Soft, chewy, and beautifully decorated, frosted cookies are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. These cookies are simple to make and can be customized with different frosting colors and designs, making them perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just a fun treat.

Ingredients

For The Cookies

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

For the Frosting

• 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1–2 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)

Preparation

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 8–10 minutes per batch
Yield: About 24 cookies

Instructions

1. Make the Dough:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
   • In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
   • Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until the dough comes together.
2. Chill the Dough:
   • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to roll out.
3. Roll and Cut the Dough:
   • After chilling, roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick.
   • Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired shapes (e.g., circles, hearts, stars). Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
4. Bake the Cookies:
   • Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. The centers should still be soft.
   • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Make the Frosting:
   • In a bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Adjust the milk for a thinner consistency if needed.
   • If desired, add food coloring to create different shades for decorating.
6. Frost the Cookies:
   • Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a layer of frosting on top using a spatula or piping bag.
   • You can add sprinkles, colored sugar, or other decorative toppings to make the cookies even more festive.

Tips for Success

• Softening Butter: Make sure your butter is softened for easy creaming with sugar.
• Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough ensures your cookies hold their shape while baking.
• Frosting Consistency: Adjust the amount of milk in the frosting to achieve the desired spreadable consistency.
• Decorating Tools: Use piping bags with different tips for more intricate designs and details.

Fun Twists

• Holiday Frosted Cookies: Use seasonal colors and fun designs like Christmas trees, pumpkins, or hearts.
• Lemon Frosted Cookies: Add 1 tbsp of lemon zest and a bit of lemon juice to the frosting for a zesty twist.
• Chocolate Frosting: Add cocoa powder to the frosting for a rich, chocolatey topping.

Final Touch

Frosted cookies are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a creative outlet for decorators. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply because you love cookies, the custom designs and sweet frosting make these treats truly irresistible.

Enjoy the fun and creativity of baking, and of course, eating these frosted delights! 🍪🎨✨