Homemade Sugar Cookie Frosting that Hardens!
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Homemade Sugar Cookie Frosting that Hardens ~ The Perfect Sugar Cookie Frosting for Decorating! If You Are Looking for Frosting For Sugar Cookies that Hardens this is it!
I have been searching for YEARS for the perfect Sugar Cookie Frosting recipe that hardens. I didn’t want an icing I wanted a frosting. One that would harden so I could stack my cookies without them sticking to each other. This homemade frosting that hardens is delicious and easy!
I’ve finally found the ONE. The one frosting that I’ll use every single time I make sugar cookies. It’s ridiculously easy and all the ingredients are in my pantry so I don’t have to search out for “weird” ingredients that will never be used again.
I’m not that kind of girl. I live in small town Minnesota and ain’t no one got time for that!
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Ingredients for Homemade Sugar Cookie Frosting that Hardens!
- Butter
- Milk
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
Yup that’s right only FIVE Ingredients needed!
Happy dance happening right here isn’t it?
Plus, it’s totally adaptable to any occasion. Dye it a different color. Throw some festive sprinkles to celebrate any occasion or make sugar cookies and frost them for the heck of it!
Can we talk Christmas cookies? I adore them, my hips don’t adore them, but once a year I don’t really care what the hips say! I make all kinds of them, but my all time favorites are Almond Cherry Cookies, Chocolate Mint Thumbprint Cookies, Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies!
What is your favorite Christmas cookie? A more traditional, handed down recipe or something new and exciting?
Don’t forget these Soft Sugar Cookies that are perfect to pair with this amazing Sugar Cookie Frosting!
I feel this “expectation” when I go to holiday parties. People expect me to bring a cookie tray laden with deliciousness. I feel that I’m a fraud if I don’t bring the ultimate cookie platter. I try to make cookies for weeks so I have a good variety.
Except sugar cookies. I’ve always shied away from the rolling, cutting and frosting. It sounded overwhelming. I wanted to drop and bake and then stack and freeze. That’s more my kind of cookie baking!
Then I tried Pillsbury Sugar Cookies. You know the ones you find in your grocery’s diary aisle? The refrigerated pull about or cut ones…I need something fast, like super fast one day. I gave them a whirl. I promptly frosted them with this amazing Homemade Sugar Cookie Frosting that hardens.
Tools Recommended to Make Homemade Sugar Cookie Frosting that Hardens!
I served them secretly smiling. No one was going to know!
And then someone promptly asked me for my recipe for the cookies. I blushed and filled her in on my secret. She said, NO WAYYYYYYYY!
Yes Way. Totally. Not Lying.
Those cookies are soft, chewy and delicious. You top them with this amazing frosting for Sugar Cookies that hardens and Viola. You’ve got a home run.
I won’t tell if you don’t!
mORE AMAZING RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Homemade Sugar Cookie Frosting that Hardens
Ingredients
- 2/3 c. butter softened
- 1/2 c. milk
- 2 lbs powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
Instructions
- In mixing bowl cream together butter and milk with an electric mixer. Slowly mix in powdered sugar and extracts.
- Frost sugar cookies immediately. Let frosting harden. Store cookies in air tight container.
Tips
Video
Nutrition Information
Recipe Slightly Adapted from: Skip to My Lou
Sam says
Can one paint, stencil or decorate on this frosting after it hardens?
Julie says
I haven’t tried this but it might work!
Hannah says
When u was mixing the butter and milk it separated what do I do?
Julie says
Did you use softened butter or melted butter? You might need to chill it for a little bit and then try creaming again.
Ayesha says
Approx. how many cups of frosting does this yield? I know the recipe says 84 cookies, so is that like 1/4 cup of frosting per cookie?
Julie says
This makes about 5-6 cups of frosting.
Carole Wilbur says
I have used this recipe many times. Each time the results are fantastic. Thanks for sharing. I am going to try thinning it down to use for dipping mini pretzels in pastel colors for Easter treats. I am planning on dipping half in one color, letting it harden. Then dipping the other half in another color. I know my great-grand children love this recipe. I have also added different flavors to the frosting with coordinated colors.
Julie says
That sounds like a fun Easter idea! I’m glad this recipe can work for you over and over!
Louise says
Can I make it without almond extract?
Thank you.
Julie says
Yes you can!
Laura says
Is this like the icing that you would find on those Lofthouse cookies in the grocery store? That’s the kind of cookie frosting I’m looking for
Julie says
It might not be exact but it will be pretty close!
m delgatty says
I’ve made lots of sugar cookies, and I don’t see anything in this recipe that would give me any confidence this frosting will harden. How long did you leave it sitting out?
Julie says
It hardens in about 1-2 hours.
Brenda Parker says
I am trying to make cookies with edible rice paper photos on them. Would this frosting work for that? Thanks
Julie says
I have never worked with edible rice paper so I’m not sure!
Robin says
Do you have a smaller batch recipe? I want to try this! Thanks.
Julie says
You could try cutting it in half, I don’t have a smaller batch recipe for this one.
Heather Crawford says
I didn’t use all the icing. How long will it last if put in the fridge? Will i need to add any milk to it when i am ready to use again.
Julie Evink says
I would say up to a week. You will need to add milk to it to thin it out.
Beth says
That seems like a lot of sugar (8 cups). About how many average-sized cookies will it cover? I’m only making a few for Santa.
Julie Evink says
It will make enough for about 84 cookies. You can use the slider tab on the recipe where the servings and slide it down to the amount you want and the recipe will adjust.
Jaime says
I’m looking for a frosting that hardens enough to stack them, but is still soft when you bite into them. Like a loft house frosted cookie, if you know what I mean. Is this that frosting? Also, if it does stay soft, how many days will it stay soft for approximately? Thank you for the recipe. It looks delicious…:)
Julie Evink says
I think it is similar, but I don’t eat a lot of those cookies. It will stay good about 3 days.
Le Anne says
I used this recipe last year and LOVED it! It was so nice to have a good frosting that hardens easily. No fridge needed. Coming back to this so I can get the recipe again for sugar cookies this year!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back and commenting and rating it!
Chrissy Mann says
Absolutely superb frosting.
Julie Evink says
So glad you loved it! Thanks for coming back and rating and commenting on the recipe!
Sur says
Do the cookies have to be refrigerated after frosted or can they be stored at room temperature in containers? With butter didn’t know if refrigeration is required
Julie Evink says
The frosting does not need to be refrigerated.