Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting – Make a batch of this heavenly Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting to add a touch of sweetness and charm to your treats! You’ll need butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. This frosting is not delicious but easy to make. Spread this creamy and fluffy frosting on your sugar cookies. Watch them transform into irresistible treats. Get ready to elevate your baking skills with this delectable frosting that everyone will love!
I still remember the first time I made this Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting, for my daughter’s birthday party. I wanted something tasty to top our sugar cookies. To my delight, the frosting was a hit with both kids and adults. Even my husband, who isn’t a fan of sweets couldn’t stop praising how well the frosting complemented the cookies without being overly sweet. Since then it has become a favorite in our family and my go-to recipe, for gatherings and celebrations.
What makes this Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting truly stand out?
What makes this Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting stand out is its balance of sweetness and creaminess achieved by using the right amount of ingredients. Using chilled unsalted butter is crucial, for achieving a velvety texture in the frosting. The powdered sugar adds the amount of sweetness without any unwanted graininess. Combining cream and vanilla extract results in a mouthwatering frosting that effortlessly glides, over the cookies. Don’t forget, with the option to incorporate gel food coloring you can easily customize the frosting to match any event or celebration!
What You Need To Make This Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting Recipe?
Cold Unsalted Butter: Butter, from the refrigerator cut into pieces is our secret weapon for this recipe. It ensures that our frosting has a velvety texture that’s simply divine. Using unsalted butter allows us to control the level of saltiness ensuring that each bite is just perfect.
Powdered Sugar: We want our powdered sugar to create a silky frosting like gliding down powdery slopes of sweetness. It is sifted to perfection and seamlessly incorporates with the butter resulting in a sweetness.
Heavy Cream: Heavy cream works its magic by turning our frosting from a powdery cloud into a dream. Adding it tablespoon by tablespoon allows us to achieve the right consistency. Not thick not too thin.
Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla extract adds an enchantment to our frosting. Its warmth and depth infuse the mixture with a perfume that’s absolutely irresistible.
Salt: Salt may only be added in small amounts. It makes a significant difference! Like fairy dust sprinkles it balances out the sweetness while enhancing all the flavors and bringing them into unity.
Gel Food Coloring: Unleash your inner artist, with gel food coloring. Bring your frosting to life! Gel food coloring is fantastic, for adding intense colors to frosting without affecting its consistency. Whether you’re aiming for pastels or bold and brilliant shades using gel food coloring will take you to a world of colors.
Steps To Make Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting:
Step 1: Start by placing your cold, chopped butter into the bowl of your stand mixer, attaching the paddle, and setting it to a medium-high speed. You’re going to let this whip up into a creamy wonderland for about four glorious minutes. It’s like watching butter transform into a cloud!
Step 2: Now, reduce your mixer’s speed to low – we don’t want a powdered sugar snowstorm in the kitchen, do we? Gradually add in that powdered sugar, and give the sides of the bowl a good scrape occasionally. It might look a bit clumpy at this stage, but trust me, magic is about to happen.
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Step 3: Keep that mixer going and start to drizzle in the heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time. You’ll see the frosting start to come together, becoming smoother with each addition. When you’ve added all 5 tablespoons of cream, toss in the vanilla and sprinkle in the salt. Give it another good beat for a few seconds, ensuring everything is well combined.
Step 4: Now for the fun part – coloring! Add gel food coloring to your heart’s content, mixing until you achieve your desired shade. Remember, a little goes a long way with gel colors.
Step 5: Get ready to spread this creamy dreaminess onto your sugar cookies! But remember, this frosting likes to set, so it’s best used within an hour or two of making.
Tip:
Getting the butter consistency just right is essential when making this Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting. Begin with chilled butter. As you whip it let it soften slightly so that it blends smoothly but still retains a firmness for a texture. To check if it’s ready press your finger into the butter. If you can make an indentation without any greasiness then you’re heading in the right direction. This method guarantees a smooth and light frosting every time!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this frosting in advance?
Of course! Just make sure to give it a mix, in the stand mixer before using it so that it gets back its texture.
What if my frosting is too thick/thin?
No worries! If it’s too thick simply add a bit of cream one tablespoon, at a time until you achieve the desired consistency. If it’s too thin just mix in some sugar until you reach your preferred thickness.
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
You can certainly do that. However, I recommend using gel food coloring as it gives your frosting color without affecting its consistency.
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<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Sugar Cookie Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons COLD unsalted butter chopped into about 8 pieces
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 5 tablespoons heavy cream
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Gel food coloring as needed
Instructions
- Put 12 tablespoons of butter (cut into 8 pieces) into the bowl of your stand mixer.
- Attach the paddle attachment to your mixer. Whip the butter, on high speed for about 4 minutes until it becomes creamy.
- Reduce the speed to low and gradually add 5 cups of sugar to the bowl making sure to scrape down the sides. Mix for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is well combined. Don't worry if the mixture looks clumpy at this stage.
- Keep mixing. Add 5 tablespoons of cream, one tablespoon, at a time until the frosting becomes smooth.
- Now add in 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract and a quarter teaspoon of salt. Beat for a few seconds to ensure that everything is thoroughly mixed together.
- If you want to color your frosting you can add gel food coloring at this point. Mix it well until you achieve your desired hue.
- Use the frosting away to spread or pipe onto your sugar cookies. Keep in mind that after an hour or two the frosting will start to harden so it is best to work quickly.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!