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These soft sugar cookies with icing just look like a party waiting to happen. Whenever I make decorated sugar cookies, my kids instantly know that something fun is going on. They come out soft, chewy, and that frosting with the sprinkles on top really is pure bliss every single time.

Best sugar cookie recipe with Icing

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe with Icing

Prepare to be mobbed. When you make these simple sugar cookie recipe with frosting, anyone that tastes them will beg and plead for the recipe. These are what parties taste like. Potlucks beg for cookies like these.

Sugar cookie icing ingredients

Ingredients for Sugar Cookies

  • Sugar – I mean, it’s in the name!
  • Flour – all purpose is the most common for sugar cookies.
  • Vanilla extract – The hallmark of a splendid sugar cookie!
  • Butter – This recipe calls for unsalted butter since salt is added in a much smaller measurement in the dry ingredients.
  • Egg – All it takes is one large egg to help bind the dry ingredients together.

Ingredients for Icing

  • Confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar) – To make the best icing for sugar cookies, you’ll need to sift your powdered sugar first for this sugar cookie frosting recipe.
  • Light corn syrup – A must for getting the icing texture perfect.
  • Vanilla extract – For a nice touch of sweetness!

Easy sugar cookie recipe with icing

Easy Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe

One of the best things about these chewy sugar cookies is how easy they are to make. Don’t worry about making them look perfect. These are supposed to look like homemade circles of frosted love. Let the kids help you make the sugar cookie icing recipe and then decorate them and add sprinkles at the end for a great way to spend family time together too!

Mom is the certified cookie inspector.
Megan

How to make sugar cookies with Icing

How do you make decorated homemade Sugar Cookies?

If you want to have less stress around the holidays, follow this sugar cookie recipe and it will never let you down. You can use it with cut-outs to make shapes and all kinds of things or keep it low-key. A simple icing and sprinkles is all it takes to take a plain sugar cookie and elevate it to star-status.

How do you make icing for sugar cookies

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Sugar Cookies

  • Like thinner cookies? – If you want thinner and crispy cookies, just roll the dough thinner.
  • Like thicker cookies? For thicker and softer cookies, make sure it’s about ¼-inch thick and keep the edges lightly golden.
  • Let them cool – Don’t move your cookies before they cool or they’ll break.
  • How to thicken/thin frosting – Thicken up your frosting with more powdered sugar or thin it out with more water.

Ingredients for icing

How to Decorate Sugar Cookies

I’m less of a stickler for perfectly decorated sugar cookies because I always invite my kids to help me. It’s so much more fun this way. However, you can add food coloring to your icing to give it different colors for any holiday or keep it plain white. Add sprinkles and other fun candies and toppings to it as you like. You can even use cookie cutters in fun shapes on a lightly floured work surface to make it more interesting for the kids. That’s what I love about decorating sugar cookies…anything goes!

What is cooking icing made of

How to make Icing for Sugar Cookies from Scratch

Making the icing from scratch for sugar cookies isn’t rocket science. The best part is that the ingredients are so simple. And if you somehow get the texture wrong, you can balance it out with powdered sugar or water.

How do you make cookie frosting from scratch

What is cookie icing made of?

Royal icing for sugar cookies is typically made of powdered sugar, water, vanilla extract, and light corn syrup. It’s very easy to make!

How do you make icing for sugar cookies?

All you need are some simple ingredients, usually powdered sugar, water, vanilla extract, and light corn syrup. To make sugar cookie icing follow the recipe below. You only need a spoon and a bowl to mix it together.

How to decorate sugar cookies

How do you make cookie frosting from scratch?

Take the ingredients and mix them together. Just powdered sugar, water, vanilla extract, and light corn syrup is all it takes. You can stir it all together and you’ll see it soon resemble frosting. If you want it to have different colors, you can use gel food coloring.

Separate some icing into individual dishes to add the coloring as you like. You can adjust the consistency with adding more powdered sugar or water, depending on if you want it thinner or thicker.

Making Icing for sugar cookies

Is cookie icing the same as royal icing?

Not exactly. While cookie icing can be used just like royal icing, it won’t dry with as hard a texture. I love using it for piping designs or flooding cookies with icing.

Is granulated sugar same as icing sugar?

No, it isn’t. Icing sugar goes by a couple different names like confectioners’ sugar or powdered sugar. It has a finely ground texture to it that you need for making icing. If all you have is granulated sugar, you can use your food processor to get it to that fine texture. However, I think it will be faster if you go to the store and get the right kind of sugar.


Watch How To Make Sugar Cookies with Icing (Video)

Easy Sugar Cookies with Icing

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Icing 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 15 servings
Calories 247
Super easy and delicious Sugar Cookies with homemade icing. The perfect holiday or party treat that is always a crowd pleaser! Great as well if you prefer soft and chewy cookies that are quick and easy to make.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup butter (unsalted)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg

Icing recipe

  • 2 cups confectioner's sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp light corn syrup
  • 2 1/2 tbsp water (room temperature)
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions 

  • If making your own Icing, start here first. For the Icing, mix all ingredients together until you achieve a silky smooth consistency. Add a few drops of food dye to achieve desired color (optional). Set icing aside and start on the cookies.
  • For The Cookies: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. When you measure out the flour do not pack it into the measuring cup to avoid using too much flour.
  • In another large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with a hand mixer for 5 minutes or until light and fluffy then add the egg and mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Mix in the flour mixture into the wet ingredients with a spatula until just combined.
  • Roll the sugar cookie dough into about 1 1/2 tablespoon dough balls and place them on your prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper evenly spaced apart. Bake cookies on the cookie sheet until just golden brown for 10-12 minutes at 350 F.
  • Let those perfect cookies cool before spreading your icing and sprinkles on top. Spread your icing no more than 1/4-inch thick on top, add your favorite sprinkles and enjoy!
  • Cover left over cookie dough with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake.
Calories: 247kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg

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I’m a mom of two, food and wine lover, and recipe creation enthusiast. Good food brings families together. Which is why I’m devoted to sharing my best recipes that are simple enough for even the beginner cook that your family will love!

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