• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Feels Like Home™ logo

  • Shop
    • Christianity Downloads
    • Family Downloads
    • Food & Cooking Downloads
    • Hobbies & Crafts Downloads
    • Learning Downloads
  • Blog
  • Family
    • Parenting
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Marriage
    • Kids activities
      • Kids Crafts
      • Christmas Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers
      • Christmas Crafts for Kids
      • Christmas Crafts for Tweens & Teens
    • Learning
      • Reading & Writing
      • STEM
  • Faith
    • Bible Study
    • Encouragement
  • Recipes
    • Comfort Food
    • Eating after Bariatric Surgery
    • Gluten-Free
    • Recipes for Foodie Kids
    • Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals
  • Health
    • Mental Health
      • Hobbies & Crafts
      • Self-Care
    • Physical Health
      • Bariatric Surgery
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • SHOP
  • RECIPES
  • FAMILY
  • FAITH
  • HEALTH
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    See More:   Comfort Food Desserts Holiday Meals Raising Foodie Kids Recipes for Beginners Vegetarian

    Last Modified: Aug 9, 2022 by Tara Ziegmont Leave a Comment

    Christmas Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting

    20FacebookMessenger36PinterestTwitterWhatsAppEmail
    56
    SHARES
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These gorgeous Christmas sugar cookies have the best thick and creamy homemade buttercream frosting that you've ever tasted! Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cookies, and it will harden in a few hours.

    soft sugar cookies with colored buttercream frostingPin

    Have you ever bitten into a nice, soft sugar cookie, only to discover that the "frosting" is really a crunchy bitter royal icing mess? I hate that!

    If I'm going to eat a cookie, I want it to taste amazing. Otherwise, it's not worth wasting the calories. Am I right?

    The recipe below is the perfect sugar cookie frosting because it sets up with a hard crust, but it stays soft, creamy, and sweet underneath. And it actually tastes good. You can't go wrong with that winning combination.

    Why you'll love this sugar cookie frosting recipe

    • It tastes good. Have I mentioned that yet? It's delicious with buttery vanilla goodness and just a hint of almond extract for an extra burst of flavor.
    • It's easy. If you have a stand mixer, this frosting takes about 3 minutes of active work time. If you're using a hand mixer, it takes a little longer, but it's still under 10 minutes.
    • The ingredients are already in your pantry. Butter, vanilla, almond extract (optional), cream, and powdered sugar, plus some food color and sprinkles if you want them. But that's all there is to this recipe. Couldn't be simpler.
    • It's versatile. You can frost your cookies by spreading the buttercream on top or by piping it with a bag. You could also melt the frosting and dip the cookies into it (mind blown, right?). To do that, simply whip the frosting and melt it in the microwave in 20-30 second increments. Add a little extra cream if you need to, so that it's thin enough to dip the cookies into.

    What you'll need to make frosted sugar cookies

    Equipment

    I am assuming that you have already made your sugar cookies according to this recipe, so I will not include the tools required to make them below.

    You'll need an electric hand held or stand mixer to prepare the frosting. The stand mixer makes things easier because you don't have to stand over the ingredients, but mine does not sit out on the counter and so I most often just grab the hand mixer because it's more convenient.

    Ingredients

    You will need a batch of sugar cookies, baked and cooled completely to room temperature. That recipe makes 6 dozen cookies, and the frosting recipe below is enough to cover all 6 dozen.

