreamy

This is where the magic starts. I like to use a stand mixer for this step — beat the softened butter with both granulated and powdered sugar on high speed for three full minutes. You want it pale, creamy, and fluffy. Don’t rush this part; it helps give your cookies a light texture and just the right sweetness.

Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients for Flavor and Moisture

Once the butter and sugars look perfect, add the egg, vegetable oil, vanilla, and almond extracts. Beat on medium speed and make sure everything’s really combined. Scrape down the bowl’s sides as you go — this little habit saved me from uneven dough batches more times than I can count.

Step 3: Mix in the Dry Ingredients Gently

Now, add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to your mixer, but keep the speed low. You want to combine everything until just mixed — overmixing can make cookies tough, and we definitely don’t want that here.

Step 4: Shape and Bake Your Cookies

I like using a cookie scoop to get consistent sizes, but a spoon works just fine too. Roll your dough into balls about 3 inches wide, then flatten them gently with the base of a glass. Bake at 350℉ for 8 to 9 minutes—you’re aiming for just a hint of golden edges; the centers should stay soft. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes so they set up, then move them to a rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Whip Up That Fluffy Frosting

Use a wire whisk attachment if you have one, or your hand mixer’s whisk will do. Beat the softened butter until creamy and pale, then add milk, vanilla, salt, and your food coloring if you’re going colorful. Beat in the powdered sugar one cup at a time, turning the speed up towards the end for that perfectly thick, fluffy frosting you’ll love spreading on your cookies.

Step 6: Frost and Celebrate!

Spread the frosting with an offset spatula or butter knife and sprinkle on any decorations you want. This step never fails to make me smile — those vibrant colors and twinkling sprinkles scream celebration!

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Tips from My Kitchen

Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temp butter and egg helps everything blend smoothly and bake evenly.
Don’t Overbake: Cookies look soft when they come out but firm up as they cool—pull them out just as the edges start to color.
Flatten Gently: Press the dough balls down lightly with a glass to keep a uniform shape and thickness.
Prep Ahead: Dough can be made a day ahead and refrigerated for even more flavorful cookies.

How to Serve Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I personally love topping these cookies with classic rainbow sprinkles or edible glitter for a festive look. Sometimes I skip the sprinkles and just add a pinch of coarse sugar for subtle sparkle—it’s all about what mood you’re in. For holidays, colored sugar crystals add a fun flair too.

Side Dishes

Since these cookies are sweet and soft, they pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee—my favorite afternoon treat! A cold glass of milk is a classic duo that never disappoints either. For parties, serve alongside some fresh fruit or light cream cheese dip for contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or gatherings, I like stacking frosted sugar cookies with little parchment rounds between them in a decorative tin or box. Another fun idea is to pipe personalized messages or simple designs with colored frosting—kids love helping with this part! Gift-wise, wrapping them in cellophane bags tied with ribbons makes a thoughtful handmade treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store my leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want them a little firmer, the fridge works fine for up to five days, but I prefer them at room temp to keep that perfect soft texture.

Freezing

Freezing these cookies is a game changer when you want to make a batch in advance. Freeze unfrosted cookies in a single layer inside an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to three months. I usually thaw them at room temperature and add frosting after they’re soft again—this keeps things fresh and luscious.

Reheating

If you want to refresh a cookie that’s been stored, I pop it in the microwave for about 8-10 seconds — it brings back that just-baked softness. Don’t microwave frostings though; instead, let frosted cookies sit at room temperature to soften naturally.

FAQs

Can I use butter substitutes in this Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe?

Yes! You can swap unsalted butter with margarine or coconut oil, but be mindful it might change the flavor and texture slightly. Coconut oil will impart a subtle coconut taste and may make the dough softer to handle.
How do I keep my sugar cookies soft longer?

To keep them soft, store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread or a damp paper towel. The bread helps retain moisture, preventing the cookies from drying out too quickly.
Is it necessary to chill the dough before baking?

This recipe doesn’t require chilling, but if you find your dough too sticky or want thicker cookies, chilling for 30 minutes can help with better handling and shape retention.
Can I decorate these cookies with royal icing instead of the frosting?

Absolutely! While this recipe includes a creamy buttercream-style frosting, royal icing can be a wonderful alternative for creating sharper designs and shapes once the cookies have cooled completely.
How do I make the frosting less sweet?

You can reduce the amount of powdered sugar slightly and add a touch more milk to maintain spreadability, but keep in mind this will affect the consistency and shelf life of the frosting.

Final Thoughts

This Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s the perfect balance of simple ingredients and big, comforting flavor. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a party, or just because, these cookies bring a smile to everyone’s face. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a staple in your cookie jar too — and you’ll be so glad you whipped up a batch!