Frosted Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Homemade Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe
Introduction to Frosted Sugar Cookies
If you’re looking for a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion, look no further than homemade frosted sugar cookies. These cookies are not only easy to make but also incredibly delicious, with a soft, tender texture that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re celebrating a special event or just want a sweet snack, these cookies will surely bring joy to everyone who tries them!
A Personal Story Behind My Frosted Sugar Cookies Journey
Growing up, my grandmother made the most amazing sugar cookies, and they were always a hit at family gatherings. I remember helping her in the kitchen, rolling out the dough and using colorful cookie cutters. Now, I carry on that tradition by making these frosted sugar cookies for my family. They remind me of those cherished moments and bring smiles to faces just like my grandmother’s cookies did.
What Makes This Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe Special?
This recipe stands out because of its unique blend of cream cheese and almond extract, which adds a rich flavor profile that you won’t find in your typical sugar cookie recipe. The cream cheese gives the cookies a soft, chewy texture, while the almond extract infuses a delightful aroma. Plus, the frosting is customizable with food coloring, making these cookies perfect for any celebration!
The Full Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 egg
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 ½ cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- ¼ cup milk, plus more as needed (for frosting)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (for frosting)
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a cookie sheet. This ensures that your cookies don’t stick!
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, almond extract, and egg until fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving that light texture.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients separately helps ensure an even distribution.
- Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix; just combine until you can see no dry flour.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ⅜ inch thick. For crunchier cookies, roll it thinner. Use a rolling pin for even thickness.
- Use cookie cutters or the top of a cup to cut out shapes, then place them on the prepared cookie sheet. Leave some space between the cookies, as they will spread slightly while baking.
- Bake for 9-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them, as ovens vary! Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.
Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, mix the powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract with a hand mixer until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding more milk, a tablespoon at a time.
- Add food coloring to the frosting if you’d like to make your cookies colorful! Just a few drops can give you a vibrant hue.
- Frost the cooled cookies and allow the frosting to set before storing them. For a festive touch, consider decorating the cookies with sprinkles or edible glitter before the frosting sets.
Serving Suggestions and Variations for Frosted Sugar Cookies
These frosted sugar cookies are perfect for any gathering or celebration. You can serve them as part of a dessert platter, or package them beautifully as gifts for friends and family. For variations, consider adding different extracts like lemon or orange for a citrus twist. You can also mix in chocolate chips or nuts for added texture and flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions About Frosted Sugar Cookies
Can I use different types of flour?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour if needed, but the texture may vary slightly.
How should I store the cookies?
Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate them for longer freshness.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! You can freeze the dough for up to three months. Just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking.
Recipe Stats
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 35-40 minutes
Calories per Serving: 180
Servings: 24 cookies
Homemade Frosted Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- Oven Preheat to 375°F.
- Stand Mixer For creaming ingredients.
- Cookie Cutters For shaping cookies.
- Baking sheet For baking cookies.
- Cooling Rack For cooling cookies.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 large egg
- 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 4.5 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 0.33 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 0.25 cup milk, plus more as needed (for frosting)
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 0.5 teaspoon almond extract (for frosting)
- optionally colored food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a cookie sheet.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the unsalted butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, almond extract, and egg until fluffy.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ⅜ inch thick.
- Use cookie cutters or the top of a cup to cut out shapes, then place them on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 9-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.
- For frosting, mix the powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Add food coloring to the frosting if desired.
- Frost the cooled cookies and let the frosting set before storing.