I can’t wait to share this Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe With Icing Recipe with you—it’s one of those classic treats that always brings people together. Whether it’s for a holiday, a birthday, or just a cozy weekend baking session, these sugar cookies never disappoint. They’re soft, buttery, and the icing adds that perfect sweet touch that lets you get creative with your decorations.

What I love most about this Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe With Icing Recipe is how straightforward it is, even if you’ve never baked from scratch before. The dough comes together quickly, and the frosting is effortless to whip up but turns out beautifully smooth and glossy. Plus, icing and decorating your own cookies is such a fun activity to do with family or friends—I promise it’s way better than store-bought cookies!

Ingredients You’ll Need

When a recipe calls for simple ingredients like this, you know it’s all about balance and quality. Each ingredient plays a key role, like the butter for richness and the baking powder to give the cookies a tender crumb. Here’s what I use and some tips I’ve learned along the way.

Unsalted butter: Softened, not melted—that’s crucial for getting the right cookie texture.
Granulated sugar: Gives just the right sweetness and helps the cookies spread evenly.
Vanilla extract: I always go for pure vanilla—it makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
Large egg: Helps bind everything together and tenderizes the dough.
All-purpose flour: Make sure to spoon and level it when measuring to avoid dense cookies.
Baking powder: Just the right amount for gentle rising without puffing up too much.
Table salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Powdered sugar: For the frosting, sifted to keep it silky smooth without lumps.
Milk: Whole milk works best in the icing to get that creamy consistency, but skim or plant-based milks are fine too.
Light corn syrup: This keeps the frosting shiny and gives it a nice soft texture that’s easy to spread.
Gel food coloring (optional): Adds a pop of fun color for seasonal or themed cookies without watering down the frosting.
Candies and sprinkles (optional): Perfect for personalizing your decorated cookies or making them extra festive.

Variations

The best part about this Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe With Icing Recipe is how you can switch it up to make it your own. I often tweak flavors or decorate according to the season, which keeps things fresh and exciting. Don’t be afraid to experiment—it’s all part of the joy in baking.

Almond extract: Adding a teaspoon instead of vanilla can give the cookies a lovely nutty twist; I love it around the holidays.
Gluten-free flour blend: I’ve swapped out regular flour for a 1:1 gluten-free mix when baking for friends with sensitivities, and the cookies still turn out tender and delicious.
Colored icing: Mixing different gel food coloring shades lets you make themed cookie trays for birthdays or special events—trust me, it’s a crowd-pleaser!
Vegan adaptation: You can replace the butter with a vegan margarine and use a flax egg (flaxseed meal + water) to make these dairy- and egg-free. I’ve tried this, and while the texture is a bit different, they’re still tasty.

How to Make Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe With Icing Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating your softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color—this usually takes around 3-4 minutes with a hand or stand mixer. I like to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to make sure everything combines evenly. This step is key for tender, airy cookies.

Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients

Next, crack in your large egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat until everything is just combined—overmixing here can make the cookies tough, so stop once the dough looks uniform.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents and seasoning are well distributed, which helps the cookies bake evenly.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients into Wet

Slowly add the flour mixture to your butter mixture, beating on low speed or folding by hand until just incorporated. If the dough feels too sticky, you can chill it for 20-30 minutes to make rolling easier, which I sometimes do if I want to cut out shapes cleanly.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into small balls or shape as desired, then place them a couple of inches apart (they’ll spread a little). Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges just start turning golden—don’t wait until they brown all over or they’ll be harder than I usually like.

Step 6: Make the Icing

While your cookies cool, mix the sifted powdered sugar, milk, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and glossy. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk; too thin, add more powdered sugar. Gel food coloring can be mixed in now if you want some pretty colors.

Step 7: Decorate and Let Set

Once your cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe the icing over the tops. At this point, you can add sprinkles or candies while the icing is still wet so they stick perfectly. Let everything set at room temperature for a couple of hours before stacking or storing.

How to Serve Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe With Icing Recipe

This image shows a variety of Christmas cookies on a metal cooling rack over a white marbled surface. There are snowflake-shaped cookies with a smooth white icing layer topped with white sugar crystals. Tree-shaped cookies have a solid layer of bright green icing decorated with blue sprinkles and a small yellow star at the top edge. Candy cane-shaped cookies feature alternating red and white stripes of glossy icing. Star-shaped cookies have a solid white icing layer sprinkled with golden sugar crystals. The cookies sit next to a white plate with more star-shaped cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I often top the iced cookies with festive sprinkles or edible glitter, especially around holidays or special occasions. Sometimes I just add a few simple colored sugar crystals—nothing too fancy, just enough to make each cookie pop visually and add a satisfying crunch.

Side Dishes

I like pairing these sugar cookies with a hot cup of tea or cocoa, especially when enjoying them during cooler months. For brunch gatherings, they also go wonderfully with fresh fruit and whipped cream as a sweet finish.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthday parties, I’ve arranged iced sugar cookies on tiered stands alongside cupcakes for a colorful dessert table. Around holidays, they’re great as edible place cards—you can write names with thin piping or use themed icing colors for each guest. Wrapping them individually in cellophane bags with a ribbon makes adorable gifts that people always appreciate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering them between sheets of wax paper to prevent sticking. They usually stay fresh and soft for about 4-5 days this way. If you’re lucky, you might not even have leftovers!

Freezing

If you want to freeze the cookies, it’s best to do so before icing them. I wrap each cookie tightly in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer bag, and pop them in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to use them, just thaw completely before adding the frosting.

Reheating

These sugar cookies don’t usually need reheating, but if you want that just-baked warmth, I pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. I avoid microwaving because it can make the cookies tough or soggy.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter for this sugar cookie recipe?

Yes, you can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand, but be sure to reduce or omit the added table salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting your cookies. The balance of savory and sweet flavors is important to keep these cookies tasting just right.
How do I prevent my sugar cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Make sure your butter is softened and not melted, and chill your dough for at least 30 minutes before baking if you notice excessive spreading. Also, avoid placing the cookies too close together on the baking sheet, as they need space to expand without merging.
What’s the best way to color the icing without affecting the texture?

Gel food coloring is your best choice because it adds vibrant color without thinning the icing. Avoid liquid food coloring since it can make your icing runny, making it harder to pipe or spread evenly.
Can I make this frosting ahead of time?

You can prepare the frosting a day ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before using, let it come to room temperature and give it a gentle stir to restore its smooth consistency.
How do I get perfectly smooth icing on my sugar cookies?

After spreading the icing, you can gently tap the cookie on your countertop to help the icing settle evenly. Using a piping bag for outlines and then flooding the center with thinner icing also creates a smooth, professional look.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe With Icing Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s so versatile and always turns out beautifully. Whether you’re making them with kids, decorating for a party, or just craving a reliable homemade treat, it really delivers on flavor and fun. I hope you enjoy making these cookies as much as I do—they’re simple, satisfying, and always worth sharing!