Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

These soft frosted sugar cookies are the perfect balance of pillowy texture and sweet vanilla flavor, topped with creamy buttercream frosting that melts in your mouth. Ready in just over an hour, this bakery style recipe delivers soft, thick cookies with a dreamy, spreadable frosting that elevates homemade treats for any celebration. Enjoy professional quality results and satisfy your cravings for classic soft sugar cookies all from your own kitchen.

I first made these soft frosted sugar cookies for my daughter's birthday because I wanted something crowd pleasing that didn't require lengthy chilling or rolling. These cookies wowed our guests with their soft bite and vibrant frosting, and I loved how simple pantry staples turned into bakery worthy sweets. Now, they're always the most requested dessert at every family gathering and special occasion, with endless flavor combinations to try.

Gather Your Ingredients

• All purpose flour (soft sugar cookie flour): Measuring with a scale ensures a soft, tender crumb; substitute with a gluten free blend and xanthan gum if needed
• Cornstarch (texture enhancer): The secret to melt-in-your-mouth softness; don't skip or you lose the signature bakery feel
• Baking soda (leavening for softness): Gives lift without making cookies cakey; fresh baking soda is best
• Kosher salt (balances sweetness): Balances flavors and brings out vanilla notes; use sea salt in a pinch, but measure carefully
• Unsalted butter, room temperature (rich base for dough and frosting): Must be truly soft for proper creaming; plant based butter works for dairy free
• Granulated sugar (sweetness and structure): Provides a perfectly crisp edge with soft centers; can swap for light brown sugar for caramel notes
• Vegetable or canola oil (keeps cookies soft): Essential for bakery like softness; use neutral flavored oil
• Egg plus egg yolk, room temperature (richness and structure): The extra yolk guarantees tenderness and helps the dough bind
• Pure vanilla extract (classic sugar cookie flavor): Use high quality pure vanilla for the best taste; almond or lemon extract for fun variations
• Powdered sugar (buttercream sweetness): Provides a smooth, creamy frosting; sift to prevent lumps
• Milk (frosting consistency): Adjusts spreadability; use any non dairy milk as a swap
• Food coloring and sprinkles (optional, for custom decoration): Create festive colors and fun finishes; skip for a simple classic look

How to Make Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

Whisk dry ingredients for even softness:

In a medium bowl, whisk the all purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt until totally uniform. This even distribution ensures the signature tender texture in every bite and prevents salt pockets.

Cream butter and sugar thoroughly:

Beat room temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium high speed for 2 to 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Proper creaming forms tiny air pockets that translate into extra soft cookies.

Add oil gradually for perfect texture:

With mixer on medium low, stream in the oil slowly so it fully emulsifies with the butter mixture, giving a dough that bakes up soft and moist without greasy spots.

Incorporate eggs and vanilla for richness:

One at a time, beat in the egg and extra egg yolk, then add vanilla extract. Mixing after each addition ensures even blending; the dough may look slightly curdled but will become smooth again.

Mix in dry ingredients gently:

Add the dry ingredients in three parts on low speed, mixing just until combined each time and scraping the bowl as needed. Overmixing develops gluten, causing cookies to lose their pillowy bite.

Portion and shape the dough:

Using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, space dough balls about 2 inches apart on parchment lined baking sheets. Gently flatten each with your palm so cookies bake evenly and retain a soft center.

Bake to just set for softness:

Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating pans halfway. Edges should be set but centers slightly underbaked, which creates the ultra soft texture after cooling.

Allow cookies to cool completely:

Let cookies sit on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Complete cooling prevents the frosting from melting and ensures sturdy, spreadable results.

Make buttercream frosting for bakery finish:

Beat room temperature butter until creamy (about 2 minutes), add powdered sugar one cup at a time, then mix in vanilla and milk. For colored frosting, add food dye until evenly blended.

Frost and decorate cookies:

Spread buttercream generously on cooled cookies, using an offset spatula for swirls. Decorate with sprinkles immediately for beautiful, festive sugar cookies every time.

Let frosting set before storing:

Allow decorated cookies to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, so the buttercream firms slightly and decorations stay in place.

I discovered the simple oil and butter mixing technique after years of experimenting in my quest for the perfect homemade sugar cookie. Realizing that most bakeries use shortening for softness led me to swap in oil, which brought the same light tenderness with much more flavor depth and better, homemade taste.

Smart Swaps and Variations

The beauty of these soft frosted sugar cookies is their versatility, making them easy to personalize for any event or dietary need. For a citrus twist, fold in one tablespoon of lemon zest to the dough and use lemon juice in the buttercream. Almond extract elevates the cookies with a sophisticated note, while peppermint frosting and crushed candy canes are perfect for winter holidays. Dairy free cookies are effortless by using plant based butter and almond or oat milk, preserving the iconic texture and taste.

How to Store and Reheat Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

Once the frosting sets, arrange cookies in a single layer in an airtight container with wax or parchment paper between stacks to prevent sticking. Stored at room temperature, cookies remain pillowy soft for up to 5 days. For freezing, place cookies on a baking sheet in a single layer until solid, then move to a freezer safe container with parchment between layers for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies uncovered at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours for best texture and no sogginess.

What to Serve with Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

These pillowy vanilla sugar cookies pair beautifully with milk, which cuts their sweetness and makes for a nostalgic treat. For a more sophisticated pairing, serve alongside robust coffee or tea, such as Earl Grey or vanilla rooibos, which highlight the cookies' silky frosting. For dessert platters, arrange them with chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles for a crowd pleasing, colorful display that suits every taste.

Nutritional Benefits

While soft frosted sugar cookies are an indulgent treat, making them at home means you avoid artificial ingredients and preservatives found in store bought versions. Using real butter and eggs adds fat soluble vitamins and protein, and you can easily make them with organic ingredients or whole wheat flour for a cleaner snack. Each cookie provides quick, accessible energy, making it a great occasional treat for active families.

Recipe Success Tips

The most frequent issue with these cookies is overbaking; removing them when just set ensures a moist, soft center after cooling. If cookies spread too thin, your butter may have been overly warm, so chill the dough briefly before baking. For ultra uniform results, always use a cookie scoop and rotate your sheets halfway through baking to guarantee even color and shape every time.

These soft frosted sugar cookies are sure to become your go to recipe for celebrations, gifting, and everyday joy. Their soft, buttery crumb and beautifully sweet frosting bring bakery perfection to your own home and guarantee smiles with every batch!

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ How do I keep sugar cookies soft?

Ensure not to overbake; remove cookies when edges are set and centers appear slightly underdone. Storage in an airtight container also preserves softness.

→ Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added kosher salt in the dough to balance the flavor and prevent oversalting.

→ How long should the cookies cool before frosting?

Let cookies cool completely to room temperature so the frosting sets properly and doesn't melt when spread.

→ What’s the best way to achieve fluffy frosting?

Cream the butter well before slowly adding powdered sugar and milk. Adjust with extra powdered sugar or milk to reach desired consistency.

→ Can I freeze the cookies or the dough?

Both the dough and baked, unfrosted cookies freeze well. Thaw at room temperature, then frost before serving for best texture.