This Buttercream Frosting for cookies is creamy and fluffy. This sugar cookie icing is so much tastier than royal icing yet so easy to make.
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This Buttercream Frosting for cookies recipe is easy to make, requires only a few ingredients and make the best topping for cookies like this Frosted Sugar Cookie Recipe. If you love holiday baking and want to find more, check out more holiday recipes.
If you want a lighter frosting, give this Cool Whip Frosting a try. I love how light and fluffy it is.
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What We Love About This Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting Recipe
This sugar cookie buttercream frosting recipe is a true keeper that you will reach for again and again. It is the best buttercream frosting for your cookies.
- 5 Minutes: It takes only a few minutes to make this creamy frosting.
- Easy Ingredients: Only 5 ingredients or 6 with the coloring.
- Family Friendly: Kids love to help decorate with this frosting.
- Adaptable: Can make different variations or flavors. Use a piping bag, a plastic bag or even a butter knife to decorate your cookies.
Ingredient Notes
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure that it is at room temperature butter.
- Vanilla Extract: Try to use a clear vanilla extract so you do not get that brown color for your vanilla buttercream frosting.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: If you do not have heavy cream, Make 1 cup of heavy cream, melt 1/4 cup of butter and slowly whisk in 3/4 cup milk.
- Gel Food Coloring
Variations and Substitutions for Buttercream Icing for Cookies
- Vanilla Extract – You can change the flavor by using almond extract, peppermint extract or even fresh lemon zest.
- Salted Butter- Omit the pinch of salt if you use salted butter.
- Powder Sugar – A low calorie or sugar free alternative can replace the powdered sugar.
How to Make Buttercream Icing for Cookies
These are the basic steps for making buttercream frosting for sugar cookies. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
STEP 1: MIX
First, with an electric mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment beat butter until light and fluffy on medium-high speed. Add in powdered sugar and heavy cream a little at a time alternating and mixing between additions.
Continue adding and mixing until all the powdered sugar and cream has been added Next, add in vanilla and salt and mix until well incorporated.
STEP 2: COLOR
Finally, add food coloring and mix. Add to a piping bag and frost your cookies.
Prep and Storage Tips
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
Place it in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to use. Let it come up to room temperature before using it. Once your buttercream has warmed up, re-whip it to bring it back to a fluffy consistency.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
An airtight bag or container is the best way in the refrigerator. If stacking use layers of parchment paper or wax paper in between the layers, wait for a slight crust to form on the icing.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
This buttercream frosting can be frozen for several months. When you are ready to use, thaw in the fridge for about 24 fours and then allow to sit out at room temperature for about a half hour and then whip with a mixer to make it soft and pliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several ways to apply this icing, for example:
>An offset spatula, spread the icing on cookies, this is great for cookies that are going to be one color
Do not frost the cookies directly from the oven, allow to cool at room temperature or chill in the fridge.
>Icing bags, you can use decorating icing tips and bags to create lavish designs. Wilson has some great techniques here.
Yes, this frosting is great for a cakes too.
Make as much as you need or make more and freeze it for when you need it. It goes great with any cookie dough.
Of course the best way to make different colors is to make one batch of icing and then transfer some of the frosting to different bowls and color each to the desired hue.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: Having a cookie decorating party or making cookies for a crowd? Truly you can just increase the recipe for as many as you need and freeze any leftovers.
- Change up the flavor: Replace the vanilla with, peppermint, almond or buttercream extract to make it different.
- Too thick: If frosting is too thick, add a few drops of milk or cream and whip to make a little thinner.
- Variation tip: Add some cream cheese to make a cream cheese frosting.
- Decorate: Use sprinkles or cookie toppers to make the cookies even cutter.
What to Serve with Buttercream Frosting for Cookies
- Red Velvet Cookies
- No Spread Sugar Cookies
- Christmas Tree Cupcakes
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Buttercream Frosting for Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Unsalted Butter , Softened
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla
- 6 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 4 Cups Powdered Sugar
- Gel Food Coloring
Instructions
- With an electric mixer beat butter until light and fluffy. Add in powdered sugar and heavy cream a little at a time alternating and mixing between additions. Continue adding and mixing until all the powdered sugar and cream has been added. Add in vanilla and salt and mix until well incorporated.
- Add food coloring if desired and mix, add additional food coloring until desired color is reached. You can also separate the frosting into smaller bowls to color separately if you want more than one color of frosting.
Expert Tips
-
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: Having a cookie decorating party or making cookies for a crowd? Truly you can just increase the recipe for as many as you need and freeze any leftovers.
- Change up the flavor: Replace the vanilla with, peppermint, almond or buttercream extract to make it different.
- Too thick: If frosting is too thick, add a few drops of milk or cream and whip to make a little thinner.
- Variation tip: Add some cream cheese to make a cream cheese frosting.
- Decorate: Use sprinkles or cookie toppers to make the cookies even cutter.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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