This Sugar Cookie Recipe is the perfect pink frosting swirled on top of the best basic sugar cookie. It is my go-to recipe when I want to impress! If you are looking for cut-out sugar cookies for decorating, check out my Cutout Sugar Cookie recipe.
Sugar Cookie Recipe
You may have found this cookie recipe and noticed that they look a lot like the famous Swig Cookies. These cookies are special because you don’t have to roll out the dough like regular sugar cookies. After they are baked, frosting is added to make them even more delicious. For an additional treat, be sure to try these cookies chilled! For another frosted cookie favorite, try my Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies with Easy Swiss Meringue, too!
Ingredients
Confectioners’ Sugar: Confectioners’ sugar is not the most common type of sugar in cookie dough, but do not leave it out! It adds some texture and softness to the cookies.
Cream of Tartar: Cream of tartar is not a cream at all, but a powdery acid. It can be found in the baking aisle, near the spices at your local grocery store.
Sour Cream: An unexpected ingredient in the frosting is sour cream. It adds a little tang to each bite. Greek yogurt can be substituted if that is what you have on hand!
Food Coloring: All you need is a few drops of red food coloring for the light pink color. Of course, you could make the frosting any color you prefer!
How to Frost Sugar Cookies
This frosting is so velvety smooth and creamy and it is really easy to use! Just follow the simple steps below to achieve the perfect frosted cookie.
- Place a dollop of frosting onto an offset spatula. Then, smooth it around the center indentation of the cookie.
- For the final “swoop”, hold the offset spatially steady, turn the cookie in one direction, then turn it back in the other direction, moving the spatula slightly lower.
This technique may sound tricky, but with some practice, you’ll master it in no time!
Storing & Freezing Frosted Sugar Cookies
- After the cookies have been baked and frosted, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- You can freeze these cookies frosted or unfrosted. First, lay them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer until frozen. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to one month. Don’t forget to label and date your container!
- To freeze this cookie dough, follow the instructions for making the dough. Then, place the scooped-out dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer the frozen cookie dough to a labeled and dated airtight, freezer-safe container for up to one month.
4.60 from 25 votes
Sugar Cookie with Sugar Cookie Frosting
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Total Time 32 minutes mins
This Sugar Cookie Recipe with a pink sugar cookie frosting is my go-to recipe when I want to impress! The perfect pink frosting is swirled on top of the best basic sugar cookie… it's SO GOOD!
SavePrint Rate Comment
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (94 g) confectioners' sugar
- ¾ cup (168 g) vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 5 ½ cups (688 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Sugar Cookie Frosting
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (173 g) sour cream, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4-5 cups (440-550 g) confectioners' sugar
- red food coloring
Instructions
Sugar Cookie
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter, granulated sugar, and confectioners' sugar. Mix on medium speed until just combined.
Drizzle in oil and add eggs. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, and salt.
Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Allow the mixer to combine until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, drop the golf-ball size portions of dough onto a lined baking sheet.
Roll each cookie dough ball until it is smooth and round.
Using the bottom of a wet kitchen glass that has been pressed into granulated sugar, press down on each cookie dough ball until the center of the cookie is pressed flatter than the edges. Repeat this on all cookies.
Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until edges are just slightly starting to brown and the center no longer appears wet. Allow the cookies to cool as you make the frosting.
NOTE: It is important to NOT over-bake the cookies. Be sure to check your cookies at 7 minutes. Every oven is different and overbaking can result in a tough, crumbly, tasteless cookie. Let your first batch be a test batch so you can ensure the remaining cookies are perfect and soft!
Sugar Cookie Frosting
In a clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine butter, sour cream, and salt.
Once ingredients are fully incorporated, start adding the confectioners' sugar, about ½ cup at a time. (You may not need all 5 cups. Keep an eye on the frosting to determine when it has reached your desired consistency. If it gets too be too thick you can add milk one teaspoon at a time.)
Mix in a few drops of red food coloring for the soft pink color.
Spread the frosting onto the cooled cookies using an offset spatula or butter knife.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 261kcal
Course: Dessert
Keyword: sugar cookie frosting, sugar cookie recipe, sugar cookies
Servings: 35 cookies
Calories: 261
Author: Amanda Rettke–iambaker.net
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
Try my perfect or Easy Sugar Cookies for more fun baking!
Updated: SUGAR COOKIE TROUBLESHOOTING – everything you wanted to know about sugar cookies!
Categorized in: Cookies, Sugar Cookies
Related Recipes
Dessert
Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookie
Cookies
Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies with Ermine Frosting
Cookies
Red Velvet Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Cookies
Churro Cookies
Meet Amanda Rettke
Amanda Rettke is the creator of I Am Baker, and the bestselling author of Surprise Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion – With a Little Something Extra Inside.Over the course of her 15+ year blogging adventure, she has been featured in and collaborated with the Food Network, New York Times, LA Times, Country Living Magazine, People Magazine, Epicurious, Brides, Romantic Homes, life:beautiful, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Mail, Star Tribune, The Globe and Mail, DailyCandy, YumSugar, The Knot, The Kitchn, and Parade, to name a few.