    However, if you want to make a variety of different cookies, that same sugar cookie recipe can be adapted to make 3 other types of cookie as well, including the following:

    • Secret Hershey Kiss cookies
    • Thumbprint cookies with jam centers
    • Sprinkles cookies

    This buttercream frosting recipe below requires the following ingredients, in addition to the cookies themselves:

    • ½ cup unsalted butter - This is one stick. It should be softened slightly, not so much that your finger will go right through but enough that your finger can make a decent dent in the top.
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or equal amount of vanilla extract -  I have switched over from using vanilla extract to using vanilla bean paste almost exclusively.
      Vanilla extract is an alcohol-based liquid with the consistency of water. To make it, vanilla beans are soaked in alcohol for a long time (many months). There are no actual vanilla beans in extract.
      Vanilla paste on the other hand is a combination of highly concentrated vanilla extract, vanilla bean powder, and a binder (which can be either xanthum gum or corn syrup, read the label). It is the consistency of Elmer's glue.
      The reason I prefer vanilla paste is that, aside from having actual vanilla beans inside, the paste has a richer, more bold flavor, and it has no alcohol taste when it is not cooked. I hate the bitter flavor that traditional vanilla extract gives foods that are not cooked. That bitterness cooks off when heated, but in recipes like popsicles, buttercream, and overnight oats, the alcohol stays in and can taint the flavor if you are heavy handed with it (as I often am).
    • ¼ teaspoon almond extract - This is optional but really makes the frosting sing when you use it.
    • 6 tablespoons heavy cream - You can substitute whole milk or half and half, but heavy cream is really the best option.
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 4 cups powdered sugar - This is the foundation of your buttercream. You can't substitute or use something else. It has to be powdered sugar.
    • Gel food color - You can't use liquid food color in frosting because it will thin it and make it runny. Gel food color is required. I think you could probably also use powdered food color, but I have never tried that.
    • Sprinkles - Optional, but they make the presentation pretty.
    3 frosted sugar cookies on a small white plate

    How to make homemade buttercream frosting for sugar cookies

    1. Beat softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. The color should change and lighten slightly.
      cream butterPin
    2. Add in the powdered sugar and heavy cream a little at a time, alternating and mixing between the two. You cannot over mix frosting, so let the mixer go until you're certain that the sugar and cream are thoroughly incorporated.
    3. Continue adding and mixing until all the powdered sugar and cream have been added.
    4. Add in vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and salt and beat until well incorporated.
    5. Divide the frosting into smaller bowls, one per desired color. Add food coloring to each bowl and whisk, adding additional food coloring until the desired color is achieved.
      spread frosting on cookiesPin
    6. Frost each cookie with a smear of buttercream and a dash of sprinkles, if desired.

    Sugar cookie frosting tips

    The temperature of the butter matters - The butter should be cool to the touch, not room temperature. You should be able to put a dent in the top with your finger, but it should not be so soft and melty that you can put your finger the whole way through. If your butter is too warm, your frosting will be greasy.

    The powdered sugar needs to be smooth - If your powdered sugar has lumps in it, you will need to sift it through a strainer or flour sifter.

    Add sprinkles right after frosting - This frosting does not harden like royal icing (and that is a very good thing in my opinion!). But it does set up and get a sort of crust on top, so if you want to use sprinkles, you will need to apply them right away after frosting the cookies. Otherwise, they won't stick to the frosting.

    a large platter full of frosted sugar cookies

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What if my buttercream is too runny?

    You want this frosting to be a little thinner and runnier than a typical cake frosting because it should soak down into the cookie a bit. This helps to keep the cookies soft. But if it's thinner and runnier than it should be, you may have added too much cream or your butter could have been too soft. Add powdered sugar, about ¼ cup at a time, until you reach the consistency you want.

    What if my buttercream is too stiff?

    You need more liquid. Add additional cream 1 teaspoon at a time. NOT 1 TABLESPOON. 1 teaspoon at a time.

    Can I change up the frosting flavor?

    You sure can! Vanilla is the traditional frosting flavor, and I like to add a teeny amount of almond extract, but you can leave that out if you want.

    You can also substitute peppermint, anise, caramel, butterscotch, or orange extract for the almond. Extracts are very potent, so you should start with ¼ teaspoon at a time and taste frequently.

    You can also add a bit of maple syrup or honey to alter the flavor. Do that about 1 tablespoon at a time, but recognize that you are adding liquid and thus may need to add additional powdered sugar to balance it out.

