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READY IN 10 mins

Decorator Frosting

Read Reviews (327)

"A frosting that's perfect for sugar cookies." — P. Oakes

Ingredients Edit and Save

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Sugar Cookie Frosting

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Original recipe makes 2 cups Change Servings

2/3 cup butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
4 drops red food coloring

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Directions

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, confectioners' sugar, and milk until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and food coloring. Spread on or between cookies.

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PREP 10 mins
READY IN 10 mins

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This is the perfect Sugar Cookie frosting. I baked the "Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies" submitted by:Angie Seaman, and used this frosting with sprinkles. I have a cookie jar filled with perfectly delightful tasting cookies. They make the best combination, and I am switching to them both from now on. This frosting starts off softer on the cookies and then hardens up enough to stack them without being crunchy. Absolute perfection.

—SUNINSNOW

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Dec 08, 2003

We usually make butter cookies for the holidays that we decorate w/ colorful royal icing. This recipe did not mix well w/ food coloring, and in the end, had subtle white streaks through it. I've found that there are less ingredients in the recipe for Royal Icing, and that food coloring mixes in well to give you a smooth, uniform color, with the same sweet result as this frosting. I'm switching back to Royal Icing.

—lawavediva

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422 Ratings

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Feb 03, 2004

This frosting came out great! What I did was I divided the frosting into four different bowls after adding the vanilla extract. Then I put 2 drops of different food colorings into each bowl so I could decorate some easter sugar cookies I made. It worked out perfect and it made a lot of frosting!

—Lis

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Dec 06, 2004

We really liked this icing. It's a lot like the icing that my Mother made years ago. Only she added a bit of cream of tartar. This recipe is easy to work with as well. If you want to change the taste for something a little different try adding a little vanilla, or almond extract, even lemon extract. For a few ideas. Thanks for sharing with us!

—LAURENELYSE

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Nov 11, 2006

I have never successfully made any frosting. But this one is IT! I havled the recipe and used a fork to beat and mix. Even though it took a long time and it was exhausting, it was really worth it! I used them to decorate my gingerbread men. The best thing is the frosting hardened up overnight making the cookies possible to be stacked. #1 frosting recipe!

—Rainbow

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Dec 22, 2003

I had never made a homemade frosting for my sugar cookies before. I expected with a name like "Decorator frosting that it would be close to a royal icing or stiffer.It is not. This recipe was very good.I halfed the recipe and there was plenty to frost 3 doz. 4" heart shaped cookies. The texture was creamy smooth and not greasy or gritty. I added 1/4 teaspoon of imitation vanilla butter nut flavoring. It added a tiny bit of color and a nice flavor. My husband and two toddlers love them.Thanks!

—MIKENDREA

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Dec 19, 2003

I have used this recipe several times with a few changes. I use 1/2 shortening and 1/2 margerine and also add almond extract instead of vanilla. Use this on "Best Ever Rolled Sugar Cookies" for a wonderful treat. After frosting each cookie try dipping your frosting spatula in cold water and gently running it over the top of the frosting. This will give your cookie a shiny finish. Be careful not to wet it too much or you may end up with soggy cookies! Or gently pat it with a paper towel for a textured look.

—JAYNEO

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Jul 23, 2003

I had 4 small ones at my house this afternoon and we decided to decorate sugar cookies with this frosting. I've used this recipe several times since I first tried it and have always had good results. The texture is smooth and creamy. I've used red and yellow coloring and they've both turned out beautifully. Highly recommend!! Thanks P. Oakes

—JOSIE

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Nutrition

Calories
186 kcal
9%

Carbohydrates
30 g
10%

Cholesterol
20 mg
7%

Fat
7.7 g
12%

Fiber
0 g
0%

Protein
0.1 g
< 1%

Sodium
56 mg
2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Decorator Frosting

Serving Size: 1/16 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 16
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 186
Calories from Fat: 70

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7.7g 12 %
Saturated Fat 4.9g 24 %
Cholesterol 20mg 7 %
Sodium 56mg 2 %
Potassium 6mg < 1 %
Total Carbohydrates 30g 10 %
Dietary Fiber 0g 0 %
Protein 0.1g < 1 %
Sugars 29.5g
Vitamin A 5 %
Vitamin C < 1 %
Calcium < 1 %
Iron < 1 %
** Thiamin < 1 %
Niacin < 1 %
Vitamin B6 < 1 %
Magnesium < 1 %
Folate < 1 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.