Soft Sugar Cookies with Creamy Icing
These soft sugar cookies feature a melt-in-your-mouth texture topped with smooth, sweet creamy icing. Perfectly soft with a slight chew, they stay tender days after baking and are easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (312 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk (whole or 2%)
- 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar (for icing)
- ¼ cup (57 grams) butter, softened (for icing)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour mixture. Mix on low speed just until combined.
- Scoop dough balls about 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets using a cookie scoop or tablespoon.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and just beginning to turn golden; centers should look slightly underbaked.
- Cool cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- For icing, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and spreadable.
- Spread icing over cooled cookies using an offset spatula or butter knife. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.
- Let icing set for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use room temperature butter for best creaming results. Do not overmix after adding flour to avoid tough cookies. Let cookies cool completely before icing to prevent melting. Store in airtight container layered with parchment paper to keep soft for days. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend. For vegan, use dairy-free butter, flax eggs, and plant-based milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 110
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 2
Keywords: soft sugar cookies, creamy icing, easy cookie recipe, holiday cookies, soft cookies, sugar cookies, homemade cookies