Easy Sugar Cookie Frosting (Printable version)
A creamy, sweet frosting perfect for decorating sugar cookies. Dries to a soft, glossy finish and is easy to color or flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Base Frosting
01 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
02 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
05 - Pinch of salt
→ Optional Add-ins
06 - Food coloring, as desired
07 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
# Directions:
01 - In a medium mixing bowl, beat together powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined and crumbly.
02 - Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition, until a smooth, spreadable consistency is achieved. For piping, use less milk; for glazing, use more.
03 - If desired, stir in almond extract and a few drops of food coloring until evenly mixed.
04 - Use immediately to frost cooled sugar cookies. Allow cookies to sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour for the frosting to set.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The consistency is forgiving enough for kids to help decorate but professional enough to impress
- You probably have everything in your pantry right now
02 -
- Frosting warm cookies creates a melty mess that never quite sets properly
- Using liquid food coloring can thin your frosting enough to run off the edges
03 -
- Place a damp paper towel over your bowl of frosting when you are not using it to prevent a crust from forming
- Practice your piping technique on wax paper before moving to the actual cookies