This Buttercream Frosting for Sugar Cookies is creamy, smooth and made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. It’s the perfect balance of buttery sweetness with a texture that spreads easily yet sets with a slight crust. Ideal for frosting individual sugar cookies or bars.
Whether you’re decorating for the holidays, birthdays or just baking a favorite sugar cookie recipe, this buttercream comes together quickly using a stand mixer and a few pantry staples. It’s a versatile frosting recipe that works beautifully with different colors, piping tips or even a butter knife for simple spreading.
We love this recipe for our Frosted Halloween Sugar Cookies and our Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make Buttercream Frosting for Sugar Cookies
- Recipe Tips
- More Homemade Staples Recipes You Will Love
- Storage Instructions
- Serving Suggestions
- Buttercream Frosting for Sugar Cookies FAQs
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Buttercream Frosting for Sugar Cookies
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Smooth and Creamy Texture: Made with softened butter and powdered sugar for a soft, spreadable consistency that holds its shape.
- Easy to Make: Uses basic ingredients and comes together in just a few minutes with an electric or hand mixer.
- Customizable Flavors: Add vanilla extract, almond extract or even cocoa powder for chocolate buttercream (if adding chocolate to the current recipe, add a little extra milk for the same consistency).
- Sets Beautifully: Dries to a slight crust so your frosted sugar cookies are stackable in a single layer for gifting or storing.
Ingredients
With just a few items, you are ready to make this frosting in minutes.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Salted Butter: Provides a rich base and balanced flavor for the frosting. Unsalted works well too.
- Icing Sugar/Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the buttercream for smooth spreading. This also helps give that light crunch to the exterior once set.
- Whole Milk: Adds creaminess and helps achieve the right consistency. Add as much or as little to your liking.
All you need to whip this up is a stand mixer with paddle attachment and measuring cups and spoons. Alternatively, you can use a hand mixer, it may just take a little longer.
Variations
- Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted and add a pinch of salt to control the flavor.
- Heavy Cream: Substitute for milk for a richer, fluffier texture.
- Almond Extract: Swap or combine with vanilla extract for a bakery-style flavor.
- Gel Food Coloring: Tint the frosting in different colors for holidays or themes.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: For a tangier alternative, replace half the butter with cream cheese.
How to Make Buttercream Frosting for Sugar Cookies
Just toss everything in your stand mix (you can also do it by hand), and you’re half way there.
Combine all frosting ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and cream together until smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
Add extra milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, for a slightly thinner consistency. I have no problem piping it with the full tablespoon accounted for in the recipe.
Pipe or spread onto cookies as desired.
Hint: Start with softened butter for the smoothest buttercream. It should give just a little when pressed but still hold its shape. Room temperature butter is too warm and shiny, which can make frosting grainy.
Recipe Tips
- Mix Slowly: Begin on low speed with the paddle attachment to avoid air bubbles, then increase to medium-high speed until smooth.
- Scrape the Bowl: Use a silicone spatula to clean the sides of the bowl so everything mixes evenly.
- Adjust Texture: Add a little bit more milk for softer frosting or more powdered sugar for thicker, sweeter frosting.
- Avoid Overmixing: Too much air can cause a whipped texture instead of a smooth buttercream.
This frosting recipe would work well on a Poke Cake too, you just need to double or triple the recipe.
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Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Store for up to 1 week covered tightly with plastic wrap. Before using, allow it to come to room temperature then re-whip before using.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight and mix until smooth.
Serving Suggestions
- Ways to Use This Frosting: Try it on our Sheet Cake, Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars or Poke Cupcakes.
Buttercream Frosting for Sugar Cookies FAQs
Cold butter or under-mixed sugar can cause graininess. Make sure your butter is at room temperature and mix until smooth.
Use gel food coloring for vibrant results without thinning the buttercream.
Yes! You may want to add a little extra milk to thin it a little more if desired. Then use a piping bag with your favorite piping tip.
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Buttercream Frosting for Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter, salted softened (or unsalted)
- 230 grams icing sugar about 2 cups
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
Instructions
- Combine all frosting ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and cream together until smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add extra milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, for a slightly thinner consistency. I have no problem piping it with the full tablespoon accounted for in the recipe.
- Pipe or spread onto cookies as desired.
Notes
- Start with softened butter for the smoothest buttercream. It should give just a little when pressed but still hold its shape. Room temperature butter is too warm and shiny, which can make frosting grainy.
- Begin on low speed with the paddle attachment to avoid air bubbles, then increase to medium-high speed until smooth.
- Use a silicone spatula to clean the sides of the bowl so everything mixes evenly.
- Add a little bit more milk for softer frosting or more powdered sugar for thicker, sweeter frosting.
Nutrition
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Tina says
I need a great buttercream recipe! Saving this my holiday cookies!
Eva Filer says
I hope you enjoy it. Such a classic.
Eva Filer says
I love this frosting recipe, I will mix it up sometimes to add color or extracts for flavor but it is tried-and-true!