Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies
I had grand ideas to make fancy, decorated sugar cookies for Valentine’s Day. However, with an only partially completed nursery and plenty of things to sew before Baby C arrives, it just wasn’t feasible. Not wanting to miss out on the fun that is holiday sugar cookies, I decided to make these simple ones instead. I saved this recipe last year, and I have seen it on countless blogs since then. It was about time that I tried this recipe for myself, and let me tell you that the wonderful reviews it’s received are all well deserved.
These cookies are a better version of the ones you see at grocery stores. You know the ones I’m talking about – they’re always decorated for each season/holiday. Now you can make them at home and customize them with whatever colors and sprinkles you want. As you can imagine, these are oodles better than the store-bought version. They lack that off, artificial taste and instead are rich and buttery. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, these will definitely satisfy it. The cookies are delicious enough on their own, and with a thick layer of frosting they’re hard to beat. Because of their simplicity, I think these would be incredibly fun to make with children. What kid doesn’t like to roll cookie dough and shake on sprinkles? The most difficult part of making these is having the willpower not to eat too many.
- COOK TIME:
- YIELD: about 2 dozen cookies
For the cookies:
4½ cups all-purpose flour
4½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1½ cups (3 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1½ cups sugar
3 large eggs
5 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the frosting:
5 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
⅓ cup (5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon) unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
7-8 tablespoons milk (plus more, as needed)
Food coloring and sprinkles, optional
- 1
Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in the vanilla and reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually add in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Cover and chill the dough for one hour.
- 2
Once the dough has been chilled, preheat oven to 350º. Scoop a scant quarter cup and roll into a ball. Flatten into a thick disk and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing the cookies at least 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until just set, taking care not to overbake. The edges will be barely browned, if at all. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- 3
To make the frosting, place the confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in the melted butter, vanilla and milk. Continue whisking until smooth, adding more milk as needed, a tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency. Tint with food coloring, if desired.
Use an offset spatula to frost the cookies, and top with sprinkles if desired. If the frosting becomes too thick to be workable, whisk in additional milk. Store in an airtight container.
Those look so fantastic!
Ok so these look like the Lofthouse ones I keep seeing on the blogs and I, too, wanted to make them for Valentine’s Day but I’m out of time. However, I def need to make these cookies and soon!
One of my favorite cookies! Yummm!
I love a good, soft, cookie. Yum!
I am so excited to make these for my coworkers for Valentine’s Day! Thanks for sharing! Can the frosting be left out, or do the cookies need to be refrigerated after they are frosted?