Classic Frosted Sugar Cookies

This traditional sugar cookie recipe with frosting is perfect for serving during the holidays or as a sweet and simple family treat.

This is my go to frosted sugar cookie recipe and I make a few batches every holiday season. I’ve also made these for get togethers year round and they are always a hit.

They have a wonderful flavor and texture and even though they are made from scratch, they are super easy to make.

Make sure to bookmark or pin this recipe so you can find it the next time you want to bake sugar cookies.

And just by adding a few drops of your preferred food coloring to your frosting, your cookies will be perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines Day or any other holiday!

Have your cookies spread out too much when baked? Temperature is probably the culprit. Make sure that your cookie sheet is not hot when adding your dough, chill your cookie dough, and make sure you’re baking at the proper temperature.

Cookie Baking Tip

Save this recipe for later: Sugar cookies without baking soda

How to Bake Sugar Cookies with Frosting from Scratch

If you’re looking for a sweet and delicious sugar cookie recipe with a classic flavor, this is the recipe for you.

And you won’t need to spend a ton of time in the kitchen to make them either!

Prep time is just about five minutes and bake time is less than ten minutes. So these cookies are great when you need to bake something at the last minute.

They’ve saved me on more than one occasion where I forgot about a holiday get together.

But just because they’re quick doesn’t mean they don’t taste amazing. In fact, this is my favorite sugar cookie recipe of all time.

For your cookies, the only equipment you need is a mixing bowl and a cookie sheet.

Below you’ll also find a couple great frosting recipes, so you can use the one that sounds best to you!

Pin this recipe: Dairy free sugar cookies

Sugar Cookie Ingredients

For this recipe, all you need are simple and common baking ingredients. It’s actually a very affordable recipe, which is great because if you’re like me, you bake a lot of cookies during the holidays.

Ingredients List

• Unsalted Butter
• Granulated Sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla Extract
• All-Purpose Flour
• Cream of Tartar
• Baking Soda
• Salt

Butter: Butter provides our cookies with a soft and delicious texture. For these cookies I would not use an alternative oil.

Sugar: You can’t have sugar cookies without sugar! And over the years I’ve tested this recipe with varying amounts, and have found one and a half cups to be the perfect amount.

Eggs: Eggs add to the final flavor and also aid in leavening with provides structure to our cookies. For that classic flavor and texture, don’t use an egg substitute in this recipe.

Vanilla Extract: This flavor enhancer is a classic part of most sugar cookie recipes and I prefer it to most alternatives. You can use almond extract in a pinch though, or for a nice change of pace.

Cream of Tartar: This classic leavening agent helps give our cookies volume and structure. I’ve had a number of readers ask about alternatives, so I wrote this cream of tartar substitute article you can reference. But, I do recommend using cream of tartar if at all possible.

Frosting for your Sugar Cookies

Nothing beats homemade sugar cookies.

Except, homemade sugar cookies with homemade frosting!

I’ve used a number of different frostings for my sugar cookies and the great thing about this recipe is, it works with so many type of frosting.

If you want to color your frosting, you will want to go with a light colored recipe and add a few drops of food coloring.

In general, buttercream frosting will be sweeter than cream cheese frosting. So you can choose your frosting recipe based on how sweet you want your frosting to be.

Here are some of the best frostings I’ve used for my sugar cookies. They are all super easy to make, so go with the one that sounds the tastiest!

• Orange buttercream frosting (fresh and sweet)
• Butterscotch frosting (sweet and creamy)
• Banana cream frosting (banana goes well with sugar cookies)
• Coconut cream cheese frosting (great combination)
• Classic cream cheese frosting (great recipe)
• Traditional buttercream (sweet and delicious)

I have many more great frosting recipes, just go to the top of the page and search for more great options.

Easy Step by Step Recipe Instructions

Your cookies will be in the oven in just a few short minutes. This recipe is so easy to make, and clean up is just as easy.

So, once you have your ingredients gathered, it’s time to start baking!

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Step 2: Grease your cookie sheet or spray it with non stick baking spray.

Step 3: In your mixing bowl, add your sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla extract and blend until well combined.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, stir together your all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.

Step 5: Stir your egg mixture into your dry mixture until well combined.

Step 6: Chill dough for about 15 minutes in the freezer or 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

Step 7: Sprinkle some granulated sugar onto a clean surface.

Step 8: Roll cookie dough into balls with your palms and then gently roll your cookie dough balls in your sugar.

Step 9: Arrange on greased cookie sheet with at least an inch and a half between dough balls.

Step 10: Bake for 7-9 minutes in preheated oven.

Step 11: Carefully remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

Step 12: While your cookies are cooling, prepare your frosting.

Step 13: When cookies are cool, frost them. Serve and enjoy!

Liv’s Frosted Sugar Cookie Recipe Notes

• To add color to your frosting, add a few drops of your preferred color to your frosting. I’ve found the best results come from gel food coloring.
• You can also add sprinkles or any of your preferred cookies toppings.
• Make sure to allow your cookies to cool before frosting them.
• Store your cookies covered in the refrigerator for up to three days.