Description
These Best Frosted Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and buttery with a delightful cream cheese frosting. Perfectly chilled dough ensures minimal spreading resulting in thick, soft cookies that are beautifully decorated with colorful frosting and sprinkles for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 large Egg Yolk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 2 3/4 cups Flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
Frosting
- 1/2 cup Butter (softened)
- 1 (8-ounce) package Cream Cheese (softened)
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste
- 1/4 teaspoon Almond Extract (optional)
- Gel Food Coloring and Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together for 4 minutes until the mixture is light in color, fluffy, and smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to blend evenly.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Chill Dough: Cover or wrap the dough and refrigerate for about 1 hour to firm the butter, reduce spreading, and enhance flavor.
- Shape Cookies: Lightly flour a work surface and roll dough to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Use floured cookie cutters to cut shapes and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. If dough warms, chill cut cookies 10 minutes before baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes until edges are set, centers remain slightly soft, and bottoms are barely golden.
- Cool Cookies: Avoid overbaking to keep cookies tender. Let cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Cream together softened butter and cream cheese for 3 minutes until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, scraping bowl sides as needed. Add almond extract and food coloring if desired.
- Frost Cookies: Once cookies are fully cooled, spread frosting with an offset spatula in soft swirling motions. Decorate with colored frosting or festive sprinkles as desired.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is key to thick, soft cookies that don’t spread too much.
- Avoid overmixing dough to prevent tough cookies.
- Do not overbake; slightly underbaked centers keep cookies tender.
- For best frosting consistency, soften butter and cream cheese before mixing.
- Gel food coloring provides vibrant hues without thinning the frosting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
