If you are looking for the best buttercream frosting for sugar cookies you are in the right place! Not only does this icing recipe hardens, but it is a super easy recipe with only 3 simple ingredients that don’t include corn syrup.
I have been using this recipe for years. Call it laziness, but I never could get the right consistency with royal icing so I opted to DIY my own buttercream frosting for basically anything that needs frosting. I eventually found out that my lazy easy way turned out to be the BEST buttercream frosting for sugar cookies.
This year I’ve been using this amazing buttercream on my favorite sugar cookie recipe. It is the perfect frosting for these soft sugar cookies that are cutout cookies in the shape of hearts.
Buttercream frosting is made from butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract and is known for its smooth, creamy, rich taste.
Royal icing, on the other hand, is made from powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. It dries to a hard, crisp finish and is often used as decorative icing for detailed work. Royal icing is generally applied with a piping bag or squeeze bottle, while buttercream is a fluffy frosting that can be applied with a frosting knife, butter knife, or piping bag.
As I mentioned you only need a few basic ingredients to make this easy sugar cookie buttercream recipe.
You can store this perfect sugar cookie frosting by laying plastic wrap over the frosting and sealing it in an airtight container or in a freezer bag for up to 2-3 days in the fridge. Any longer than that and it will start to harden on its own, making it hard to spread.
You can use cold butter if you are in a pinch. If you are using cold butter, I suggest cutting the butter into small quarter-inch cubes before adding it to the mixer. This will allow the butter to whip better. If you are using cold butter you may also have to add a few more minutes for blending and mixing.
This recipe is perfect for sugar cookies since it is light and fluffy, and it hardens with a slight crust. It’s a great recipe to use with the kids when decorating Christmas cookies since it isn’t as runny as other types of frostings. I’ve also used this recipe on cakes and cupcakes perfectly!
Yes! You can substitute dark vanilla for clear vanilla extract, almond extract, or lemon extract! I’ve also created a cream cheese frosting with this recipe as well. Substitute half of the recommended butter for cream cheese.
You can freeze buttercream frosting for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. 24 hours before you’re ready to use it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bring it to room temperature before re-whipping again.
You actually can, as long as you have granulated white sugar. I have an easy step-by-step tutorial on how to make homemade powdered sugar from granulated white sugar! Read the tutorial here.
If you find your buttercream frosting is too runny or thin, add 1/2 a cup more of powdered sugar at a time until it is at your desired texture.
If you put too much powdered sugar in and the frosting feels too thick and heavy, add a 1/4 tsp of heavy cream to your mixing bowl while blending. Be sure to only add a little bit at a time. A little goes a long way in this recipe.
If you are looking for the best buttercream frosting for sugar cookies you are in the right place! Not only does this icing recipe hardens, but it is a super easy recipe with only 3 simple ingredients that don’t include corn syrup.
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