Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies are the ultimate treat, blending melt-in-your-mouth texture with a burst of sweet, buttery flavor. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender cookie and creamy frosting, making them irresistible for any occasion. Ready in just 23 minutes, these cookies are a quick yet indulgent way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
With their delicate crumb and rich, velvety frosting, these cookies are a feast for the senses. The subtle vanilla aroma and vibrant frosting colors make them as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Whether for a party or a cozy afternoon, these cookies promise to bring joy with every bite.
Ingredients for Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies
- Sugar Cookie Bases:
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened (room temperature works best)
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- ⅓ cup (80 g) sour cream (can substitute with plain yogurt)
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Frosting:
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (125 g) powdered sugar (sift for smoother frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Food coloring (optional, for a pop of color)
- Sprinkles (optional, for decorating)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the sour cream and mix well.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Stir in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1 ½ Tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the prepared cookie sheet. Gently flatten each ball with your fingers (if the dough sticks, wet your fingers slightly).
- Bake: Bake for 6-8 minutes. If the cookies puff up during baking, gently press them down with the clean bottom of a glass. Let the cookies cool completely before frosting.
- Make Frosting: In a medium-sized bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Add food coloring if desired and mix until evenly colored.
- Frost and Decorate: Use a spatula to spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookies. Add sprinkles for decoration if desired.
- Store: Keep the cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
These soft frosted sugar cookies are a delightful treat on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot tea. For a festive touch, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. They’re also a great addition to dessert platters at parties or as a sweet ending to a family dinner.
Keep Them Fresh: Storage Tips
To maintain their soft texture, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, freeze the unfrosted cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.
Mix It Up: Recipe Variations
Get creative with your cookies! Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a citrusy twist, or mix in a handful of chocolate chips for extra indulgence. For the frosting, try almond extract instead of vanilla for a nutty flavor, or use natural food colorings like beet juice or turmeric for a vibrant, chemical-free option.
Quick Tips: Time-Saving Hacks
To speed up the process, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly and reduce rolling time. If you’re short on time, skip the frosting and dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar instead. You can also prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
Essential Tools: Equipment Guidance
An electric mixer is key for achieving the light and fluffy butter-sugar mixture. A silicone baking mat or parchment paper ensures easy cookie removal, and a small offset spatula makes frosting the cookies a breeze. If you don’t have a cookie scoop, a tablespoon measure works just as well for portioning the dough.
Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Bases
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- food coloring optional
- sprinkles for decorating optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine butter and sugar in large bowl and beat with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add sour cream, stir well.
- Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Stir well.
- In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet until well-combined.
- Roll dough into 1 ½ Tablespoon-sized ball and place on prepared cookie sheet. Use your fingers to gently flatten (if dough sticks to your fingers, wet them first)
- Bake on 375F for 6-8 minutes. If cookies puff while cooking, use the clean bottom of a glass to gently re-flatten. Allow cookies to cool while you prepare your frosting.
- Frosting: Place butter in a medium-sized bowl and beat until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar until combined. Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
- Add food coloring and stir until even in color.
- Use a spatula to spread frosting evenly over cooled cookies. Decorate with sprinkles. Store cookies in airtight container.