    Whatever flavor adjustments you make, do so at the very end, after the frosting has been made, so that you get an accurate idea of the finished flavor.

    How can I store the leftover buttercream frosting?

    Buttercream is made from butter and cream, so you should keep it in the refrigerator to prevent spoiling. Store it in an airtight container or zippered plastic bag. Let it come to room temperature before using.

    You can also freeze sugar cookie frosting. Put it in the fridge overnight to thaw, and then let it warm up to room temperature before using.

    After having been stored in the refrigerator or freezer, you may need to re-whip your frosting with the mixer to make it fluffy again. This will not change the flavor at all. It will still be delicious.

    How to store frosted sugar cookies for maximum softness

    The buttercream frosting on these cookies will harden slightly after a couple of hours, but I still recommend placing a layer of wax paper between the layers if you to stack the cookies so that they don't stick to each other.

    You can store these cookies in an airtight container or zippered plastic bag at room temperature for 3-4 days, and they will still be nice and soft.

    If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze the cookies. Simply let them cool to room temperature then place into an airtight container or a zippered plastic freezer bag and stick them in the freezer. They will stay good for months. To eat, simply place the cookies in the fridge or on the counter overnight.

    soft sugar cookies with colored buttercream frosting

    Christmas Sugar Cookies with Homemade Buttercream Frosting

    These gorgeous Christmas sugar cookies have the best thick and creamy homemade buttercream frosting that you've ever tasted! Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cookies, and it will harden in a few hours.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 72 cookies
    Calories 104 kcal

    Equipment

    • Electric mixer

    Ingredients
      

    • 72 sugar cookies baked and cooled
    • ½ cups butter unsalted
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
    • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
    • 6 tablespoons heavy cream
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 4 cups powdered sugar
    • gel food color
    • sprinkles

    Instructions
     

    • Beat butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
    • Add in powdered sugar and heavy cream a little at a time, alternating and mixing between the two. Continue adding and mixing until all the powdered sugar and cream have been added. Add in vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and salt and beat until well incorporated.
    • Divide the frosting into smaller bowls, one per desired color. Add food coloring to each bowl and whisk, add additional food coloring until desired color is achieved.
    • Frost each cookie with a smear of buttercream and a dash of sprinkles if desired.

    Notes

    This cookie is made from a base sugar cookie recipe which you can find here. That same recipe can be adapted to make 3 other types of cookie as well, including the following:
    • Sprinkle cookies
    • Thumbprint cookies with jam centers
    • Secret Hershey Kiss cookies

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 124IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword cookies
    Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!
    20FacebookMessenger36PinterestTwitterWhatsAppEmail
    56
    SHARES

    More Desserts

    • The Best Skillet Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe
    • How to Make the Best Pumpkin Dump Cake
    • Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
    • Pancake Tacos

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tara.

    Harrisburg PA mom blogger Tara Ziegmont
    I am passionate about helping women to care for themselves and their families physically, emotionally, and spiritually by making time for what matters most through a combination of delectable recipes, Christian inspiration, and family fun. If you're tired of feeling so weary and uninspired, you're in the right place. I'm so glad you're here!
    Read more about me...

    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram LinkedIn email me subscribe

    Popular Recipes

    • Cheeseburger Soup from Taste of Home
    • Cracker Barrel Copycat Fried Apples
    • Sweet Balsamic Pork Roast in the Instant Pot
    • Couldn't Be Easier Cherry Pie

    Food with an Instant Pot in the background

    AS SEEN ON

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Popular Bible Studies

    • A Grateful Heart - 2 week printable study
    • 10 Bible Verses on Anger
    • 13 Bible Verses on Disappointment
    • 50 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know
    • 10 Bible Verses to Overcome Worry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    As seen on

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Contact Tara


    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy.

    Copyright © 2022 Feels Like Home Blog

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    SettingsAccept
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT